Under the Veil I Rule (Amara) novel Chapter 392

Amara had wanted to help out, but Finnian shook his head. “You don’t need to worry about any of this. Just tell me what to do.”

Seeing he wouldn’t let her lift a finger, and not bothering to argue, she stood by his side, guiding him through each step.

Before long, the ingredients were prepped. She pulled out the spices, explaining carefully—one by one—which ones went with each dish.

The two of them stood shoulder-to-shoulder at the stove. Amara’s voice was soft and patient as she explained the process, her expression focused and intent, completely unaware that Finnian was watching her instead of the food.

He watched her with the same seriousness she gave the cooking—one of them focused on the meal, the other focused on her. From a distance, the pair looked like a picture come to life.

After about ten minutes of instructions, Finnian finally started cooking. Amara hovered nearby, keeping an eye out for mistakes, gently correcting him as he went.

Suddenly, a droplet of hot oil popped out of the pan, landing right on Amara’s hand. She jumped back with a short yelp of pain.

Finnian immediately switched off the stove and turned to her, taking her hand in his. “What happened? Did it hurt?”

Without waiting for an answer, he slipped an arm around her waist and led her to the sink. He turned on the cold water, guiding her hand under the stream and carefully rinsing the burn.

His movements were smooth and swift, but also gentle—his long fingers wrapped around hers, tending to her with surprising tenderness. Amara glanced up at his serious eyes and found herself momentarily dazed.

It was such a small thing, but when the oil had splattered, the worry in Finnian’s eyes had been unmistakable—completely genuine.

And now, the way he guided her to the sink, so concerned for this minor injury… Why did he care so much?

Maybe it was the rumors about Finnian and Amara that had spread earlier, but the atmosphere between the three of them felt changed—a heaviness in the air that hadn’t been there before.

The kitchen wasn’t small, and there were only three people inside, but Hogan couldn’t shake the feeling that the walls were closing in, the tension making it hard to breathe.

He wanted to get this over with and blurt out the news about Liliana’s fake pregnancy.

He opened his mouth to speak—when the kitchen door swung open again. Emma hurried in, looking flustered. “Finn, I heard someone say you were in here—what are you doing in the kitchen—”

She stopped mid-sentence, eyes widening at the sight of Finnian in an apron, standing next to Amara, who was also wearing one. Emma’s voice shot up an octave. “You again? What are you doing here?”

“Mother, that’s enough!” Finnian immediately stepped forward, half-shielding Amara with his body. His voice was sharp, making it clear he meant to protect her.