Under the Veil I Rule novel Chapter 216

Amara remained silent. Married.

Yep, because they were married for three years, standing next to Finnian now made Amara super uncomfortable. She really wasn’t the kind of person who could have a cordial relationship with her ex.

"So, how did you get here?"

They'd already wrapped up the photoshoot, but Finnian seemed in no hurry to leave. He threw the question out there casually.

Amara glanced down at the photo, not really in the mood to admire Finnian's admittedly decent photography skills. All she wanted was for him to leave. “Took the shuttle bus,” she replied.

Finnian's mind flashed to the rickety old bus he’d seen parked by the shore earlier. He frowned slightly.

He stared at the top of Amara's head. She’d been fixated on the camera since they finished, flipping back and forth between photos without actually looking at them. What was she doing? Was she pretending to be busy just to avoid talking to him?

"Finn, Ms. Sullivan, what are you two up to?"

A voice with a hint of playfulness suddenly broke the silence.

Amara turned to see Liliana wiggling over in a snug-fitting dress, a smile playing on her lips as she linked her arm with Finnian's.

"Nothing much," Finnian replied, his tone flat.

Liliana gave a little "okay" and glanced at the camera in Amara's hands, surprised. "Ms. Sullivan, you brought a camera? Taking some pictures?"

"Yeah, a few," Amara said coolly, not really in the mood for chit-chat with Liliana. After all, she and Finnian were divorced; no point in getting into it with his new lady.

Liliana curled her lips upward as she asked, "Ms. Sullivan, could you do me a favor and snap a photo of Finn and me? We’ve been apart for years; it’s a pity we haven’t had some picture together."

Finnian glanced at her stomach, and then finally relented, letting Liliana lead him back a few steps. Though his expression was still cool, they were at least in frame now. Amara crouched down and took a couple of shots.

Thinking of how Finnian had adjusted the angle for her earlier, she figured it was only fair to do the same. She straightened up and suggested, "Move back a bit more. Let’s get another one."

Liliana seemed delighted, pulling Finnian further back, though he didn’t move. His eyes remained locked on Amara, his voice icy. "You’re really going to take more?"

Amara looked up from behind the camera, puzzled. Finnian's gaze was bone chilling, his tone as frigid as a winter's night. Was he upset?

She lowered the camera, responding, "Mr. Everly, if you don’t want a picture, then let's just skip it."

She’d tried to be polite and return the favor by getting a good shot of them, but if Finnian wasn’t appreciative, she certainly wasn’t going to force it.