Amara had never wanted to see this man, and after tonight, she wanted to see him even less. She replied coldly, "Mr. Everly, I need to rest now. Please go home."


    With that, she turned off the inte, switched off the living room lights, and headed upstairs to her bedroom.


    Finnian had already visited earlier today—so why was he back again? And something about him felt differentpared tost time.


    When he first came, his tone had been gentle, almost coaxing, as if he were trying to cate her—even if he hadn''t said anything she wanted to hear. But this time, Finnian''s expression was tense, his voice had amanding edge, and Amara found it deeply irritating.


    Back in her room, Amara quickly washed up, pulled the curtains shut, and climbed into bed, ready to sleep.


    The move today had been exhausting—she was tired much earlier than usual. Normally, she wouldn''t feel sleepy at ten o''clock; it would take until at least eleven before she''d start to doze off. But tonight, as soon as shey down, she felt drowsiness wash over her. She closed her eyes, determined to sleep early and get up early tomorrow to properly arrange the new house...


    With these thoughts, she drifted off. But in the middle of that twilight space between sleep and wakefulness, she suddenly heard a *thump, thump, thump*—a knocking sound right by her ear. She jolted awake, her heart pounding.


    Her bedroom was on the second floor, and she was the only person in the whole house. How could there be knocking?


    Amara opened her eyes and looked at the door-it was closed tight and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Had someone actually knocked, or was she half- dreaming?


    But as she reyed the sound in her memory, she realized it hadn''te from the direction of the door, but rather from much closer-as if it wereing from right beside her. What was happening?


    Just then, Amara turned her head toward the window. Her eyes flew wide open in shock-a cold chill ran down her spine, freezing her in ce. She nearly screamed at what she saw.


    The bedroom had a floor-to-ceiling window leading to a small balcony, which was surrounded by a railing just over waist-high. It was after ten, the night outside pitch ck and windy. As she turned, Amara saw a tall, shadowy figure silhouetted against the curtains—sorge and imposing that she felt as if her soul had left her body.


    *Thump, thump, thump!*


    The knocking sound-no, more urately, the rapping on the ss-came again.


    On the curtain, the silhouette clearly showed someone knocking.


    A heavy, familiar voice rang out, "Amara, open the window."


    That voice, that silhouette ... it was Finnian!


    Amara''s anger red. What was Finnian doing on her second-floor balcony in the middle of the night? How had he even gotten up


    there had he climbed? Was helne


    crazy? Didn''t he realize how much he''d just frightened her?


    .n


    Furious, Amara threw off her covers, jumped out of bed, and rushed over. She yanked open the curtains and swung the balcony door wide. “Finniam, what''s wrong with you? Why are you suddenly doingo this waking people up in the middle of the night?"


    Normally, she had a good temperament, but right now her anger got the best of her, and she let him have it.


    But Finnian didn''t say a word—he simply stared, his gaze fixed on one spot.


    Following his eyes, Amara looked


    down-she was wearing acy nightgown, and nothing underneath. The fabric was sent transparent, leaving little to the imagination...


    Amara''s face burned crimson. She wrapped her arms tightly across her chest and


    took two quick steps back, shouting, "You-you''re shameless!"