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The blind billionaire's fake finance - Chapter 34


Chapter 34

"Sorry, I didn't know you were lactose intolerant," Finn said apologetically, his voice tinged with guilt.
"It's okay. You didn't know," Annie reassured him gently, but her words did little to ease Finn's remorse. He finished his breakfast in silence before trudging upstairs, leaving Annie watching him in bewilderment.
That evening,
Finn and Annie were expected to have dinner at Finn's family home. Annie had planned to wear something simple, but as she came downstairs, Finn's voice stopped her.
"What are you wearing today?" he asked casually.
Knowing Finn couldn't see, Annie gave a detailed description. "I'm wearing a short-sleeved, cream-colored dress. Why?"
Finn frowned, clearly unimpressed. He shook his head.
"You should wear something a bit more eye-catching. Did you put on any makeup?"
Annie shook her head before realizing he couldn't see the gesture. "No," she answered.
Finn pressed on. "You should put on a little makeup too. You'll want to look your best-there's a show worth watching tonight."
Annie had no idea what "show" Finn was referring to, but she obediently followed his advice. She applied a touch of light makeup and changed into an elegant yet graceful white dress.
When she stepped downstairs again, Finn instinctively raised an eyebrow, momentarily caught off guard by her beauty. However, he quickly masked his reaction, keeping his voice steady and indifferent.
"You're ready? Then let's go."
When they arrived at Finn's house, he naturally extended his arm. Annie hesitated for a moment before slipping her hand into his, linking arms in an intimate gesture. A fleeting warmth stirred within her at the sweetness of the action, but she quickly reminded herself-
This was an affectionate gesture meant for Finn's fiancée.
Not for her.
As they stepped inside, Ryan and Hubert were seated on the sofa, sipping tea. The moment they saw Finn and Annie enter, they greeted them enthusiastically, as if they were old friends.
"Finn and Sofia, you're here! Was the trip tiring?" Hubert smiled warmly, winking as he casually ran a hand through his hair.
Neither Finn nor Annie paid him any attention. Without so much as a glance, they settled onto the sofa, completely indifferent to his presence.
Being ignored didn't seem to faze Hubert. He carried on, undeterred.
"Sofia, it's been a while since we last met. I must say, you've grown even more beautiful. Stunning, truly."
Annie took no notice of the compliment, acting as if she hadn't heard it at all. She kept her gaze fixed ahead, treating Hubert as though he were nothing more than air.
After being disregarded twice, Hubert awkwardly scratched his nose. Yet, unwilling to give up, he turned to Finn once more.
"Finn, how's business been lately? Everything going smoothly?"
"I heard your company is negotiating a major project and has been meticulously preparing for the bidding process. Do you think you have a strong chance of securing the partnership?"
Finn didn't bother responding. He simply sat there, straight-backed like a statue, his expression unreadable.
At that moment, the man who had remained silent all along-Ryan-finally lost his patience.
"Finn, Sofia, what's the meaning of this? Are you ignoring Hubert, or do you just look down on others and refuse to answer?"
His frustration boiled over as he slammed his hand against the table, his voice ringing with indignation. His brows furrowed deeply, and his aged face twisted in anger. His voice was loud-commanding, even-but it did nothing to shake Finn or Annie.
Finn remained composed, his posture unyielding. A faint smirk tugged at his lips.
"Think whatever you want," he said coolly.
"There's no need for small talk. If you have something to say, just say it."
Seeing that Finn remained indifferent, showing no hint of intimidation, Ryan's demeanor softened slightly.
"Come to the dining room. We can talk over dinner. You must be hungry-join us for a meal."
He attempted to ease the tension, to smooth over the heavy atmosphere. But his efforts were in vain. Finn showed no inclination to move.
"If you have something to say, say it now," Finn replied flatly. 
"Sofia and I have dinner reservations at a restaurant later."
Ryan pretended not to catch Finn's meaning, maintaining his affable smile.
"Oh? Is that so? Where do you and Sofia plan to have dinner?"
"It's been a long time since our family dined out together. Why don't we all go tonight?"
Finn had no interest in playing the role of a harmonious father and son, much less in feigning closeness. He merely responded with a quiet, indifferent smile, letting silence settle over the room once more.
