Under the Veil I Rule
Chapter 176

Oddly enough, Finnian remained silent. Amara, with her head lowered, couldn't see his face, but she could feel a sudden chill in the air, a tension thick enough to cut with a knife.

Just then, a knock echoed through the room once more. Amara assumed it was Liliana, her lips curling into a sarcastic smile as she moved to open the door. But when she saw who it was, her expression shifted to one of surprise.

"Kevin, what are you doing here?"

Kevin's sudden appearance was unexpected, to say the least.

"Ama, what was that post about on Facebook last night? Who's that man?"

Kevin, leaning on his cane, hurried inside. As soon as the door clicked shut behind him, he pressed her for answers.

Amara hesitated. It was only natural for Kevin to come calling after her post. She explained, "That man is Keith, the one Liliana accused me... of having an affair with."

Her head hung low, a hint of guilt shadowing her eyes.

"Kevin, I'm really sorry. Actually, Ms. Porter was right. I am involved with Keith. She didn't falsely accuse me."

Kevin's mind reeled, as if hit by a thunderclap.

He looked at Amara, his voice rising as he exclaimed agitatedly, "I don't believe it, Ama, I can't believe you'd do something like that!

I've always believed in you. Are you sure there's not something else going on? Is someone pressuring you? Tell me what's happening, and I'll help you clear your name!"

His words came out in a rush, his face a picture of worry and hope, searching Amara for an explanation that would set his heart at ease.

But Amara didn't say a word; she just stood there silently, meeting his gaze with quiet resolution.

Slowly, the light in Kevin's eyes dimmed, his face turning ashen, tugging at the heartstrings.

He eased himself onto the couch, muttering, "This can't be happening, this just can't be..."

Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he looked up at Amara with renewed hope. "Ama, you just picked a random guy to fool me, right?

After three years of being so veracious and scrupulous, why would you start seeing someone else?

Did you replace yourself unable to stand being with Finn, so you lied to leave him?"

Amara was left speechless, surprised that Kevin actually had the correct speculation.

She sighed, grateful for the contingency plan she had devised. Without it, she wasn't sure how to navigate Kevin's stubbornness.

She retrieved a tablet from her bag, powered it on, and began, "Keving Keith and I have known each other since we were kids. We grew up next door, practically childhood O sweethearts."

This revelation made Finnian shift uncomfortably.

Lifting his eyes, he shot Amara a sharp glance.

She could feel his icy stare on her back but paid it no mind as she continued, "Here's a picture of us as kids. We were inseparable. He even drew up a little marriage certificate, saying he'd marry me when we grew up.

But when I was ten, my stepsister slashed my face with a knife, leaving me disfigured. My face became expressly grotesque.

།

As a child, was considered quite pretty, always surrounded by friends. But after the incident, they called a monster and estranged themselves.

Only Keith stayed by my side, unwavering, always looking out for me no matter what happened.

Kevin, look, here's our middle school photo taken by the class president back then."