rds were spoken. Amara stood there, her heart cau

gain, the ink slightly smudged from his dam

father threatened to cut me off. But I told him I didn

face, looking for any hint of manipulation, any trace of the calcula

ow... was a man t

n forgive you," she s

am replied. "I just nee

man who had once begged her to marry for the sake of their family name, now unsure

said, "Co

surprised. "

spered. "But

-

ng tea that had long gone cold. Her

how your face here

m. "But I'm not here to pretend anym

mily destroyed mine. I watched my business c

why I walked away. I won't le

the two men. "This isn't just about business

out another word. The silence he left

er than I expected," Li

te herself. "Don't g

-

, arms wrapped around herself. The stars abo

eside her but not too close

no

you reall

was starting to love you. And I was scare

But not of loving you... of not being enough

m. "Then maybe we

eyes. "Then

em. She reached for it, thinking it might be Jordan - her brother

wasn't

n unknow

. You're not safe. Leave hi

art po

it?" Lia

e. His jaw tightened. "So

arnin

ely flickering in his gaze. "We

ed slowly.

going to try trus

st wasn't still pulling t