Just as Ryan, unable to bear the tension, was about to grasp at another topic of conversation, Finn finally spoke-his tone slow, almost lazy.
"Forget it. If you have something to ask, get to the point. I don't have time to waste."
Ryan and Hubert exchanged glances before Hubert cleared his throat and spoke first.
"Didn't you insist on breaking away to start your own business? It's been a while since we've heard any news about your company. Our father is concerned and simply wants to check in on how things are going."
Finn knew better than to believe in their sudden display of concern. Ryan was hardly the type to worry about him; this was just another attempt to put on the façade of a devoted father.
Before Finn could respond, Annie-who had been holding back-finally interjected, her voice sharp.
"Concern? What concern? If Finn's business were struggling, would either of you lift a finger to help? Or would you just stand by and sneer in contempt?"
"Don't pretend to be caring or concerned. You're just here to take advantage of Finn."
Annie didn't hesitate to lay bare the truth, her voice dripping with mockery. Finn gently pressed her shoulder, a silent gesture for her to calm down. Annie took a deep breath before continuing.
"If you have something to say, just spit it out. Finn and I are still affording you two the last shred of respect-respect for a fellow human being."
Ryan and Hubert's faces turned an angry shade of red, their expressions darkening, chests heaving with barely contained fury. Yet, for a long moment, neither of them could find the words to counter her.
Only then did Finn speak, his tone unhurried, almost indifferent.
"Just get to the point. No need for pretense."
Ryan looked at Hubert, and Hubert glanced back at Ryan, as if silently debating who should take the lead. In the end, Hubert cleared his throat and spoke up.
"You know, Finn, the company hasn't been doing too well lately. Some major investment projects have drained a significant amount of capital, but the returns have been slow to materialize. Right now, cash flow is tight, and keeping operations running smoothly has been... challenging."
He hesitated before pressing on.
"After all, you're family. I've heard your company is doing quite well-even gearing up to bid on a major project."
Hubert swallowed dryly before finally getting to the point.
"So... would you consider helping our company out?"
Finn had, of course, already predicted Ryan and Hubert’s true intentions before coming here. So when he finally heard them voice their request, he wasn’t the least bit surprised.
He let out a cold laugh—just as expected. Nothing deviated from his predictions.
Instead of responding directly, he taunted them with thinly veiled sarcasm.
"So you sent Tracy away for so long just to say this? That must have been quite the effort for you two."
Leaning back against the sofa, he tapped his fingers idly against his knee, his expression indifferent as he continued.
"But what a shame. I have no interest in investing."
"I’m not a fool. Why would I throw my money into something that won’t bring returns?"
He paused briefly before adding,
"Besides, do you two even deserve it? Why should I invest?"
"Out of some nonexistent family bond? Out of respect for two shameless men? Or should I invest out of gratitude for the years you spent crushing me beneath your feet?"
"For making my mother di* so suddenly?"
Finn’s tone remained calm, but every word struck like a blade. Hubert and Ryan’s faces darkened visibly, their expressions stiffening. Ryan opened his mouth as if to say something, but before he could speak, Finn continued.
"You want my help? Fine. I can consider it."
He let the words hang in the air for a moment before delivering his condition.
"But on one condition."
"Transfer all company shares under your and Hubert’s names to me. Consider it a buyout."









Chapter 35

"This is impossible. Finn, don't be too greedy."
Ryan growled in fury, slamming his fist onto the table with a force that left no room for negotiation. His stance was firm, uncompromising. Yet Finn showed no sign of wavering. He remained seated, unruffled, as if he hadn't even heard the outburst.
Instead, he gently patted Annie's arm, a silent reassurance against the hostility directed at them.
"Then so be it. I have no intention of negotiating further."
Finn rose from his seat, motioning for Annie to do the same.
"If you can't agree to these terms, then consider this discussion a failure. In that case, Sofia and I won't waste more of your time. We have other matters to attend to."
Without sparing another glance at the two men, Finn grasped Annie's hand and strode away, ignoring the calls from Hubert and Ryan urging him to stay.
The purpose of today's meeting had been achieved. He saw no reason to linger any longer.
