Under the Veil I Rule novel Chapter 264

Liliana quickly straightened up, her face lighting up with a cheerful expression. "Hey there!" she said happily.

Finnian nodded in acknowledgment, just as another knock came at the door. "Come in," he called out, and Dorian walked in.

Liliana paused when she saw Dorian, swallowing back whatever she'd been about to say. With a smile, she said, "Oh, Mr. Hawke, you're here. You two go ahead and talk business, I'll leave you to it."

Liliana was the kind of person who knew how to make a graceful exit. Without waiting for Finnian to usher her out, she grabbed her purse and left.

As the office door clicked shut, Finnian leaned back and asked, "Second day of being a newlywed, and you're not at home with your wife? What's brought you out here?"

Dorian pulled up a chair and plopped down beside him with a huff. "Don't even get me started," he groaned. "Elysia's been acting so weird lately. She's been distant these past couple of days. Last night, she even turned me down. I can't figure out what's going on with her."

Dorian raked a hand through his hair, looking genuinely frustrated.

When he said Elysia was distant, he meant in the bedroom. Elysia used to be so enthusiastic, but lately, she was like a statue. When he asked her why she wasn't responsive, she just said she was tired. It was killing the mood for him, and after getting out of bed, he wasn't getting any affection from her. It was driving him insane.

Finnian shot him a look. "Isn't the reason obvious? She didn't want Jessica at the wedding, and you brought her anyway. Of course, she's upset."

"It's not that," Dorian insisted. "She never used to be like this."

He ruffled his hair again, then asked, "By the way, what's going on with you and Amara? You've been really taking her side lately."

Finnian lowered his gaze and said, "I like her."

They chose a cozy little diner on Galleria Lane. As they ate, Amara asked, "How's married life treating you? Has Dorian been any better?"

"Well, he's definitely better than he used to be. Maybe he's feeling the difference now that I'm not giving him much attention," Elysia said with a shrug.

"But he ran out this afternoon without saying a word. Probably went to see Jessica. It would have driven me crazy before, but now I just don't care."