She noticed his eyes were red, as if from a sleepless night, or perhaps as if he were on the verge of tears.


    Her heart skipped a beat. She lowered her head and pushed him away.


    "Don''t, Mr. Everly."


    Her own heart ached, but she couldn''t continue like this with Finnian. What kind of mess was this, this endless entanglement?


    She bit her lip gently and ran.


    Once outside, the fresh air helped her feel a little better. She decided to focus on something positive to lift her spirits.


    And what was the best thing on the horizon? Getting the marriage license and then demanding her shares from Larry.


    The thought of getting her hands on the Sullivan family fortune and crushing Elowen and Fiona under her heel brought a smile to her face.


    Her car had been in a minor fender-bender a few days ago and was still at the auto shop, so Amara hailed a cab to City Hall.


    When she arrived, she saw Keith waiting for her under a tree, wearing a mask. She walked over, and he came to meet her, a smile in his voice. "Got everything?"


    "All set."


    Amara had double-checked everything in the cab on the way over.


    She nced at Keith curiously. He seemed to be smiling nonstop, looking even happier than she, the one about to inherit a fortune, did.


    Even with the mask, she could tell he was grinning from ear to ear.


    Keith hummed in agreement, slinging an arm around her shoulder and leading her inside.


    He was finally marrying Amara. He''d been so excited he hadn''t slept a winkst night, yet he still felt incredibly energetic.


    He had their future all nned out. Today, they''d get their marriage license. A few dayster, they''d have the wedding, and then they would be a real married couple.


    Amara would secure her inheritance from the Sullivan family and probably ask for a divorce in about six months, telling Larry they were splitting due to irreconcble differences.


    So his job was to win her heart within those six months and then confess his feelings.


    Lost in these thoughts, Keith''s steps grew lighter.


    Just then, chaos erupted. A swarm of reporters appeared out of nowhere, shoving


    microphones in their faces. "Keith! Ama! Are you two getting married?"


    "Is this a secret wedding? Why didn''t you announce it on Twitter?”


    "Was this date set in advance? Why the rush?"


    "Are you having a wedding ceremony after this? Have you booked a venue?"


    Keith and Amara exchanged an annoyed nce.


    Keith wanted nothing more than to make his rtionship with Amara public, to let everyone know she was his wife, but he didn''t want their private moment of getting the license to be turned into a media circus.


    He shielded Amara and took a step back. “We are getting married today, but we


    intend to keep it low-key. We would appreciate it if you didn''t publicize this."


    Of course, his words were useless.


    The reporters were carrying cameras on their shoulders, and some were probably ve-streaming.* The news of their marriage was undoubtedly already out.


    Still, Keith hoped his plea would get them to back off.


    But these reporters weren''t


    pushovers. They wouldn''t leave just because he asked. They pushed forward again with their


    MicrophonesHave you set a date for the ceremony? Which hotel will you be using?"