"Elysia, if you decide you can''t be with him anymore, you cane to me," Lucian said softly, releasing her. He looked at her, his expression serious.


    Elysia was stunned for a moment, then sheughed and yfully smacked the back of his head. "What kind of nonsense is that, you little punk? I''m years older than you. I can be your big sister, that''s about it."


    As a beautiful and talented woman, Elysia had received countless confessions over the years, but this was the first time one had made her blush. Maybe it was because he was so young.


    She yfully pushed him again, but Lucian''s expression remained earnest. "I''m not a little punk,” he insisted, which only made Elysiaugh harder, causing his cheeks to turn bright red.


    ***


    Finnian brought Amara back to his apartment. He gently set her down on the sofa and rummaged through a cab until he found a first-aid kit. He came back to her, dabbed a cotton ball with antiseptic to clean the wound, and then carefully applied a soothing ointment. After spreading it evenly with a cotton swab, he leaned in and blew on it softly. "Does it hurt?"


    His series of gentle, meticulous actions made Amara deeply ufortable. She lowered her eyes. "No."


    He nced at her, then pressed a small gauze pad over the cut and secured it with medical tape. The entire process was so careful, so tender, it made her heart tremble. Why was he doing this? He was with Liliana now. Why was he still being so kind to her?


    She bit her lip and looked up at him. "Are you really marrying Liliana?"


    Finnian hadn''t expected the question. He frowned. "Where did you hear that?" "Where would I hear it? It''s all over town."


    Her voice held a note of hurt she wasn''t even aware of, but it was so quiet that Finnian missed it. He stood up abruptly. "It''s not what you think between Liliana and me. We..."<fnd40e> Th?s chapter is updated by find?novel</fnd40e>


    His words ignited a spark of anger in Amara. Not what she thought? As if there was nothing between them? What a joke. Anyone with eyes could see how he doted on her why else would he, a man who couldn''t be emotionally ckmailed, rush to her side the moment he heard she was suicidal?


    Amara closed her eyes and cut him off. "You don''t have to exin, Mr. Everly. I don''t want to hear it."


    Her tone was frigid. If Finnian had been sober, he would have recognized that she was angry. But he was on edge, still rattled from worrying about her, and his mind wasn''t clear. He only heard her dismissal.


    A surge of frustration rose in him.


    He reached out and tilted her chin


    up. "You don''t care?" Only someone who was truly indifferent would Sound so annoyed if he were to really marry Liliana, would it mean nothing to her?


    "Amara, do you not care if I marry Liliana?" he pressed, forcing her to meet his gaze.


    The question was was like a needle to


    her heart. She knew that deep down, she did care. She hadn''t forgotten himpletely. She didn''t want him to marry someone else. But what good would admitting that do? Me was going to be with Liliana anyway. So why was he torturing her with this question?


    She refused to let him see her pain. She lifted her chin defiantly. "Why would I care who you marry, Mr. Everly? So, is it official? Are you and Ms. Porter getting together? If so, congrattions."