She pressed her hand against her stomach.


    There was no way she would get rid of the baby—after all, she was already more than four months along, and she''d grown attached to the little one.


    But Larry had said it was his only condition. What was she supposed to do now?


    She left the Sullivan estate, only to find Finnian still waiting for her outside. When he saw her, he walked over and asked, "How did it go? Was your father angry?"


    Amara shook her head. "No."


    Finnian didn''t quite believe her, but he didn''t push.


    Noticing that Amara was carrying her purse, he asked, "Are you heading back? Let me give you a ride."


    Amara didn''t refuse. She hade with Finnian, after all, and though she wasn''t sure why he had waited for her outside all this time, she decided to go back to the Everly estate with him.


    After everything that had happened, Amara was in no mood to talk, sitting quietly the whole way. Finnian, sensing her gloom, kept silent as well, only ncing at her from time to time.


    They soon arrived at the Everly estate. After parking, they got out and walked back to the main house.


    Will was standing at the entrance, a folder in his hands. He greeted them respectfully, "Mr. Everly, Ms. Sullivan, wee back."


    Earlier, Will had asked the Everly family staff where Finnian and Amara had gone, and learned they''d gone to the Sullivan estate—hence his greeting.


    The documents Finnian needed for the day had already been delivered the night before, so Will''s appearance here was unusual. Finnian asked, "Why are you here?"


    Will nced at Amara, then handed the folder to Finnian. "Mr. Everly, we''ve identified the person who leaked the news about Ms. Sullivan''s pregnancy."


    Amara immediately looked up. "Who was behind it?"


    Will replied, "It was Mrs. Everly."


    The only person Will would call "Mrs. Everly" was Emma.


    A heavy silence fell. Will didn''t dare look up, and added quietly, "When Mrs. Everly arranged for Ms. Sullivan''s kidnapping, she had someone investigate Ms. Sullivan''s background. She must have discovered the information from that report."


    Amara narrowed her eyes, but didn''t seem especially angry.


    She had suspected Emma from the start-among the few who hated her, Emma was the most capable, so it made sense.


    Still, Emma''s hatred had gone further than she''d expected.


    Finnian''s expression was icy, his eyes clouded with anger. He took the folder and flipped through it then said, I''m going to see her now. Don''t worry make sure you get an exnation."


    He was speaking to Amara. As soon as he finished, he turned to leave, but Amara


    quickly stopped him. "Mr. Everly, please don''t go."


    She still remembered what


    happenedst time, after Emma''s


    kidnapping attempt had been


    uncovered Finian had confronted his mother, and Emma had beaten him for it.


    The scars on Finnian''s back were still vivid in her mind-they were truly awful.


    If Finnian went to confront Emma again over her, there was no telling what kind of conflict might break out.


    Amara didn''t want their mother and son rtionship to get any worse, especially not because of her.


    Besides, this was her own problem, and she wanted to handle it herself. She couldn''t always live under Finnian''s protection.


    Finnian''s face was grim. “What are you going to say to her? She''spletely unreasonable."