Finnian''s voice was low, almost heavy. "You really can''t tell how he feels about you?"


    He stepped closer, herding Amara back until she was pressed against the window ledge.


    Now, if he moved even an inch nearer, he''d have herpletely pinned.


    It was the dead of night. The grand hally deserted, nothing but the two of them


    and shadows stretching across polished wood. Amara felt a strange, unspoken threat coil between them.


    She ran a hand over her arm, the goosebumps prickling her skin. "He''s just a friend, nothing more. I don''t know why you keep insisting he has feelings for me, Mr. Everly. He really doesn''t."


    Her tone was unwavering, but Finnian caught her chin in his hand, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Do you honestly believe you understand men better than I do?"


    That made Amaraugh—sharp, incredulous. She twisted her face from his grip, shaking his hand off with a mocking little smile.


    "I might not understand men, but I know my friends. I don''t know why you keep misreading things between us, but I''d appreciate it if you stopped, Mr. Everly."<fn49c0> Newest update provided by Find~Novel</fn49c0>


    With that, she pushed past him, her anger bristling, and stormed out.


    Finnian watched her go, his eyes fixed on her retreating back, unable—or unwilling to look away.


    Only after he finally left did Hogan, who''d been hiding in the kitchen, quietly slip out. He reyed the scene he''d just witnessed, lips pursed in thought.


    So Finnian''s really fallen for Amara, huh? And from what he''d heard, it wasn''t a recent thing-Finnian had been smitten even before Amara took off her mask. If he loved her then, when she was still hiding her scars, it had to be the real deal. What on earth was it about Amara that drew him in?


    Whatever the reason, Finnian''s feelings were genuine, Hogan was certain of that. But now Finnian was with Liliana. Was it because of her desperate act-slitting her. wrists that he''d made the


    ch


    Or was it about the baby Liliana


    never had?


    s


    Hogan''s thoughts grew tangled and troubled as he remembered that the baby had never existed, yet Finnian was still in the dark. The urge toe clean-to tell him the truth-gnawed at Hogan.


    The next morning, Hogan made his way to Liliana''s lounge.


    He sent Nora and the others away, then fixed Liliana with a steady gaze. "You told me you wanted to exin the truth about your fake pregnancy to Finnian, but you never did, did you?"


    Liliana had prepared to greet Hogan as usual, polite and charming, but his blunt words wiped the smile from her face.


    Cursing Hogan inwardly, she forced herself to think fast, mind racing.


    She schooled her features into remorse. "Hogan, I know I promised to tell Finn the truth, but I just couldn''t go through with it. I kept him in the dark.”


    She dropped her eyes and lowered her voice, sounding truly pitiful. "But I had no choice if Finn ever finds out what really happened, he''lHeave me can''t bear for it to end that way."  s


    For a moment, Hogan almost felt sorry for her.


    But then he remembered the way Finnian had looked at Amara the night before-


    all longing, all tenderness—and his resolve hardened again.


    "I get it, but I can''t stand by and let Finnian live a lie. I don''t care if you two stay together, but he deserves to know the truth." Hogan''s voice was calm but unyielding.


    He stood, facing her squarely. "You need to tell him you were never really pregnant. If Finnian truly cares for you, I don''t believe that will change anything."


    What had gotten into Hogan? He''d never been anyone''s moralpass before, not by a long shot. Now here he was, stubbornly insisting on. honesty for Finnian''s sake. Liljapa could have screamed-she''d never hated anyone more.  s