Amara quickly turned her head and saw that, at some point, Tina hade out.


    Tina had been helping out in the kitchen and was still wearing her apron. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she looked anxious and flustered.


    Sensing everyone in the hall turning to look at her, Tina shrank back in fear. But when she recalled the awful things these people had just said about Amara, a surge of indignation rose within her. She simply couldn''t bear the injustice anymore.


    Summoning her courage, she spoke out once more: "Ms. Sullivan, please tell everyone the truth about the baby. Don''t let them keep misunderstanding you. I can vouch for you."


    Tina''s words took everyone by surprise.


    The truth about the baby?


    Could this girl, dressed as a maid, actually know who the father of Amara''s child was?


    Emma strode over and seized Tina''s hand, her voice sharp andmanding: "You know who the father is? Tell us right now!"


    Emma''s eyes were wide with rage, and her grip was so fierce it felt as though she might crush Tina''s bones.


    Frightened, Tina instinctively looked to Amara, then to Finnian, hoping that Amara would reveal the child was Finnian''s.


    But Amara was frowning, lost in her own thoughts. Tina grew more anxious and kept ncing at Finnian, silently pleading for him to remember who had saved him that day.


    Seeing Tina remain silent and nce repeatedly at her son, Emma''s impatience grew. "Do you know who the father is or not? Just say it! Why do you keep looking at Finnian? Are you "


    She stopped abruptly, her heart skipping a beat as she realized what her words might suggest. That kind of talk could easily lead to wild spection.


    And why was Tina staring at Finnian, anyway? Shouldn''t she just say who the father was?


    Could it be... could it possibly be...?


    A horrifying thought exploded in her mind. Emma looked at Finnian in disbelief, then at Amara.


    No, it couldn''t be...


    Surely it wasn''t what she was thinking.....


    Emma was stunned, utterly lost for words.


    Finnian, too, was bewildered.


    What was going on? Why did Tina keep looking at him?


    And now, as Tina kept ncing in his direction, even the usuallyposed Amara seemed visibly shaken. Finnian noticed her panic immediately Why would Amara be so anxious? What was happening here?


    As everyone''s gaze bounced between her and Finnian, then settled on her belly, Amara felt as if she''d been struck by a sledgehammer. She was about to faint.


    No, there''s no way her secret would be exposed today...


    Genuine panic set in. Emma was still gripping Tina''s hand tightly, but now she was too afraid to press for answers, dreading the possibility- that Tina might reveal a truthtoo shocking for anyone to bear.


    Bet


    The room fell into an oppressive silence. All eyes were wide, moving between Amara Finnian and her stomach, everyones thoughts


    written inly on their faces.


    Amara closed her eyes for a moment, then strode forward and pulled Tina free from Emma''s grasp.


    Tina was trembling, her eyes filled with tears. Emma had frightened her badly.


    "We''re leaving,” Amara said quietly, and she led Tina out of the banquet hall.