"We''re divorced now. I''ve decided to raise this child on my own. You don''t need to feel responsible. This child came into the world without your knowledge, so you don''t have to worry about him..."


    "Amara!"


    Finnian cut her off, anger ring in his voice. "How can you say that? He''s my own son. How am I supposed not to care about him?"


    Finnian lifted Amara''s chin, his eyes burning with indignation.


    Hearing Amara say such things hurt him deeply-far more than any physical blow could.


    Amara realized that what she''d said was especially hard for Finnian to ept. How could anyone discover they had a child and simply turn a blind eye?


    But she didn''t want to raise a child with Finnian. What else could she do? For a moment, she was at aplete loss.


    She''d long known that if Finnian ever learned the truth, he would never just walk away. Her life would be turned upside down.


    It was precisely because of this that Amara had always been so careful to keep Finnian from finding out.


    Now that he knew everything, what was she supposed to do? Were the two of them doomed to another round of entanglement?


    Thinking back to the pain and turmoil between them in the past, dread crept up her spine.


    Amara took a step back, her resolve firm. "Mr. Everly, as far as I''m concerned, this child has nothing to do with you. You need to stop thinking about him." Her tone was unwavering.


    She didn''t know what Finnian hoped to aplish bying to her like this, but she truly didn''t want to get


    caught up with him again. She She needed to make that clear right now to end his hopes before they could grow.


    Finnian hated hearing these words, but he knew Amara was resolute in her rejection. Nothing he said could change her mind.


    So he stayed quiet, only taking Amara''s hand and saying, "I know everything now. We had a rtionship, and we have a child together... I have a responsibility to you."


    Amara''s face flushed with anger. "I don''t need you to take responsibility! Please, just stop."


    At that moment, Keith, who had been standing to the side, finally couldn''t stay silent.


    He stepped forward, took Amara by


    the arm, and pulled her away from Finnian. Frowning, he said, "Mr. Everly, Ama never intended to tell you the truth. She didn''t want you to know, because she doesn''t want you involved in her life."


    "Now that you know, it doesn''t help her at all. It only causes her more distress. Do you understand?"


    Finnian looked at Keith coldly.


    Ever since he found out that he and Amara had a child, he''d felt a stronger bond to her than ever. Seeing Keith now, shielding Amara behind him, only made Finnian more uneasy.


    But he knew Keith was right. Amara didn''t want him interfering in her life, and forcing the issue would only make her unhappy.


    Finnian realized he couldn''t keep pressing her-not now, at least. He also had problems of his own to deal with. For now, it was best to let her go.


    He didn''t argue further. Instead, he looked at Amara and quietly said, "I''m leaving now. You... you and the child, take good care of yourselves. If you ever need anything, don''t hesitate toe to me. I be there foryou-that''s my responsibility."


    He spoke slowly, his gaze locked on Amara''s eyes, filled with a depth of emotion he


    could hardly put into words.