Under the Veil I Rule (Amara) novel Chapter 497

“Mr. Everly, is something wrong? It’s very late.”

It was awkward to talk in the hallway where any servant walking by might see them, so Amara let him into her room. The heavy scent of alcohol clung to him, sharp and unpleasant, but she was too well-mannered to show her distaste.

Noticing her subtle recoil, Finnian seemed to realize how strongly he smelled. With her pregnancy, she shouldn’t be around alcohol. “I’m going to take a quick shower,” he said, stepping back. “Wait for me.”

Before Amara could respond, he was gone. She stood there, momentarily stunned. Did he really think the smell was that bad? It was just for a few minutes; it wasn’t a big deal.

Less than five minutes later, he returned, his hair dripping wet, a fresh, clean scent replacing the alcohol. The gesture felt strangely intimate, and Amara felt a blush creep up her neck. She looked down at her feet. “Mr. Everly, was there something you needed?”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around her. He was nearly a head taller, and his embrace enveloped her completely. He rested his chin in the warm crook of her neck, a wave of desolation radiating from him.

Amara’s heart skipped a beat, then began to pound erratically. She could feel the heat rising to her ears. “Mr. Everly, what’s wrong?”

He pulled back slightly, his gaze locking onto hers. “I think… I’m going to marry Liliana,” he said, his voice barely a whisper.

The silence between them was suffocating. Amara couldn’t stand it any longer; she was on the verge of tears. She turned away, pretending to fuss with a plant on the windowsill, desperately biting her lip to hold back the flood of emotion.

Finnian made no attempt to hide his pain. His eyes reddened instantly. He grabbed her shoulder, spinning her back around. “I’ve asked you this a thousand times before, but I have to ask again. Do you really not love me at all anymore?”

Did she not love him? Of course she did. Even now, she had to admit, she still couldn’t forget him. But he was about to marry someone else. What was she supposed to do? Tell him she still loved him? That would be stripping away the last of her pride and throwing it at his feet to be trampled on.