"Finn, I brought you something to eat. You''ve been working so hardtely, you need to keep your strength up."


    Liliana smiled, pulling a container from her purse and cing it on the coffee table.


    Then, she looked at Amara on the opposite sofa. "Oh, Ms. Sullivan, you''re here. Did you need to see Finn about something?"


    The moment she saw Liliana, Amara felt a sharp pang in her chest and clenched her fists.


    *Liliana and Finnian are getting married soon. They''re a couple now.*


    *It''s perfectly normal for a couple to bring each other food and show they care. There''s no reason for this to upset me,* she told herself repeatedly.


    Slowly, she rxed her hands. "I just needed Mr. Everly''s help with something, but it''s sorted out. Now that you''re here, Ms. Porter, I won''t disturb you two. I''ll be on my way."


    As she stood to leave, Finnian''s pupils contracted, his eyes drawn to her.


    For a moment, he truly hated Liliana. *Why did she have toe now?*


    Liliana caught the change in Finnian''s expression. Seeing how much he cared about Amara made her seethe with hatred, but she couldn''t let it show.


    Amara was already on her feet. Liliana''s eyes darted around for a moment before she also stood. "You hardly ever visit, Ms. Sullivan. Let me see you out."


    As she rose to escort Amara, her ankle suddenly twisted in her high heels. With a small cry, she stumbled and fell against Finnian.


    Finnian instinctively reached out, intending to push her away, but Liliana grabbed his shoulders, making it look as though he was embracing her.


    Amara witnessed the scene, digging her nails into her palms to keep herposure.


    By then, Finnian had pushed Liliana off him. But Liliana, anticipating kis move, quickly steadied herself against the sofa, making it appear as if she had stood up on herown rather than being shoved away.


    "I''m so sorry, I lost my footing. How embarrassing," Liliana said to Amara with a smile.


    Amara''s heart felt like it was soaking in acid, but her expression remained unchanged. She simply nodded at Liliana and left.


    Once the office was quiet, Finnian looked up, his eyes cold. "Why did you do that?"


    His tone was calm, but with him, the calmer his voice, the deeper his anger.


    Liliana''s heart sank. She hadn''t expected him to see through her act, nor for him to react so strongly.


    Her mind raced, and she quickly put on a hurt expression. "Finn I''m sorry, F?ldn''t do it on purpose I was just..


    I was so scared."


    "I love you so much, and we''ve finally gotten a chance to be together. I''m terrified


    that you''ll go back to Ms. Sullivan one day..."


    Liliana had always believed that


    even if Finnian didn''t love her, he at least felt some pity for her. She was, sure that if she appeared pitiful and wronged, he would sympathize.


    But Finnian''s gaze remained harsh. He stood up abruptly. "Don''t do that again."


    With that, he strode past her and out of the office.


    Liliana stared after him, stunned.


    *What was that about? He didn''t even want to stay and talk to me? Where is he going?*