Chapter 471

Only after she had left did Emma realize she had failed. She had gone there to confront Amara, to make her pay for the rebellious things Finnian had said to her things she blamed entirely on Amara’s influence. But instead of putting the girl in her place, she had been the one threatened. It was a complete humiliation.

But Amara was already gone. There was nothing to do but swallow her pride and seethe.

“Mrs. Everly, what did you and Amara talk about?” Liliana asked, linking her arm with Emma’s.

Emma wasn’t about to admit she had lost face to Amara. “Nothing important,” she said dismissively. “Let’s get back to looking at houses p>

Liliana’s face lit up. Emma had brought her here to look for a house—a marital home for her and Finnian. Liliana had always known Emma was fond of her, but she hadn’t realized the extent of it. Picking out their marital home together felt like a dream come true.

But as they continued, a sliver of doubt crept in. Would she and Finnian ever actually get married? Emma was incredibly enthusiastic, but Finnian remained stubbornly opposed to the idea. What if it never happened?

“Mrs. Everly,” she asked tentatively, “does Finn know we’re looking at houses for… for us p>

Emma, when she wasn’t in a rage, was quite shrewd. She understood Liliana’s underlying anxiety. Patting her hand reassuringly, she said, “Don’t you worry. Finn will marry you. Things have been too chaotic lately for me to have a proper talk with him. Once I sit him down and put my foot down as his mother, he won’t dare to resist p>

“Okay,” Liliana said, her hope renewed. “I’ll be waiting for your good news p>

That evening, Amara returned to the Everly estate, had dinner with Mr. Kevin Everly, and settled in the living room with a book. Around eight o’clock, Finnian walked in. She looked up, surprised. Will had said he had a meeting tonight and wouldn’t be back until eleven. If she’d known he’d be home this early, she would have stayed in her room.

“You’re back, Mr. Everly.” As a guest in his home, she felt obligated to be polite and stood to greet him.

Finnian nodded, poured himself a glass of water, and sat on the sofa. “You’re looking to buy a house p>

Amara was taken aback. How did he know that? Did he also know she had been out viewing a property today?

“Yes. Since I’ve decided to settle in Wye, I thought I should have a place of my own p>

Finnian held the glass, his deep eyes fixed on her, his thoughts

unreadable. The silence stretched and Amara grew nervous. Just as she was about to make an excuse to go upstairs, Finnian put his glass down. “Come with me p>

Amara frowned. “Where are we going? It’s getting late p>

Bet

“It’s only eight. It’s not late.” He cut her off, standing his ground, his gaze insistent. He wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

Was it her imagination, or was there a hint of softness in his eyes? She

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hoped she was wrong. Or maybe a small part of her hoped she wasn’

She looked down. “Okay,” she whispered. Thrown off balance by that flicker of

vulnerability, she had agreed without thinking.