The neglect and pain he''d caused Amara during those three years had created a chasm between them that could never be erased.


    Now, another man was about to fill that void, and the thought was unbearable.


    If Keith could give Amara the wedding she never had, she would only grow fonder of him. The possibility made Finnian''s heart ache.


    Amara had been angry, but seeing Finnian''s dejected expression, she felt a pang of his sadness and her own mood soured.


    Biting her lip, she decided she didn''t want to talk to him anymore and turned to leave.


    But Finnian grabbed her arm. "Amara."


    She was forced to stop on the stairs. "Is there something else, Mr. Everly?" she asked.


    Finnian opened his mouth but didn''t know what to say.


    He had nothing to ask; he just didn''t want her to leave but had no reason to make her stay. They stood frozen on the stairs in an awkward, strange silence.


    Just then, the vi''s front door opened. A middle-aged man in a casual suit walked in, ced his keys on the entryway console, and began changing his shoes.


    It was Andrew. Amara had never liked the unreliable man, and now that she knew about his sordid affair with Fiona, she disliked him even more. She pulled her arm from Finnian''s grasp, intent on leaving.


    Andrew had already spotted them, his gaze shifting between her and Finnian, who were standing close together. "Finished dinner?" he asked. "Why are you two talking on the stairs?"


    Every time Andrew saw Amara, his eyes lingered on her beautiful face for a few seconds too long, which always made Finnian ufortable.


    He shifted to block Amara from view and gave her a gentle push, signaling for her to


    go back to her room. "We''re done," he said coldly.


    "Amara, I hear you''re getting married, is that right?"


    Andrew walked over, seemingly


    oblivious to the annoyance on their faces de grinned. "You chose that young man from the West family He''s a good-looking fellow. You two were always close, weren''t you?"


    Amara despised Andrew and had no desire to speak with him, intending to go straight upstairs. But then she remembered the affair between him and Fona. An idea sparked, and she paused. "Yes, we are getting married," she said.


    "Have you introduced Keith to your parents?" Andrew asked. "He''s a great catch in every respect. Your parents must be very pleased with him."


    Amara''s lips curled into a sarcastic smile.


    "What do you mean by that, Mr. Everly? My mother died in childbirth. I only have a father."


    His eyes darted around for a moment before he chuckled and pped his own mouth lightly.


    "Look at me, running my mouth. Fiona is just your stepmother, not your real mother, of course. My apologies, my dear."


    His slick, insincere tone disgusted Amara, while Finnian was already seething with anger, his fists clenched and ready tosh out.


    Amara secretly squeezed his arm, signaling him not to lose his temper.


    The feeling of her soft fingers on his arm sent a tingling sensation through him, instantly soothing most of his anger.


    Still, he didn''t want her talking to Andrew any longer, so he gave her arm a gentle squeeze in return, urging her to wrap it up and leave.


    Amara ignored his signal and turned to Andrew with a look of feigned confusion. "How do you know my stepmother''s name, Mr. Everly? Even my grandfather doesn''t know it. Do you know her, perhaps?"