Under the Veil I Rule
Chapter 61

Amara felt a bit awkward, just about to mutter an apology or something when Finnian removed her arm.

The gesture sent a chill through her. Hadn't he agreed to act a bit more affectionate? Why couldn't he even tolerate that? Did he dislike her that much?

But to her surprise, the next moment, Finnian wrapped his arm around her waist. His hand gripped her slender waist firmly, the touch sending a hot flush through her, and her heart raced like crazy.

"This looks more intimate," Finnian said smoothly, guiding Amara inside.

"Oh right, I haven't told you things about my family yet," Amara mentioned, trying to keep her cool while her heart pounded in her chest. She walked into the living room, had Will pass the gifts to the housekeeper, and spoke to Finnian.

"What things?"

"My mom passed away when I was really young, and then my dad married my stepmom, Fiona Faye Sullivan. She's been a stay-at-home mom ever since.

When she married my dad, she brought along her daughter, my stepsister, who changed her name to Elowen Sullivan. She should be around today too."

Amara's tone cooled as she mentioned Elowen. Her face was marred by Elowen.

"Well, well, if it isn't the ugly duckling, back at last."

A mocking voice drifted down from upstairs. Amara instinctively looked up to see a woman with sharp features leaning on the second-floor railing, looking down at her with disdain.

Noticing Amara's gaze, the woman in a red dress descended the stairs, taunting as she walked.

"Still hiding behind that mask, huh? Afraid your hideous face will scare everyone away? How considerate of you."

As she spoke, a middle-aged woman, dressed like a posh socialite, emerged from the kitchen. She bore a passing resemblance to Elowen. This was Amara's stepmother, Fiona.

Fiona, in her fifties but looking a decade younger thanks to meticulous upkeep, was more attractive than Elowen. Elowen had inherited only a fraction of her mother's beauty.

While Elowen sneered, Fiona stood silently by with a smile, not uttering a word of reproach. She wasn't directly joining in, but the slight smirk on her face spoke volumes.

Amara's gaze swept over the mother-daughter duo, her eyes cold as ice. It had always been like this. Elowen would ridicule her each time Amara was in sight, and Fiona would merely watch, except when Larry was around-then Fiona would play nice.

At the sight the pair brazenly bully Amara, Finnian's face turned grim as he was ready to speak up in her defense.

Amara caught his arm, whispering, "No need, dinner's soon."

Finnian frowned. That was clearly an excuse. Amara just didn't want to stand up to them. She was the one being wronged in her own home, and now with him by her side, Ke couldn't fathom why she wouldn't fight back.

"Well, is this your husband?" Elowen asked, unfazed by Amara's usual compliance. Amara had always been the doormat over the years, not daring to speak up no matter how much Elowen pushed her. But upon spotting Finnian, Elowen lost

interest in her insults.

She'd seen Finnian once at Amara's wedding. But back then, they were far apart, so she couldn't discern his

features. Now, up close, she noticed that Finnian was even more handsome than she'd imagined.