Emma took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. "I want Finn to marry Liliana."


    So it was about their son. Andrew frowned. "Didn''t Dad say he wouldn''t allow Liliana to marry into this family?"


    "I have a way to handle that. You don''t need to worry about it," Emma said dismissively.


    After today''s confrontation, she was more determined than ever to see Liliana marry Finnian. If he ended up with that sharp-tongued little bitch Amara, the stress would probably kill her on the wedding day.


    Andrew''s frown deepened. He didn''t trust Emma''s judgment, but he had long since washed his hands of family matters. He said nothing more and walked away.


    Emma knew he wouldn''t object. The man saved all his energy for the parade of mistresses he kept on the side; he couldn''t care less about his son. As for Mr. Kevin Everly''s disapproval... a dark glint appeared in her eyes. It didn''t matter. She would find a way.


    ***


    Over the next few days, Amara searched for a destination for her "trip?—a ce where she could live quietly until the baby was born. After careful consideration, she settled on Zion, a city about two hundred and fifty miles from Wye. Her n was to buy a house there first and move as soon as the purchase wasplete. She was already looking at properties and packing her things, hoping to time it so she could leave the moment the house was hers.


    That evening, Elysia came over to help her pack and brought a piece of gossip. "Ama, have you heard? Finnian and Liliana are getting married."


    Amara, who was folding a shirt, paused for a fraction of a second. She carefully ced the folded shirt in her travel bag before asking, "Is that so?"


    "It is," Elysia said, watching her friend''s back. "I heard Emma already went to the Porter family to formally propose the match. Her parents agreed."


    Amara pressed her lips together, a dull ache spreading through her chest.


    Elysia came over and looped an arm through hers. "Finnian isn''t all that great anyway. There are plenty of men out there a hundred times better than wim I''ll introduce you to Someone wonderful."


    Amara knew Elysia was just trying tofort her. She forced a smile and nodded. She hadn''tpletely gotten over Finnian, she knew that, but she believed she would one day. Things would be better once the baby arrived wouldn''t they? Her


    her<fnb9bd> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? find{n}ovel</fnb9bd>


    world would revolve around her


    child, and she wouldn''t have time for


    foolish thoughts of love and


    romance.


    Just then, Elysia''s phone buzzed. The name "Hubby" shed on the screen, and an expression of pure annoyance crossed her face. Amara nced at the screen. "Dorian?"


    "Yeah. I should probably get this." Despite her growing resentment, they were still married. Elysia answered the call. "Spit it out," she said, her tone harsh.


    Dorian was taken aback by her bluntness. "I''m here to pick you up," he said, his voice clipped. "Come downstairs."


    Elysia''s fingers tightened around her phone. She hadn''t told Dorian she wasing to Amara''s. For him to call and tell her toe down instead of asking where she was could only mean one thing.


    "Are you following me?" she demanded, fury rising in her voice.