Finnian gave her a piercing look, then walked over to the dessert shop owner, who looked so frightened he might collapse on the spot. “Give me your phone number,” Finnian said.

“Of course, yes, right away…” the owner stammered.

Although the shop owner didn’t recognize Hogan or Celeste, he definitely knew Finnian—the country’s wealthiest man, whose face often appeared on the financial news. And seeing just now how Finnian had held that woman so protectively, there had to be something special between them—were they husband and wife?

That meant he’d almost put Finnian’s partner and Finnian’s child in danger. The thought nearly made him faint with fear. If only there was such a thing as a regret pill —if he’d known he might harm people close to Finnian, he would never have accepted this kind of work…

“You two should head home as well,” Finnian said, dismissing Hogan and Celeste with a wave.

Hogan and Celeste left the hospital one after another. Once they reached the parking garage, Hogan turned around and saw Celeste crying silently, her face buried in her hands.

Her tears were so quiet, but the streaks of mascara on her cheeks showed she’d been crying for some time. Hogan sighed, feeling helpless, and gently wiped away her tears.

“Why are you crying like this?… Be honest. Was this really not your doing?”

Celeste shook her head desperately. “It really wasn’t me. Maybe before, I might have…but now we all know Amara’s baby is Finnian’s. Would I dare hurt Finnian’s child? Am I crazy?”

Celeste had done plenty of reckless things in the past, but ever since she’d returned home, she’d really changed. The restlessness and meanness were gone; she’d grown much more cautious.

Hogan studied her for another moment. She didn’t look like she was lying. He sighed and gave her a reassuring pat on the back.

“Alright, stop crying. If you didn’t do it, Finnian will find out the truth and prove your innocence.”

“You must be hungry by now. Think about what you’d like to eat and let’s get some dinner.”

After Hogan and Celeste had left, only Amara and Finnian remained in the hospital

room.

When there had been more people around, Amara hadn’t felt

anything but now that just the two of them were left, the room suddenly felt much smaller almost suffocating. She lay on her side,

facing the wall, closing her eyes and pretending to be asleep, hoping

Finnian would get the hint and leave soon.

Instead, Finnian picked her up and said, “Quit pretending. I know you’re not asleep.”

He looked down at Amara.

Her eyelashes were fluttering, quivering like butterfly wings anyone could tell she was faking sleep, and she looked especially adorable like that.

Finnian couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh and gently pinched her cheek.

Feeling the rumble of his laughter his chest, Amara became both

fassed and annoyed opening

her eyes

wasnt pretending was

just resting my eyes.”

“Alright, alright, you were just resting your eyes. My mistake, okay?”

Finnian’s voice was low, his tone almost as if he were coaxing a child, which only made Amara more flustered.

Seeing how ill at ease she was becoming, Finnian stopped teasing her. He patted her back gently. “Relax. I’m not going to do anything to you.”

“I spoke with the doctor just now. He said both you and the baby are fine. But after everything you’ve been through today, you do need to rest.”

“And don’t worry I’ll get to the bottom of this. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

Thinking back to her contractions earlier, Amara couldn’t help but feel afraid. If Hogan and Celeste hadn’t

rushed over in time and she’d been afone out on the street she didn’t even want to imagine what could have happened. Just the thought of it made her shiver. Contént