She could love a man she could never have in secret, but she would not lose her self-respect over it. Amara''s hand instinctively went to her stomach. "The only one I love now," she said, her voice steady, "is the baby in my belly."


    A tremor ran through Finnian''s body. He gripped her wrist, the words catching in his throat. *Why don''t you love me anymore?* But he knew it was a pointless question. Does love need a reason? Probably not. So, falling out of love didn''t need one either.


    Amara''s loose-fitting nightgown concealed her pregnancy, but when she ced her hand on her abdomen, it created a gentle, unmistakable curve. Contrasted with her slender arms and legs, the swell was pronounced.


    The sight drained the remaining color from Finnian''s face. She was pregnant. Of course she loved the child growing inside her. Why else would she choose to have it? But what about the man who put it there? How did she feel about him?


    He gripped her wrist tighter, the question tearing out of him before he could stop it. "And do you love him?"


    He didn''t specify who "him" was, but in that moment, Amara knew exactly who he meant. She looked up sharply, her eyes meeting his. *You fool,* she thought, her heart aching. *The ''him'' you''re asking about is you.*


    But he didn''t know. Amara couldn''t bring herself to deny it. The love she still felt for him was lodged in her throat. Her brief hesitation was all the confirmation he needed. She loved the father of her child. Of course she did. Why else would she carry his baby?


    A fresh wave of agony ripped through Finnian''s chest. He felt his whole body tremble, even his lips. But wasn''t this his own fault? She had loved him once, but for three long years, he had neglected her, pushed her away, and created this very oue.


    He pulled her into his arms again. She stiffened for a moment, but he held on tighter, his voice a broken whisper in her ear. "Amara, you have to be happy."


    Amara froze. Then, without warning, tears began to stream down her face. His words had broken through her defenses, unleashing a torrent of emotion she didn''t fully understand, She quickly wiped the tears away stopping the flow as fast as it had started.


    Thankfully, Finnian was too lost in his own despair to notice. He released her and she stared down at hest?es, unsure what he was thinking. Suddenly, he turned and walked out, the sound of the door closing behind him echoing the finality of their conversation.


    ***


    Finnian walked aimlessly down the road, the biting night wind doing nothing to numb the cold in his heart. He eventually found himself at a small gazebo, a ce he used to y in as a child. He sat down and puffed out his phone, sending a short text to Emma: *I agree.*


    He had finally surrendered. It wasn''t just Emma''s threats-that was merely the catalyst. The real reason was Liliana herself, and the guilt he still carried over what had happened all those years ago.


    He looked out at the distant, darkndscape. This was it, then. This was how it would be between him and Amara from now on. The pain was so intense it was beginning to feel like numbness.


    ***


    Despite thete hour, Emma was wide awake. The banquet had created a mountain of follow-up tasks, but anxiety was the real reason for her insomnia.