Chapter 4 

At that evening. Amara received a call from Kevin Everly, inviting her over for dinner at the family estate. Without hesitation, she made her way there. 

Upon entering the house, she was surprised to see Finnian was also present. It was unusual since he typically made himself scarce whenever she visited, perhaps deliberately avoiding her.. 

Ignoring Finnlan, she walked straight to Kevin, “Grandpa, I’m here.” 

“Oh, Ama, there you are! Let me have a look at you,” Kevin said, reaching out his hand. 

“My friend dropped by earlier with a figurine of St. Nicholas, and I decided to keep it. When are you and Finn going to give me a great–grandchild? I’d love nothing more than to hold one in my arms.” 

A great–grandchild? 

Presumably out of some psychological effect, the thought made Amara feel a wave of nausea, which she quickly suppressed. Her eyes drifted to the St. Nicholas figurine on the table, and she couldn’t help but smile bitterly, 

They were on the brink of divorce; there wasn’t going to be a child. 

“Grandpa, there’s something I need to tell you.” 

She decided it was time to face facts, especially with Finnian there. With resolve, Amara began, “Actually, the two of us have already di-” 

Kevin suddenly erupted into a fit of coughing so violent it seemed like his chest might burst. Startled, Amara and Finnian rushed to support him back to his bedroom. 

“Grandpa, what’s wrong? Are you feeling okay?” Amara’s voice was laced with concern. 

“I’m fine, just feeling lonely. Ever since Grace left, this big ol‘ house is just so empty. Why don’t you two stay here for a while? It’ll be a perfect time for you to start a family.” 

Kevin’s hopeful gaze was so intense that Amara couldn’t bring herself to refuse him outright, so she lowered her eyes in silence. 

Later, in their room, she turned to Finnian. “When are we going to tell Kevin about the divorce?” 

Previously, it was Will who had approached her with the divorce papers, and they had never discussed it directly until now. 

Finnian leaned against the doorframe, his face half–shadowed by the light. “Let’s wait until Grandpa’s medical results are in and see how he is. He hasn’t been well lately.” 

“Alright.” 

Kevin was the only person who had treated her kindly since she married into the Everly family three years ago. She genuinely cared about his well–being and had no objections to the plan. 

That night, under Kevin’s watchful eye, they found themselves sharing a room. 

The room had just one bed and one blanket, with no room for a makeshift sleeping arrangement on the floor. Fortunately, the bed was large enough for them to sleep at a comfortable distance apart, avoiding any awkwardness. 

After freshening up, Amara got into bed in her pajamas. In the stillness of the night, the sound of her own heartbeat seemed loud in her ears. She felt uneasy sharing a bed with Finnian but willed herself to clear her mind and try to sleep. 

> 

Suddenly, she felt movement from his side of the bed. The sensation of him turning towards her made her 

16·18 

heart race. 

“Amara,” Finnian’s voice broke the silence, low and smooth. 

“That chicken soup you made earlier was really good.” 

Amara asked, unable to hide her surprise. “You actually drank it?” 

“Yes,”