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    He instinctively took a couple of steps forward, but the memory of Amara''s sharp, de-like re made him stop in his tracks.


    Dorian was watching Amara too, and he was genuinely furious. How could she say something like that to Finnian? Did she have any idea just how much Finnian cared about her?


    Had she forgotten all the times Finnian had risked his life to save her?


    He nced at Finnian, seeing his usually strong, unyielding friend looking as if he could barely stand. Dorian frowned deeply, then strode after Amara. “Amara, wait!"


    He wanted to pull Amara aside and talk to her about Finnian, but as soon as he grabbed her arm, Amara''s face suddenly changed. She raised her hand and pped him hard across the face.


    "Get lost! You jerk! Do you realize how annoying you are? I guess it''s true what they say-birds of a feather flock together. No wonder you two are such good friends!"


    The p was hard-Dorian''s cheek burned, and he waspletely stunned.


    Had Amara lost her mind? Why did she hit him out of nowhere?


    After a brief moment of shock, a surge of anger rose inside him. If Finnian wasn''t standing right there, he might have started shouting at her.


    And what did Amara mean by that, anyway?


    At first, Dorian thought Amara was just taking out her anger at Finnian on him. But judging by what she said, it seemed the p had nothing to do with Finnian at all—it was aimed at Dorian himself. But he''d never hurt Amara, so why was she acting like this?


    Back at the Everly family home, Amaray on her bed for a long time, only beginning to recover as dusk fell.


    She got up and looked out the window. The cold wind was blowing again, and the trees outside were stripped bare by the cold, nothing left but stark, brittle branches. The sight made her feel even colder inside.


    She thought to herself, today was truly the end between her and Finnian. Should she move out of the Everly home?


    Yes, she probably should. After humiliating Finnian like that, and pping his friend right in front of him, Floman would surely feel ufortable seeing her around. It would only be awkward if they had to keep running into each other.


    Amara sighed and started packing her things.


    There was a knock at the door. Amara''s heart skipped heavily. She walked over and opened it.


    Sure enough, it was Finnian.


    Her expression immediately darkened. She tried to close the door, but Finnian


    caught the frame and said quietly, "I want to talk to you. Can we?"


    Amara thought for a moment, then stepped aside to let Finnian in.


    She kept her face cold, standing by the window with her back to him. "What do you want to say?"


    Finnian looked at her gentle profile. Seeing how much she seemed to dislike him— she wouldn''t even look at him-made him ache inside.


    "Amara, you''ve misunderstood me. I never meant to y games with you. What you said to me today... it really hurt," he said softly.


    Was it her imagination, or did his voice sound a little aggrieved?


    A wave of bitterness surged in


    Amara''s chest. She dug her nails et


    into her palm forcing herself to stay calm reminding herself not to l?t this man sway her again.


    Then she


    said, I find that hard to believe, Mr Everly. You''re about to marry Elliana, yet you keeping to me and acting like this. It''s honestly pretty awful. I don''t want to see you anymore. I hope you can understand that."


    Finnian was about to reply when his eyes fell on the suitcase behind her.


    There were a few clothes inside. Her closet door was open, and more clothes were spread out on the bed.