Elowen chuckled softly, covering her mouth with her hand, and then cast a lingering nce at Finnian, her eyes filled with an unmistakable invitation.


    Even though Amara had long given up on Finnian, hearing this made her deeply ufortable.


    No matter how little she might care for Finnian someday, their marriage was a fact, and watching Elowen brazenly flirt with Finnian right in front of her would be intolerable to anyone.


    With an icy stare at Elowen, Amara said bluntly, "As an older sister, do you really think it''s appropriate to say stuff like that in front of your sister?"


    "Why wouldn''t it be?" Elowen shot back immediately. "You''re just being overly sensitive."


    "Sensitive?" Amara let out a coldugh.


    Her gaze sharp enough to pierce through to one''s soul, she stepped forward and said, "Rather than calling me sensitive, maybe you should check your own behavior. If you need a man, go find one yourself. Stop going after someone else''s, especially someone so close to you. Even a fox preys farthest from the hole."


    Those words were as direct and biting as they came. Elowen''s eyes widened in shock, her body trembling. "Wh-what do you mean?"


    Amara replied icily, "Exactly what it sounds like. Can''t you understand in words?"


    Standing nearby, Fiona, usuallyposed and graceful, now wore a sour expression. She said, "Elowen was just showing some concern for you and Finnian, and yoush out with such harsh words, Ama. What''s happened to you? Where are all your manners?"


    Amara turned sharply to Fiona, her voice raised. "Say that again!"


    If it were anyone else using her of bad manners, Amara wouldn''t care. Buting from Fiona, it made her blood boil.


    "Mrs. Sullivan, why do Ick manners? Have you forgotten?"


    Amara''s blood-red eyes bore into Fiona''s, her words deliberate and


    cutting. Fiona froze, el


    el?


    clenching the strap of her


    tightly, unable to find words.


    Why did Amarack manners? Because her father didn''t care and her mother wasn''t there. Why was she without parents? Because when her mother was giving birth to her, Larry was off with Fiona.


    No matter how desperately her mother called Larry, he never came back. Her mother, stressed and alone, suffered a spike in blood pressure and an irregr heartbeat


    duringbor, even throwing up


    blood, eventually dying after exerting herself to give birth to Amara.


    Amara had never forgotten this blood debt. Fiona knew this story well enough.


    Herment about Amara''s manners was a deliberate jab at her heart.


    "Ama, calm down, I didn''t mean it like that."


    "I can''t calm down, and don''t call me Ama. You don''t have the right."


    Once upon a time, Amara could maintain a semnce ofposure in front of Fiona and Elowen, buttely, she found that restraint slipping.


    She had no desire to engage with them any longer. With a harsh re at both, she turned and walked away.


    "Mom, why is she so grumpy now?" Elowen asked incredulously, pointing at Amara''s retreating figure.


    As Amara hurried away, she caught Elowen''s words. She thought Elowen might


    be right her temper had grown. Was it the pregnancy affecting her?


    "Where are you going?"


    As she descended the stairs, Finnian caught up with her.


    "I''ll drive you home."


    "No need," Amara replied tly. "I can get back on my own."