Liliana felt a prickle of difort but knew there was nothing she could do about it.


    She was a woman with a remarkable ability to self-regte. Her smile returned instantly as she took a few pastries from the box and ced them in front of Finnian, telling him to eat something. Then, as if it were an afterthought, she asked, "Finn, when are we going to get our marriage license?"


    The date for the ceremony was set, but not the date for the legal registration. After all, only the license made it legally binding, a detail that was very important to Liliana.


    To her shock, Finnian replied coldly, "We''re only having a ceremony. We''re not getting a license."


    Liliana wasn''t sure she heard him right, or perhaps she didn''t want to believe it. "Finn, what did you say?" she asked again.


    Finnian set down the document he was holding and looked up at her. "We''re not getting a license."


    This time, Liliana heard him clearly. The color drained from her lips, so much so that her lipstick couldn''t hide her pallor.


    So Finnian had only agreed to a wedding ceremony?


    She clutched his sleeve, her smile strained. "Finn, why aren''t we getting a license? Don''t you want to marry me legally?"


    Finnian didn''t have time for this. "It''s not urgent. I have work to do. You should go."


    He stared at her,pletely ignoring her pale face. The message was clear: get out.


    Liliana''sposure was shattered, but she knew that causing a scene here was the worst possible move.


    She collected herself, managed a small smile for Finnian, and left the office.


    The moment she was outside, her expression crumbled.


    So Finnian wouldn''t legally marry her. What kind of marriage was that?


    A grand ceremony was important, but at the end of the day, the license was what truly mattered.


    He had been willing to legally marry Amara for that ridiculous ritual to improve his grandfather''s health, so why not her? He hadn''t liked Amara then, either, even if he didn''t like her


    now.


    After leaving the Everly Group, Finnian didn''t go back to work. He


    rose and walked to the window


    staring out at the blue sky and white clouds, his eyes cid.


    He realized he just couldn''t go through with it.


    Liliana wanted a title, and he could give her that. But he couldn''t give her anything else. So this was how it had to be.


    Walking briskly away from the Everly Group, Liliana was a mess of anger and sorrow.


    Did Finnian refuse to get a license because he despised her that much?


    If they weren''t legally married, did that mean they wouldn''t share a bed either?


    The thought made her clench her jaw. She had no mind for anything else.


    After some consideration, Liliana went to find Emma and told her about Finnian''s refusal.


    Emma was furious. She mmed


    her hand on the table. "How can that


    bastardson of mine bes


    disobedient? Who has a wedding without getting a license? What on


    earth is going through his head!"


    *Amara*, Liliana thought, but she kept it to herself, merely lowering her head. "Emma, what should we do?"


    She hade to Emma hoping she would intervene.


    Emma did not disappoint. "Don''t you worry. I''ll go talk to him. I will convince him."


    Liliana knew Emma couldn''t *convince* Finnian of anything. But she might be able to *threaten* him.


    But whether it was through persuasion or threats, all that mattered was that they get legally married.