He had woken up just after four this morning, quietly made his way to the kitchen, turned on the light, and started cooking.


    Amara didn''t know what time Finnian had gotten up, but seeing as he had prepared all of this himself, she knew it must have been in the dead of night. Why would he wake up so early to make a huge breakfast? Just to eat with her?


    Amara couldn''t quite describe the feeling in her heart. She pressed her lips together and remained silent.


    Finnian led her to the table and gently pushed her into a chair. Amara didn''t object, picking up a steamed dumpling and eating it quietly.


    She had to admit, Finnian was a good cook. The dumpling tasted great, even if its shape was a bit odd, a clear sign of a beginner''s hand.


    With that thought, she finished the dumpling and was about to take a sip of water when Finnian ced a ss in front of her. "Have some soy milk. The temperature is just right. It''s savory."


    Amara had a sweet tooth but tried to watch her sugar intake, especially in the morning. She usually preferred savory soy milk to start her day. Did Finnian know that, or was it just a coincidence?


    Amara drank the entire ss.


    It was delicious.


    Seeing her finish the drink without any hesitation, Finnian knew she must have enjoyed it. It seemed his breakfast wasn''t a failure. He then ced a few shrimp dumplings on her te.


    Amara felt awkward watching Finnian serve her while he didn''t eat anything himself. She ced a steamed dumpling on his te and said, "You should eat too, Mr. Everly."


    Finnian was about to say he had already eaten while cooking.


    But realizing she would feel ufortable if he didn''t eat, he picked up the dumpling and ate it in silence.


    They ate without a word, but Amara''s mind was racing.


    When did Finnian learn to cook breakfast? Did he just learn this morning?


    Did he make all this specifically for her? He looked like he''d pulled an all-nighter. Why would he do that?


    Her first thought was that he was unhappy about her getting married to Keith, but then she remembered he was supposed to be marrying Libana himself.


    Amara felt that Finnian was aplete enigma; she couldn''t figure him out at all.


    After they finished their meal in


    silence, Amar? put down her


    utensils, wiped her mouth, and stood up. Thank you for breakfast Mr. Everly. I''m full now, so I''ll be going."


    She gave him a nod and left the kitchen.


    Footsteps sounded behind her. Finnian had followed her, and he suddenly wrapped his arms around her from behind.


    Amara jumped, quickly ncing


    around Seeing no maids nearby et


    she breathed a sigh of relief and turned her head. "What''s wrong, Mr. Everly? Please let me go."


    She felt a sense of urgency.


    What was he doing, pulling a stunt like this now?


    Finnian''s arms tightened around Amara. A sharp pain shot through his heart, a


    feeling that if he let her go, he would lose her forever.


    Once he released her, she would walk out that door and marry Keith. Wasn''t that the very definition of losing her forever?


    But then again, had he ever truly had her in the first ce?


    He loosened his grip and turned her around to face him. He looked down into her


    eyes, and she instinctively met his gaze.