Chapter 362

"You're already dealing with moderate depression, and you still say you're fine?" Jenny wiped at her tears, her voice tight with worry.

"Finn, please keep an eye on her-talk to her, encourage her. My husband needs me for something, so I have to step out for a bit."

Jenny left, and Finnian turned to Liliana. "Have you been feeling this way for a while?"

Depression never shows up overnight, he thought. Whatever Liliana was going through, it had to be about more than just the miscarriage.

Liliana lowered her gaze and said quietly, "Honestly, the stress has been overwhelming lately. Nothing's going right, not at work, not in my personal life."

"I've been so busy, I didn't even realize how bad things had gotten. If my mom hadn't dragged me to see a doctor, I probably still wouldn't know I was sick. I just thought I was unhappy, that's all."

She paused, rubbing her palm over her eyes. "But what I did yesterday... it was a moment of weakness. Losing the baby broke me, and then you— you said you were leaving..."

Her voice cracked and fresh tears spilled down her cheeks.

Clutching Finnian's hand, Liliana looked at him with desperate hope. "Finn, have you made up your mind? Will you stay with me?"

Finnian gently withdrew his hand, standing silently for a long moment.

His profile was sharp, distant, eyes cast downward. Liliana couldn't read his face, and she waited, anxiety twisting inside her.

At last, Finnian spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. "I will.”

Just two simple words, but as soon as he said them, it felt like something hollowed out his chest-as if a piece of his heart had been carved away.

But Liliana's face lit up with joy. She threw her arms around his, her voice trembling with relief. "Thank you, Finn, thank you! I knew you still cared! I'm so happy—I really am!"

"I don't need a title or anything. As long as you're here with me, that's enough..."

She hadn't expected Finnian to agree so quickly, and tears of gratitude welled in her eyes.

Finnian let her cling to his arm, standing there in silence, like a statue hollowed out by sorrow, unmoving for a long, long time.

That afternoon, Amara accompanied Mr. Kevin Everly to visit Hogan in the hospital.

Truth be told, Amara never liked Hogan. But Mr. Everly didn't have any family to go with him, and while Celeste was available, he couldn't standber, always treating Amara like a real granddaughter instead. So he called Amara, and she agreed to go. s

When they arrived at the hospital room, Mr. Everly exchanged a few words with Hogan while Amara stood quietly nearby.

After a while, Mr. Everly excused himself to use the restroom. The bodyguard helped him out, leaving just Amara and Hogan alone.

Hogan glanced at Amara, breaking the silence—something he rarely did. "So...

how are things between you and Finnian these days?"

Amara shot him a puzzled look. "There's nothing between us. We're not involved." Hogan faltered, unsure how to continue.

He'd heard Finnian was crazy about Amara-so did she really not care? He hesitated, then pressed, "You never thought about getting back together with him?"

"Nope."

Amara's answer was blunt, matter-of-fact.

Hogan studied her face, searching for any sign of hesitation, but she looked completely sincere. She really didn't seem to care about

Finnian at all. He frowned, unable to make sense of it. s

"You don't like Finnian?" he asked.

Amara nodded, perfectly calm. Hogan grew agitated. "Why? What's wrong with

him? Why isn't he good enough for you?"

He just couldn't wrap his head

around it. For the longest time, he'd found every fault with Amara, never seeing past her scars, always her harshly. Looking back.

judging!

up

He realized most of his opinions had

been colored by that first

impression. s