Chapter 357

Amara struggled, trying to push him away, but Finnian pinned her against the door, kissing her with a force that bordered on roughness. His kiss was insistent, almost desperate, as if he couldn’t hold back anymore.

He’d kissed her before, but always through a barrier-never like this. This was the first time Finnian tasted Amara’s lips for real, and it was even more intoxicating than he’d imagined. He started out intending just a brief touch, but found himself losing control, unable to pull away.

Amara’s panic mounted. She shoved at his chest, trying to escape, but all she managed were muffled protests against his mouth. Frustration flared inside her.

She couldn’t take it anymore. With a burst of strength, she slapped Finnian hard across the face. Only then did he finally release her.

Her lips were flushed, like ripe berries, glistening and inviting. Tears shimmered in her eyes, making her look heartbreakingly alluring, but her voice trembled with anger as she accused him, “Finnian, you’ve gone too far p>

Finnian knew he’d crossed a line. He caught her hand, his voice regretful. “I’m sorry. I lost control p>

Lost control? As if that was an excuse!

Amara’s anger boiled over. If she weren’t worried she couldn’t win in a fight with him, she would have slapped him again.

“Amara, please don’t be mad.” Finnian braced one hand against the wall, leaning in as if to envelop her in his arms. “If you’d just give me a chance, I promise I’d never let you get hurt again p>

Hurt? Was he remembering the three years of pain he’d put her through? Amara couldn’t bear the thought of going back to that kind of life, not even with his promises. She’d had enough.

Besides, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Finnian and Liliana would never truly be over. There was always some thread tying them together, and Amara refused to be the third person in their story.

“Mr. Everly, just don’t want to be

with you,” she said firmly. “It’s

not

only never feel safe with you p>

There’s also Ms. Porter s

At the mention of Liliana, Finnian’s jaw tightened.

He started to reply, but his phone rang. It was Jenny-she never called unless it

was urgent. He picked up. “What’s wrong p>

“Finn, it’s bad Liliana tried to kill herself!” Jenny’s voice was frantic, echoing through the stairwell like a hammer blow. The shock hit both of them bard Amara’s eyes went wide, and Finnian’s expression turned to stone. s

Liliana tried to kill herself? How could this be happening?

“I have to go,” Finnian said, his demeanor shifting instantly. The charged, hazy

tension between them vanished, replaced by cold detachment.

Without waiting for Amara’s response, he turned and strode quickly down the stairs.

Amara watched his retreating figure, fists clenched tight at her sides. Instinctively, she took a few steps after him, but stopped herself.

Back home, Amara replayed

everything in her mind, sadness

weighing her down. She couldn’t tell

whether she was more upset by

Finnian’s forceful kiss or by the way he’d left her behind without a second thought. Maybe it was both. s

Either way, she felt profoundly disrespected by his actions, by his words, by everything he did.

That realization sparked an anger in her she’d never felt before. In that moment, Amara decided she never wanted anything to do with Finnian again.