He only wanted to figure out why Liliana was here and deal with her as quickly as possible.

Liliana could clearly sense his indifference. She clenched the bedsheet in her hands, forcing herself to swallow her sadness, and said, “Finn, I’m here to apologize

to you.”

She lifted her face to look at Finnian. “I know I was really wrong. I’ve thought it all over these past few days, and I realize now just how big a mistake I made…”

“Finn, will you forgive me? I only did those things because I loved you so much…”

“You don’t need to say any of this,” Finnian interrupted. “I’ve been looking into some things recently, and I learned about things you did in the past. For example, three years ago at the Everly Estate—you used my aunt’s child to push Amara into the water.”

Liliana’s breath caught in her throat. He’d managed to find out about something that happened so long ago? Honestly, she’d nearly forgotten about it herself…

Back then, Amara had just married Finnian. Even though Amara had been disfigured and Finnian never came home to see her, Liliana was still overwhelmed with jealousy. So during a party at the Everly Estate, she bribed a boy-mean-spirited and reckless-to help her push Amara into the water…

Over the years, she’d tried to harm Amara many times. Some of her attempts had worked, others hadn’t. Did Finnian know all of it?

Liliana pinched herself hard, forcing herself to calm down. Then she hurried forward and grabbed onto Finnian’s arm.

“Finn, I admit I’ve done a lot of terrible things—I won’t deny it. But I also know how to own my mistakes and change. I swear I’ll never act like that again. Finn, please, don’t hate me…”

As she spoke, her tears fell steadily. She clung tightly to Finnian’s sleeve, refusing to let go, resting her head against his arm so that, from a distance, it would look like the two of them were embracing.

“You can’t imagine how much I love you. Do you remember when I risked my life to save you?”

Even as Finnian tried to push her away, Liliana only gripped him more tightly, her tear-filled eyes looking up at his face.

“I know I’m not a good person, but that time, I truly was willing to give up my own life to save you.”

“These years, my obsession with being with you is what led me to make so many mistakes. I was just lost. I promise it won’t happen again.”

“Finn, please forgive me one more time, okay? I’m not asking you to take me back, just… please don’t hate me…”

She repeated these words again and again, tears streaming down her face, the picture of someone heartbreakingly devoted.

кеч

Finnian’s brow furrowed deeper. He had been trying to push Liliana away all along, but she clung to hina so

tightly that he couldn’t self.

He finally lost his patience, gripped Liliana’s arm, and forcefully pulled her off. “I know you nearly gave your

life and and truly

grateful. Over the years, I’ve repaid you as best as I could. What more do you want from me?”

His words hit home, and Liliana’s heart skipped a beat.

Was Finnian warning her not to try to use his gratitude against him?

Truthfully, Finnian had helped her countless times over the years, and he had done a lot for the Porter family as well. Without Finnian, she wouldn’t be who she was today.

Even if she had once saved his life, he had already repaid that debt, many times

over.

So now, was Finnian just completely done with her?