Chapter 95
Standing beside him was Liliana, donned in a bright red dress, her face lit up with a broad smile.
She greeted, a smile on her face, “Hey everyone, I’m Liliana. So glad to be invited here dining with you. Hope we’d have a good time.”
Liliana’s words hung in the air, expecting a response, but none came. A wave of surprise washed over the room as everyone turned their gaze from the composed Liliana to Amara and Finnian, gauging their reactions.. This wasn’t Liliana’s first visit to the Everly household. She had been Finnian’s first love, and many years ago, she was a familiar face around the Everly estate. After their breakup, Liliana moved abroad, pursuing her career until she returned three years ago, coinciding with Finnian’s wedding.
In the years that followed, Kevin’s affection for Amara was apparent, but the late Grace never warmed to her. Grace had a penchant for beautiful people and, though Amara was meant to bring joy into the family, she found her unappealing.
Conversely, Grace had taken a liking to Liliana for reasons unknown, frequently inviting her over for dinner. Kevin, respecting this, would ensure Amara wasn’t around during Liliana’s visits to avoid any awkwardness. Likewise, when Amara was invited, Liliana was not, maintaining a delicate balance.
Thus, despite both visiting the Everly home numerous times over the past three years, Amara and Liliana had never crossed paths there until now.
“What are you doing here?”
Finnian rose from his chair, his hand resting firmly on the table, his face showing clear displeasure.
Unfazed by his demeanor, Liliana maintained her smile, charming and pleasant. She was ready to explain the reason of her being here, but Hogan interjected before she could, “Hey, don’t blame her. I am the one who invited my sister–in–law.”
The term “sister–in–law” left everyone in shock once more, but Hogan seemed oblivious, pressing on, “It’s Dad’s birthday. We’re all family now, and I thought it’d be nice to have her join us. We’re all family, right? The more, the merrier.”
His words lingered in the tense silence that followed.
Even when Amara and Finnian hadn’t officially divorced, Hogan blatantly brought the other woman over, claiming her as his sister–in–law no less; anyone wouldn’t be able to tolerate it.
Though none particularly favored Amara, witnessing this open display of disrespect stirred a sense of sympathy for her. Yet Amara, the subject of this unwelcome attention, remained seated calmly, her expression unchanged.
Her hands, however, were clenched tightly in her lap, her body taut with barely contained anger. Inside, she was seething.
In the past, such an incident would have left Amara fuming, unable to eat, and later crying alone at home. But now, Amara had resolved to let go of Finnian. His recent behavior at the club had shown her his true feelings.
Accepting that Finnian had no regard for her, Amara no longer harbored any illusions about him. This realization tempered her sorrow, reducing it to a small, manageable knot in her heart.
