Under the Veil I Rule

Chapter 358

A bright blaze danced before them, tongues of fire licking the air, casting flickering shadows across Amara and Finnian's faces. The shifting light left their features half-illuminated, half-obscured.

"I want to pay my respects to Liliana's child," Finnian finally said.

He hesitated, the fire's glow sharpening the lines of his face. "Honestly, I wasn't exactly looking forward to the baby's arrival. When I learned we'd lost it, I actually felt..... relieved. And that makes me feel guilty."

Finnian didn't want Liliana's child? The admission stunned Amara. She wasn't sure she believed him, not right away, but she didn't protest. Instead, she kept her head bowed, silent.

Once Finnian had finished burning the slips of paper he'd brought, Amara broke the quiet. "Mr. Everly, do you really believe in all this?"

In her mind, Finnian had never been superstitious. When Mr. Kevin Everly insisted Finnian marry her to bring good luck back to Mrs. Grace Everly, Finnian had only agreed out of filial duty. On principle, he'd always seemed to think such rituals were absurd-burning offerings, seeking good fortune they were all just old wives' tales to him.

Finnian stamped out the last embers, then grabbed a broom and dustpan, sweeping the ashes into a trash bag. "No. I don't. I do it for peace of mind, that's all."

wasn't burning the offerings for the dead, Amara realized. It was for the living -to give the survivors a way to let go. She understood, so

his word, Finnian drove her home in under an hour. When they reached her building, he insisted on walking her up. Amara didn't object. At her door, just as she was about to slip inside, Finnian caught

to you," he

heart skipped in anticipation;

to face him. "What is

expression, made him seem gentler than usual. There was even a slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "When

thudded painfully, not out of joy, but

Finnian, not really. But the thought of being

left her unmooredet

how to

head. "I'm sorry,

quick

right away, so her answer didn't surprise him, but he still didn't like hearing it. He reached out, covering her mouth with his hand-then, after a second, let go, instead

like you. Will you give me a