And he hadn''t even bought Amara a diamond ring. During the wedding ceremony, he showed no enthusiasm—not even willing to take part in the customary


    champagne toast or kiss the bride. Amara must have felt deeply wronged at the time.


    He was in a sour mood, his lips pressed tightly together, his expression clearly unhappy.


    Liliana had assumed that, even if Finnian didn''t like her, seeing her in a wedding dress would at least take his breath away-men are, after all, visual creatures.


    But to her surprise, Finnian''s expression didn''t change at all. He seemed lost in his own thoughts. Even the store attendants noticed, exchanging nces that made Liliana feel even more awkward and ufortable.


    But she had no right to lose her temper with Finnian. Forcing a smile, she asked, "Finn, do you think this wedding dress looks good?"


    Finnian nodded. "It''s fine."


    That was all he said—not even bothering with a politepliment.


    Liliana fought to keep her disappointment in check. She picked up the heavy wedding dress and apanied Finnian to try on his suit.


    Soon, both the wedding dress and suit were fitted. Finnian, unwilling to waste any more time in the shop, had Nora drive Liliana home while he left on his own.


    He didn''t go back to the office. Instead, he went to a luxury jewelry store and picked out a beautiful diamond ring.


    It was a one-carat diamondrge, brilliant, and from a prestigious brand, with a price nearing a million dors.


    Finnian found himself picturing Amara wearing the ring, lost in thought for a moment... But that was all it was a fantasy. He didn''t dare actually give the ring to Amara, so he brought it back to his office and locked it away in a drawer.


    At the same time, Amara received a call from Larry, inviting her over for dinner.


    Amara figured Larry didn''t have anything urgent to discuss he just wanted her toe home for a meal.


    She had a sense that ever since he''d fallen ill, Larry had started to care less about his business and more about family.


    And as Larry''s rtionships with Fiona and Elowen grew more strained, she naturally became the one he turned to for a sense of family connection.


    Since she hadn''t received the shares yet, Amara knew she had to keep up appearances in front of Larry. She bought some gifts and went to the Sullivan family home.


    Fiona and Elowen were there for dinner as well, but from the moment Amara walked in, she ignored the mother and daughter, speaking only with Larry.


    Larry asked, "How are things between you and Keith? Did you break up?"


    Amara nodded. "We broke up."


    Larry wasn''t surprised. With Amara now pregnant by another man, the breakup was only to be expected.


    He didn''t press further. He just wanted to check in on his daughter and see how she was holding up.


    He knew that what she''d been


    through must have been hard, and


    he wanted to offer her some


    Then Elowen spoke up, shooting Amara a mocking nce. "Of course they broke up. Sure, the statement said he knew about the baby all along but what man actually wants to be made a foot of Now that Amara''s pregnant, she''s going to have a hard time ever getting married."


    Elowen had grown more and more spiteful. Ever since Amara''s out-of-wedlock pregnancy came to light and Larry still decided to leave part of the inheritance to her, Elowen had been driven nearly mad with jealousy.