Finnian didn''t answer, his gaze fixed on her. Just as Amara''s patience was wearing thin, he finally spoke. "While you''re traveling, if you run into any trouble, call me. I''ll help you."


    "Don''t be so quick to refuse," he added, anticipating her reaction. "I know that, strictly speaking, we have no rtionship now. But Grandpa sees you as his own granddaughter. If something were to happen to you, he would be devastated."


    "So if you need anything, you have to call me. Just... pretend you''re calling for Grandpa''s sake."


    Finnian had read her perfectly. Her first instinct was to refuse his offer, but by bringing Mr. Kevin Everly into it, he had left her with no choice. "I understand," she nodded.


    It was just a polite titude. If she were really in trouble, she would call her friends first, never him.


    And even if she did have a connection to his grandfather, what did it matter? He was about to be engaged to Liliana.


    A man on the verge of engagement shouldn''t be entangled with his ex-wife. It was wrong, and Amara would never be the one to impose on him.


    The thought that he might actually marry Liliana sent that strange, inexplicable ache through her heart again.


    She couldn''t bear to talk to him any longer, fearing the pain would only worsen. "I''m leaving now," she said.


    Without waiting for a reply, she walked out of the vi.


    Finnian stood frozen, watching her leave without a single backward nce.


    Why was she in such a hurry to go? Was she so unwilling to spare even a few more moments for him?


    A dull ache spread through his chest, widening until it felt like a gaping hole, bleeding him out from the inside. The pain was unbearable.


    Lisa saw that Amara was long gone, but Finnian was still standing there, his face pale, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles were white.


    was clearly in agony but tryin T


    desperately to hide it. Her heart went out to him. "Finn," she said softly, "forgive me for overstepping, but if you love Ms. Sullivan, you should ask her to stay."


    "I think she used to have feelings for you. If you just pleaded with her..."


    "Lisa, that''s enough," Finnian cut her off.


    It wasn''t that simple between them. His eyes downcast, he turned and left without another word.


    Watching his retreating back, Lisa sighed. These young people...


    It was after ten at night. Normally, Finnian would have gone back to his apartment or stayed at the main house. Instead, he drove back to the office.


    Will was just about to head home when he saw Mr. Everly stride into the office, his face a


    thundercloud. "M Everly get


    are


    you doing back?"


    Just half an hour ago, he had been briefing Mr. Everly when his boss received a text mis, expression Co


    Cdramatically, and he had


    grabbed his jacket and bolted.


    Will had assumed it was an emergency and that he wouldn''t be back for the rest of the night.


    Finnian tossed his jacket onto a chair. "I''m going to work a little longer. You can go home."


    He sat down and immediately picked up a document, his focus intense.