Under the Veil I Rule (Amara) novel Chapter 372

Finnian’s voice was low, almost heavy. “You really can’t tell how he feels about you?”

He stepped closer, herding Amara back until she was pressed against the window ledge.

Now, if he moved even an inch nearer, he’d have her completely pinned.

It was the dead of night. The grand hall lay deserted, nothing but the two of them and shadows stretching across polished wood. Amara felt a strange, unspoken threat coil between them.

She ran a hand over her arm, the goosebumps prickling her skin. “He’s just a friend, nothing more. I don’t know why you keep insisting he has feelings for me, Mr. Everly. He really doesn’t.”

Her tone was unwavering, but Finnian caught her chin in his hand, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Do you honestly believe you understand men better than I do?”

That made Amara laugh—sharp, incredulous. She twisted her face from his grip, shaking his hand off with a mocking little smile.

“I might not understand men, but I know my friends. I don’t know why you keep misreading things between us, but I’d appreciate it if you stopped, Mr. Everly.”

With that, she pushed past him, her anger bristling, and stormed out.

Finnian watched her go, his eyes fixed on her retreating back, unable—or unwilling—to look away.

Only after he finally left did Hogan, who’d been hiding in the kitchen, quietly slip out. He replayed the scene he’d just witnessed, lips pursed in thought.

So Finnian’s really fallen for Amara, huh? And from what he’d heard, it wasn’t a recent thing—Finnian had been smitten even before Amara took off her mask. If he loved her then, when she was still hiding her scars, it had to be the real deal. What on earth was it about Amara that drew him in?

She dropped her eyes and lowered her voice, sounding truly pitiful. “But I had no choice. If Finnian ever finds out what really happened, he’ll leave me. I can’t bear for it to end that way.”

For a moment, Hogan almost felt sorry for her.

But then he remembered the way Finnian had looked at Amara the night before—all longing, all tenderness—and his resolve hardened again.

“I get it, but I can’t stand by and let Finnian live a lie. I don’t care if you two stay together, but he deserves to know the truth.” Hogan’s voice was calm but unyielding.

He stood, facing her squarely. “You need to tell him you were never really pregnant. If Finnian truly cares for you, I don’t believe that will change anything.”

What had gotten into Hogan? He’d never been anyone’s moral compass before, not by a long shot. Now here he was, stubbornly insisting on honesty for Finnian’s sake. Liliana could have screamed—she’d never hated anyone more.