As they stepped outside, Finn casually draped an arm over Annie's shoulders, his lips curling into an easy smile.
"Feels better. The same people who once dismissed you, who never even spared you a second glance-now they have no choice but to tread carefully around you."
"Last time, I brought you home only to let you get caught up in trouble. That was my mistake. It won't happen again."
His tone was calm, almost indifferent, yet Annie's heart trembled at his words.
No wonder Finn had insisted she dress beautifully today-it was all to ensure she appeared dazzling before those who had once looked down on her.
So that was it. He always paid attention to her feelings, even in the smallest of ways.
Annie's heart wavered once more, but she quickly suppressed it. She kept reminding herself.
She was Annie.
And all these sweet gestures-everything Finn did-were meant for his fiancée, Sofia.
"What are you thinking about, Sofia? Why are you so quiet?"
Finn's voice was soft as he noticed her silence stretching on. Annie merely let out a sigh.
"It's nothing. I guess sitting there for too long made me a little tired. Let's go home."
-
Lately, Finn had the distinct feeling that Annie was avoiding him. He had no proof, but the thought nagged at him.
After returning from Ryan's house, they had dinner at a romantic restaurant, yet their conversation was sparse.
And when they got home, she went straight to her room without lingering for even a moment longer.
Leaving Finn behind, momentarily stunned.
The next day, Annie left early and returned late. That evening, she even went out to meet friends instead of staying home.
Bored, Finn sat in his room, working on his laptop-until his phone rang. It was Mike.
"Hey, how's it going? Things going well with your fiancée?"
"When are you planning to marry Sofia?"
Mike's usual hearty voice came through the line, accompanied by a background of noise that made Finn frown. He pulled the phone away from his ear before answering.
"Get to the point. I don't have time for idle chatter."
Mike was long accustomed to Finn's cold, indifferent demeanor, so he chuckled before continuing.
"I caught you two having a sweet dinner on a yacht. Didn't expect that, huh?"
Laughter laced Mike's voice, mingling with the faint sounds of chatter in the background.
"Never thought someone as stiff as you could be romantic. That yacht is famous-you know how many couples have to book months in advance just to dine there?"
"I saw Sofia smiling so happily. She must've been overjoyed. Honestly, I envy you two."
Mike rambled on, oblivious to Finn's prolonged silence.
Finn sat there, staring blankly ahead, his mind momentarily frozen. It took him a long moment before he finally found his voice.
"That wasn't me. I'm at home."
Mike didn't believe him. His laughter only grew louder.
"Come on, don't be shy. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone you're actually a romantic at heart."
Finn repeated himself, his tone sharper this time.
"I'm not joking. I'm really at home."
"And Sofia... she left two hours ago."
Mike fell silent for a long moment. Then, Finn heard a string of curses from the other end of the line.
"Then who the f**k is the man having a romantic dinner with Sofia? Who is he?"
Finn shrugged, a self-mocking smile tugging at his lips.
"How would I know? If you hadn't told me, I wouldn't even have known that my fiancée was having a candlelit dinner with some other guy."
Realizing the gravity of the situation, even Mike lost his usual playful tone. He hesitated before speaking again.
"Are you okay, Finn? Don't get too worked up over this."
"Maybe it's just a misunderstanding. Let me look into it for you."
"Wait for me."
Mike's words were rushed, a poor attempt at consolation before he abruptly ended the call-probably to investigate the truth.
Now alone, Finn stared at the darkened phone screen, a faint, bitter smile still lingering.
So this was it.
If what Mike said was true, then everything finally made sense-the coldness, the avoidance, Annie pulling away from him in recent days.
Turns out, she had someone new.
And she was happy with him.
Finn sat there, staring blankly ahead, a suffocating weight settling in his chest. The thought of getting back to work felt meaningless now.
He just stared at the screen, waiting for a call.
Waiting for an answer to untangle the turmoil in his heart.
Time slipped by unnoticed.
Then, the dry, mechanical ring of his phone echoed through the room.
Finn suppressed the rush of emotions rising in his chest and pressed accept.
Mike's voice came through, sharp and frustrated.
