Under the Veil I Rule (Amara) novel Chapter 396

At this point, Mr. Kevin Everly had truly given up hope for Finnian and Amara.

If it had been before, maybe things could have turned out differently—Finnian hadn’t been so lost back then. But now? Finnian was actually having dinner with the Porters. What on earth was he thinking?

Amara could sense the old man’s disappointment. She picked up a meatball with the serving fork and placed it in Mr. Kevin Everly’s bowl. “Grandpa, you really shouldn’t worry about him anymore,” she said gently. “You’re getting on in years. The most important thing is to keep yourself happy and healthy.”

“As for everything else, just let it go. Every generation has its own blessings. Mr. Everly is so fond of Ms. Porter—he’ll be happy with her in the end.”

In the past, Mr. Kevin Everly would have instantly argued with Amara, defending his grandson and maybe even singing his praises. But now, even he couldn’t keep up the act. He sighed, the lines on his face deepening. “Let’s not talk about him anymore. Let’s eat.”

Later that evening, Finnian returned to the office. He sat at his desk, staring blankly at a stack of documents that needed his signature. His thoughts were a tangled mess, impossible to unravel, and he couldn’t bring himself to focus on work.

Knock, knock, knock.

There was a rap at the door. “Come in,” Finnian called.

The door swung open and Hogan strode in, his expression unreadable.

“Finnian, did you really go out and have dinner with the Porters tonight?” Hogan asked. “What’s going on between you and Liliana? The baby’s gone, isn’t it? Are you seriously still planning to stay with her?” He sounded genuinely baffled.

Hogan had always known that Liliana used the pregnancy to keep Finnian by her side. That’s why he’d been so angry when he’d heard about the fake pregnancy. But now the baby was gone, and still Finnian was sticking with Liliana. Hogan remembered clearly—Finnian had always liked Amara. Why wasn’t he going after her instead?

Finnian stared at him for a long, long moment before finally speaking. “Liliana once saved my life. I owe her. I’ll stay by her side from now on.”

Finnian looked away, falling silent for so long that Hogan wondered if he’d ever answer. Finally, Finnian muttered, “It is what it is.”

He’d promised Liliana he’d stay by her side. What else could he possibly do for Amara now?

Saying those words felt like dragging a knife through his own chest, leaving him bleeding inside—but nobody could see it.

Hogan let out a heavy sigh and left Finnian’s office. He didn’t go straight home; instead, he wandered down the dark, empty streets, his mind a complete mess.

It seemed Finnian had made up his mind: he was giving up on Amara and choosing to stay with Liliana for good. In that case, maybe Hogan shouldn’t tell Finnian the truth about Liliana’s fake pregnancy after all. With that life-saving debt between them, it didn’t matter whether the pregnancy was real or not—Finnian would stay with Liliana either way. If Finnian found out, it would only make things more complicated.

Better to leave things as they were. Whatever they wanted to do, let them do it.