Under the Veil I Rule (Amara) novel Chapter 783

"Do you think it's possible for two adults in a relationship to just date without ever sleeping together?"

Keith looked genuinely surprised. "Come on, what kind of adult couple only dates without sleeping together? This isn't the '90s anymore."

"These days, people don't even need to be in a committed relationship to end up in bed together," he continued. "So if they're actually together, what's the point of even asking?"

Amara admitted to herself that Keith was probably right. When Finnian and Liliana were dating, they were already in college—in their twenties, at least. It was hard to believe they had only dated innocently. Thinking back now, she realized she shouldn’t have believed otherwise.

"No reason, just curious," she replied, her tone noticeably downcast.

The more she thought about Finnian and Liliana, the more certain she was that they’d been intimate. The thought only soured her mood further.

Keith didn't know what was going on, but he could easily tell Amara wasn’t herself.

He pulled her gently into his arms and patted her on the back. "Hey, don't get so upset. If something’s bothering you, talk to me—maybe I can help."

The sudden hug made Amara uncomfortable.

Truth be told, hugs between them had always been natural whenever one of them was feeling down.

But after Keith had confessed his feelings to her, even small gestures like this started to feel awkward.

She gave Keith a light punch on the shoulder. "Let me go. What are you doing, acting like this in broad daylight?"

She said it half-jokingly, but her refusal was firm.

In the past, she never would have turned down a hug from him. But things were different now, and Keith understood exactly why.

And just seeing him reminded Amara of that anonymous photo, probably sent by Liliana.

Finnian could be out there hugging Liliana, but the second he saw her and Keith close, suddenly it was a problem?

Amara wrenched her arm away. "Don’t touch me. Whatever we're doing, it's none of your business."

Her tone was icy, even tinged with disgust.

Finnian froze in place. Why was Amara speaking to him like this? Just a couple of days ago everything between them had seemed fine.

He looked into Amara’s eyes and saw her staring back with guarded defiance—distance and rejection clear in her gaze. It stung him deeply.

"Amara… did something happen?" he asked, unable to keep the concern from his voice.