He''d just made that phone call in the kitchen, where it was so quiet that Amara had to have overheard Finnian''s words. What must she be thinking now?


    Sure enough, Amara had heard everything. She never would have guessed that Finnian and Emma had rushed out of the Everly estate only to have dinner with the Porters.


    For both families'' parents to share a meal-it could only mean they were discussing marriage.


    Of course, Finnian''s status meant that such a decision wouldn''t be made hastily, but the fact that they were even sitting down together was a clear sign of where things were heading.


    A sharp, stabbing pain flickered through Amara''s chest, but her expression didn''t change. The only hint was the faintest trace of a mocking smile at the corner of her lips.


    She turned back to the counter and resumed preparing dinner. She was only halfway through the meal, and now she''d have to finish it alone and bring it up to Mr. Kevin Everly.


    After all, the whole point of making this meal with Finnian had always been for Mr. Kevin Everly''s sake. Since Finnian was gone, Amara would simply fulfill her duty to him by herself.


    Hogan, who had been watching from the doorway, was puzzled. Amara hadn''t reacted at all to the news that Finnian and the Porters were having dinner together. She''d given a small, sardonic smile and gone right back to cooking.


    He approached her, curiosity getting the better of him. "Finnian''s out to dinner with the Porters. Doesn''t that bother you?"


    "Why should it?" Amara replied, barely ncing at him.


    "..."


    Well, she''d never seemed to care much about Finnian. It made sense that she wouldn''t be upset over something like this.


    Watching her work at the stove, Hogan remembered how she and Finnian had been cooking together just moments ago. He couldn''t help but ask, "What were you two making, anyway?"


    "Dinner," Amara said simply. "For Grandpa."


    Hogan paused, surprised. So Finnian had really been cooking for his grandfather.


    He rubbed his chin thoughtfully and left the kitchen.<fn8bb4> ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? Find★Novel</fn8bb4>


    Soon, Amara finished up-a simple spread of four dishes and a soup-and called Lisa over to help carry everything upstairs.


    The weather had been chillytely, and Mr. Kevin Everly didn''t like to move around much, preferring to eat in his room. Today there was a small round table set up in his bedroom for dinner.


    Amara and Lisa set the dishes down one by one, and after Lisa left, Amara sat down to eat with Mr. Kevin Everly.


    Everything on the table was his favorite, and when he heard that Amara and Finnian had cooked it themselves, he was clearly delighted.


    But the memory of the servant''s earlier report-that Finnian and Emma had left together—still rankled. He frowned and asked, "Where did Finn go?"


    "He went out with Mrs. Emma Everly. They''re having dinner with the Porters," Amara replied evenly picking up a piece of meat and eating it slowly, her face calm.


    With a sharp tter, Mr. Kevin Everly pped his fork down on the table. "How could he go have dinner with the Porters? It''s bad enough he keeps getting mixed up with that actress now he''s tangled up getting with her whole family! What is Finn thinking?"


    Amara gently patted his back, then picked up his fork and ced it back in his hand. "Mr. Everly, Finn isn''t confused. He knows exactly what he''s doing."


    That''s precisely why Finnian was always so decisive-because he was perfectly clear about what he wanted, even if it meant hurting others.


    "Please don''t get upset, Grandpa. He''s an adult now, and he has his own ideas. No one else can change his mind."


    Her words were sincere and steady. Mr. Kevin Everly let out a long sigh. "He''s be such a disappointment to me."