"Finn, dam* it! I didn't even get close before Sofia and that guy disappeared. So I still don't know who the bastard ruining your happiness is."
Mike sounded genuinely pissed, cursing nonstop about missing the chance to see the mystery man.
But Finn barely registered a single word. His mind was a storm of emotions, tangled thoughts crashing into one another.
"Finn, are you there? Can you hear me?"
Mike finally paused, realizing that Finn had been silent this whole time. He hesitated, unsure.
Finn exhaled a low, raspy sound.
"It's nothing. Thanks for letting me know."
"I understand now. Sofia and I will handle this ourselves."
With that, Finn ended the call.
He lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
His heart had never felt this chaotic before.
Finn had too many thoughts running through his mind, but he forced himself to organize them.
He sat down in the living room, waiting for Annie to return. Every second that passed felt like torment.
Finally, the familiar sound of the front door opening reached his ears. Finn turned stiffly, forcing out a dry greeting.
Annie, unaware of the storm brewing inside him, responded, as usual, her tone light and natural. She was about to head upstairs when Finn called out.
"Sofia, do you have a moment? Can we talk?"
Annie nodded and sat down beside him.
Silence stretched between them. Finn didn't speak for so long that Annie nearly lost patience.
Then, at last, his voice came-low and measured.
"Where did you just come from?"
Annie answered honestly.
"I went to meet a friend and had dinner together. I told you before, didn't I?"
She frowned slightly, puzzled by his sudden questioning. But Finn remained cold, pressing further.
"A friend? Male or female? How close are you?"
Annie's confusion deepened at his insistence.
Of course, she couldn't possibly tell him the truth-that she had met up with Denis and had dinner with him and his mother.
After all, if Finn heard the truth, he would likely misunderstand the nature of her relationship with Denis. Not to mention, he had no idea that her mother was acquainted with Denis’s mother. If she tried to explain everything, the situation would only become more complicated.
So Annie chose not to elaborate.
"A male friend. We’re… fairly close."
The moment Finn heard that he let out a sharp laugh—cold, laced with mockery. His voice carried an unmistakable edge as he questioned her.
"A male friend… or your boyfriend, Sofia?"








Chapter 36

Annie never expected that Finn would confront her like this, in the end. She blinked at him, unable to grasp the mocking undertone laced with sarcasm in his words.
She also couldn't understand why he suddenly seemed so angry.
Annie was stunned.
"What do you mean? Boyfriend? What boyfriend?"
She had assumed Finn was upset because he knew about her dinner at Denis's house with him and his mother. But his words only deepened her confusion.
"Don't play innocent, Sofia. I know everything."
Finn had no intention of arguing with Annie, but her feigned ignorance only fueled the fire inside him. He pressed on.
"My friend saw you with his own eyes-having a romantic dinner with your so-called boyfriend on a yacht. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
Annie blinked, momentarily unable to process what Finn was implying. She had no idea what he was talking about. Facing his sudden outburst, the only emotion she felt was bewilderment.
Then, a thought flickered through her mind, offering a vague understanding of what Finn meant. She sighed as if resigning herself to fate.
And then, she slipped into character.
"What boyfriend? You've got it all wrong, Finn."
"Didn't I tell you my friend just returned to the country? His girlfriend is a local."
Annie shrugged innocently.
"He wanted to take her on a yacht dinner, but he wasn't sure about the food there-afraid it might not suit her taste."
"That's why he asked me to go with him first, to test it out. Later, he'd take his girlfriend himself. I don't have a boyfriend, Finn-you've misunderstood."
She came up with an explanation and delivered it as though it were the absolute truth, her voice steady and serious.
Finn lowered his gaze, skepticism flickering in his eyes as he tried to determine whether her words were believable.
"I mean it. Why would I lie to you? He's just my friend. There's nothing between us-he's not my boyfriend."
Finn remained silent for a long moment before finally responding.
"Hmm... Can I trust you?"
Annie spoke with genuine sincerity.
"I swear, I'm not lying to you."
Her unwavering tone seemed to convince him at last. With a reluctant sigh, Finn finally conceded.
"Sorry. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions without understanding everything. That was my fault-I didn't think things through."
His apology was honest, and only then did Annie secretly sigh in relief.
