Under the Veil I Rule (Amara) novel Chapter 412

“Elysia, if you decide you can’t be with him anymore, you can come to me,” Lucian said softly, releasing her. He looked at her, his expression serious.

Elysia was stunned for a moment, then she laughed and playfully smacked the back of his head. “What kind of nonsense is that, you little punk? I’m years older than you. I can be your big sister, that’s about it.”

As a beautiful and talented woman, Elysia had received countless confessions over the years, but this was the first time one had made her blush. Maybe it was because he was so young.

She playfully pushed him again, but Lucian’s expression remained earnest. “I’m not a little punk,” he insisted, which only made Elysia laugh harder, causing his cheeks to turn bright red.

***

Finnian brought Amara back to his apartment. He gently set her down on the sofa and rummaged through a cabinet until he found a first-aid kit. He came back to her, dabbed a cotton ball with antiseptic to clean the wound, and then carefully applied a soothing ointment. After spreading it evenly with a cotton swab, he leaned in and blew on it softly. “Does it hurt?”

His series of gentle, meticulous actions made Amara deeply uncomfortable. She lowered her eyes. “No.”

He glanced at her, then pressed a small gauze pad over the cut and secured it with medical tape. The entire process was so careful, so tender, it made her heart tremble. Why was he doing this? He was with Liliana now. Why was he still being so kind to her?

She bit her lip and looked up at him. “Are you really marrying Liliana?”

A surge of frustration rose in him. He reached out and tilted her chin up. “You don’t care?” Only someone who was truly indifferent would sound so annoyed. If he were to really marry Liliana, would it mean nothing to her?

“Amara, do you not care if I marry Liliana?” he pressed, forcing her to meet his gaze.

The question was like a needle to her heart. She knew that deep down, she did care. She hadn't forgotten him completely. She didn't want him to marry someone else. But what good would admitting that do? He was going to be with Liliana anyway. So why was he torturing her with this question?

She refused to let him see her pain. She lifted her chin defiantly. “Why would I care who you marry, Mr. Everly? So, is it official? Are you and Ms. Porter getting together? If so, congratulations.”