When Finnian emerged from the main gate a little after seven in the morning and saw her standing there, a deep frown creased his brow.


    "What are you doing here?"


    Just moments before, his mind had been filled with warm, hazy memories of his night with Amara. It was the kind of life he wanted, a memory he kept reying over and over. But the sight of Liliana shattered the illusion, bringing the bitter reality of his mother''s betrayal crashing back down on him. His mood soured instantly.


    Liliana, however, misinterpreted his frown as a sign of concern for her pitiful state. A flicker of joy ignited within her. "Finn, I came to exin what happened yesterday," she said quickly.


    Finnian stared at her coldly, saying nothing. Undeterred, sheunched into her prepared speech.


    "Last night was all Mrs. Everly''s idea. I had no idea what she was nning! She just called me and said you had been drugged and asked if I would be willing to help you. Of course, I said yes-I care about you so much! And I''d helped you once before, remember?"


    She paused for effect. "So I came over. I had no idea you would wake up and... and push me away like that. Finn, I honestly didn''t know the full situation. If I had, I never would havee."


    As she spoke, tears welled in her eyes, making her look genuinely wronged and heartbroken.


    So, ording to her, his mother was the sole mastermind, and Liliana was just an innocent, unwitting pawn? Another victim in this whole mess?


    Finnian''s expression remained grim. He didn''t seem to believe her, but he didn''t seem to disbelieve her either. "You''ve been waiting here all night?" he asked.


    "Yes. I couldn''t b bear the thought of you misunderstanding me. I had to exin everything as soon as you came out," she said, her voice thick with sincerity. All the while, she was studying his face, trying to guess what had happened between him and Amarast night. He had obviously gone to the estate to find Amara, and what could he haven done with her in his state? The thought sent a surge of blistering jealousy through her. She clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug into her palms.


    Finally, Finnian spoke. "You''re not well to begin with, and now you''ve caught a chill. Go home."


    "But about this whole thing..."


    "It''s over," he cut her off. He had no way of verifying her story, but since Emma''s plot had failed, he had no desire to pursue the matter further.


    Liliana let out a sigh of relief. It seemed he was willing to believe her. While she hadn''t gained anything fromst night''s fiasco, at least she hadn''t made things


    worse.


    On her way home, Liliana called


    Emma and recounted the version of events she had fed to Finnian. "I''me"""" so sorry, Mrs. Everly," she said, her _voice dripping with false guilt had to put all the me on you. If I didn''t, Finn would hate me. But you''re his mother. He won''t hold a grudge against you for long."


    Emma was, of course, furious at being made the scapegoat, but after a moment''s thought, she realized it was the only logical move. The one thing they couldn''t afford was Finnian hating Liliana. How would they ever get married then?


    Suppressing her anger, she said, "It''s fine. As long as Finn doesn''t me you.


    That''s all for now. I''m hanging up."


    "Okay, goodbye, Mrs. Everly."


    Though the call was over, Emma''s mind was still churning.