She smiled and said it was fine. After all, this misunderstanding had happened because she hadn't explained things clearly to him from the start.
With that, the matter was settled. There was nothing more to discuss between Annie and Finn. She got up, saying she was tired, and would head upstairs to shower, leaving Finn alone at the table.
Finn watched her retreating figure, his mind swirling with countless thoughts.
Was she upset because he had doubted her and failed to trust her?
Or had something he said earlier offended her, making her unwilling to talk to him any longer?
...
As for Annie,
Once she was upstairs,
She quietly made a phone call to Sofia.
Loud music and the chaotic noise of a bar filled the background. There was no need to ask-Sofia was clearly out partying again.
"You country bumpkin, what do you want?"
Annie got straight to the point, skipping any pleasantries.
"Tonight, you had dinner on a yacht with some guy, didn't you?"
Sofia raised an eyebrow in surprise, amused that Annie knew about it. She scoffed.
"So what? What's it to you? Jealous?"
Annie sighed, her voice calm as she gave a warning.
"Jealous? Please. I'm just reminding you-don't be too flashy with your actions."
"Today, Finn's friend saw you having dinner on the yacht with him. Finn even interrogated me about it."
"Next time, be more careful with what you do. I can't always clean up your mess for you."
Annie had no choice but to issue a subtle threat.
"I'm sure you wouldn't want the truth to come out this soon, would you?"
Sofia was about to snap back, but at Annie's words, she hesitated for a moment. Then, she smirked, unconcerned.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it. No need to nag."
"I'll just be more careful when I go out next time. As long as no one recognizes me, it's fine, right?"
With that, she hung up abruptly, not bothering to wait for Annie's reply.
Annie, already used to Sofia's brash attitude, sighed and let it go.
...
The next day.
When Annie stepped out of the house, she was met with Hubert's bright, beaming face.
"Hi, good morning. Did you sleep well last night?"
Caught off guard by his unexpected appearance, Annie instinctively took a step back, a look of displeasure flashing across her face. She narrowed her eyes at him.
"What are you doing here? Are you that bored?"
"If you have so much free time, find something useful to do. You might be idle, but I'm not."
Her irritation was evident in both her expression and tone. However, Hubert acted as if he didn't notice, maintaining his easygoing grin.
"What's wrong? Why so cold? I just wanted to show some concern for you."
Seeing that Hubert had no intention of stepping aside, Annie stood her ground, crossing her arms in irritation.
"Concern? Concern for your brother's fiancée? Do you think that makes any sense, Hubert?"
"Don't you feel disgusting saying something like that?"
"Are you sure that's normal?"
Each question struck deeper, and with every word, Hubert's face flushed a deeper shade of red. Perhaps even he realized how shameless he was being. He let out a dry chuckle and changed the subject.
"Have you had breakfast yet? Got time to grab a bite with me?"
"There's a nice restaurant nearby."
Annie glanced at her watch-she was almost late for work. She had no time to waste on Hubert.
"Actually, can you do me a favor?"
Hubert's eyes lit up, and he eagerly nodded.
"Of course. How can I help you?"
Annie's gaze was indifferent as she replied,
"Can you help me by getting out of my way? And preferably disappearing somewhere far, far away?"
"I don't have time to waste on someone so shameless."
The moment she finished speaking, the last traces of Hubert's smile faded. With a stiff expression, he finally stepped aside, though he hadn't given up just yet.
"Where are you headed? I can drive you."
Annie let out a dry laugh.
"No need. My driver will take me," Annie said coolly. "Now, move aside, and stop disturbing Finn while he's resting inside."
Without another word, she turned and walked away.
Hubert watched her retreating figure, his once sycophantic smile fading. He licked his lips, a sly smirk forming.
"Well, well... It is getting more and more interesting."
Afternoon.
Finn sat leisurely on a chair, reading a financial news report. Across from him, Mike rested his chin on his palm, looking utterly bored.
"Hey, how long do you plan to keep up this blind act?" Mike grumbled. "I have to keep showing up at your house, pretending to give you therapy-it's getting tedious."
Finn didn't even spare him a glance, his eyes still fixed on the news.
