She touched her burning cheek, staring in disbelief at Amara. "Did you just p me?"


    "Yes, I did hit you!"


    Amara hadn''t wanted to get into it, but Liliana''s twisted logic and usations pushed her over the edge.


    "Let me ask you, what is my marriage with Finnian? Is it a real marriage or just a contract? If it''s a real marriage, then Finnian was the one who cheated on me first. He is the guiltiest one, and not just that, he even had a kid with the other woman.


    I didn''t make a fuss about him having an illegitimate child out there, so why is he throwing a fit about me seeing someone else? And if it''s a contract, then we each go our own way, no interference. Even if I have someone else, so what? What''s it to you? Double standards much, huh? Don''t you feel ashamed when you spout those words?"


    Amara''s words flowed without pause, and as she finished, apuse erupted from the people around them. They eximed, "Yes, well said!"


    "Another mistress trying to unt in front of the wife, huh? Serves her right!"


    Amara was taken aback and looked around instinctively. A small group of twenty and thirty-somethings had gathered nearby, looking at her with admiration.


    Their little drama had made quite amotion, drawing a few people''s attention. Although these onlookers didn''t often surf the Net or know Amara or Liliana personally, their exchange painted a vivid picture of a scandalous drama: a morous mistress involved with the opulent husband was having a showdown with the wronged wife, who had an affair with another man.


    In their interaction, Amara''s logical argument stood strong while Liliana''s faltered, and the sensible crowd naturally sided with Amara. Seeing Amara p Liliana felt like justice, and they apuded enthusiastically.


    While Amara and the onlookers felt vindicated, Liliana couldn''t take it anymore. She sprang to her feet, covering her face, and dashed out of the café.


    With Liliana gone, Amara didn''t want to linger either. She declined the requests from people wanting to add her on WhatsApp and left the ce.


    Once outside, the cold wind hit her face, bringing her back to her senses. The more she thought about it, the more uneasy she became.


    She had acted on impulse and actually pped Liliana. This wasn''t going to just blow over, she


    spected. Amara was always wary of Finnian and Liliana''s status,


    careful not to truly unleash her anger on them. But sometimes, their


    actions were just too much to bear.


    Thest time she pped Liliana, Finnian showed up at her door to confront her. So, for the rest of the


    day, Amara was on edge, anxiously waiting for Finnian to show up.


    But a whole day passed, and there was no sign of Finnian. She was puzzled. Was Finnian too busy toe by? Or was Liliana too caught up to inform him?


    The following morning, still without any news, Amara thought maybe the incident


    had blown over, until she received a call from Liliana.


    "Amara,e to the Everly family estate. I have something important to announce."


    Amara paused, perplexed. Liliana announcing something important at the Everly family estate? What kind of authority did she have to make announcements there?


    Feeling uneasy, Amara hung up and drove to the estate. As she entered the living room, she was stunned to see it packed with people.


    It felt like Peter''s birthday party all


    over again. Peter, Bess, Martin, Andrea, their children, and all the Everly family''s inws-nearly every important family member was present.