Under the Veil I Rule (Amara) novel Chapter 456

He knew she was perfectly capable. He had watched her tend to Keith’s injuries with such care. She wasn’t refusing because she couldn’t; she was refusing because she didn’t want to do it for him.

How many people ranked higher than him in her heart?

It was a question Finnian didn’t dare to contemplate. The thought alone was agonizing.

Amara opened her mouth to refuse again. Tending to someone’s wounds was an intimate act, something reserved for family, friends, or lovers. For two people like them, it felt far too ambiguous.

But before she could speak, Finnian stepped closer. “You wanted to repay me for saving you yesterday, didn't you? Let this be your payment.”

“…”

His words silenced her completely.

He was right. He had saved her life. All he was asking for was for her to put some ointment on a few cuts. It wasn’t an unreasonable request. How could she say no?

She swung her legs out of bed and limped over on her crutches. “Fine. I’ll do it.”

Amara sat back down on the sofa, and Finnian sat beside her. She poured some antiseptic onto a cotton ball and gently dabbed at the cuts on his face. Then, she used a cotton swab to apply a small amount of ointment.

Throughout the entire process, Finnian’s eyes never left hers.

His gaze was so intense it felt like it was burning her skin. Her face grew hot, and she couldn't bring herself to look at him.

When she was finally done, she let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding.

Being this close to him always made her nervous, especially now that he knew she was pregnant.

Even though he didn’t know the child was his, for a strange moment, she had the fleeting sensation of the three of them being together as a family.

The thought had flustered her, and she was relieved when the task was over.

“It’s done, Mr. Everly,” she said.

Amara hesitated. “Three months.”

Three months.

The words pierced Finnian’s heart.

They hadn't been divorced then. So, at that time, Amara had already…

“When you were with him,” Finnian began, his voice cracking, not even sure how the words were forming, “were you still in love with me?”

The question made Amara’s own heart leap into her throat. She gritted her teeth. “No. I stopped loving you a long time ago, Mr. Everly.”

She had always been terrified of him knowing about her feelings for him, though she couldn’t pinpoint why. Perhaps it was a fear of losing her dignity in front of him.

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