"It's not time yet. Sofia still hasn't said she loves me. Her feelings aren't stable."
"I want to use this chance to pretend a little longer, to get closer to her."
Mike rolled his eyes.
"And to think you used to swear up and down that you'd never fall for Sofia."
"You wanna close the distance? Easy. I can help you with that."
At this, Finn finally looked up from the screen, turning his gaze toward Mike.
"How?"
Mike smirked, resting his chin on his palm, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Call me 'Dad,' and I'll tell you."
Finn shot him a glare, his patience visibly thinning.
"Wanna see if I'll throw you out the window?"
Mike let out a sigh of exasperation, stretching lazily.
“You’re so boring, Finn. Whatever, just leave it to me. But remember—you owe me a ‘Dad’ after this.”
He patted his back as if preparing for a grand mission, smirking as he stood up.
“Alright, today’s therapy session is over. Later, I’ll have a little chat with your beautiful fiancée—give you a boost. Make sure to seize the opportunity.”
Before leaving, he winked and added,
“Remember what I said—playing the pitiful card is the fastest way to get closer.”
“This father can only help his son this much, Finn. The rest… depends on your charm.”
Mike chuckled as he said this, then walked away without looking back.
“...”
Finn watched him go, unsure whether to be amused or annoyed.
Mike seemed far too confident about whatever he was planning to say to Annie.
Still… Finn couldn’t deny that he was curious.
Just what kind of trick did Mike have up his sleeve this time?








Chapter 37

As Annie returned home, she happened to run into Mike just as he was coming down the stairs. With a gentle step, she approached him, her voice filled with concern.
"How was Finn's therapy today? Do you think there's a good chance he'll regain his sight completely?"
Mike stroked his chin, pretending to be deep in thought.
"The treatment is going well. There's been some progress."
"But lately..." He paused deliberately before continuing, "I've noticed that Finn's mood hasn't been great. He seems distracted, even during therapy."
Mike carefully observed Annie's expression, and when he saw the flicker of worry cross her face, he felt satisfied. Then, with a grave tone, he added,
"You're his fiancée, aren't you? Do me a favor and take care of him more, will you? If he's in good spirits and cooperates with the treatment, he'll recover his vision sooner."
He even cleared his throat for emphasis, as if the matter were of utmost importance. Annie nodded earnestly, promising to be more attentive to Finn.
She didn't notice the faint smirk curling at the corner of Mike's lips as he walked away.
Upstairs
Annie knocked softly on Finn's door, her voice gentle.
"Finn, are you there? May I come in?"
Finn had originally intended to respond in his usual calm tone, but remembering Mike's advice from earlier, he decided to play along.
His voice came out weak, almost fragile.
"Come in."
And with that, he swiftly closed his tablet, tucking it beneath his pillow before she could enter.
Then, in a swift motion, Finn adjusted his posture, deliberately sitting on the bed as if lost in deep thought.
Thus, the scene Annie walked into was one of quiet melancholy-Finn sitting on the edge of the bed, head slightly bowed, dark strands of hair falling over his forehead.
The room was bathed in the soft glow of warm yellow light, the curtains drawn back just enough to let the late afternoon sunlight filter through. Annie guessed that Mike had done that before he left.
At this moment, golden rays cascaded over Finn's figure, casting him in a solitary, sorrowful light.
Annie stepped closer, gently lowering herself onto the bed beside him.
"How was today's therapy? How are you feeling?"
Finn shook his head, letting out an exaggerated sigh, making sure she would hear it clearly.
"Nothing much." His voice carried a hint of bitterness. 
"I'm blind-what kind of progress could there be?"
He let out a self-mocking chuckle, laced with quiet sorrow.
"The chances of recovery aren't high anyway. I don't even dare to hope."
These words were something Finn had never shared with Annie before. Normally, he carried an air of indifference, cold and detached.
Annie's heart clenched at his rare vulnerability. Without hesitation, she reached out, wrapping a comforting arm around his shoulder, her voice soothing.
"Why would you say that? Finn, Mike said there's still hope. As long as you actively cooperate with the treatment..."
"You'll see again, just like before."
Finn lowered his head even further, his posture exuding an even deeper sense of solitude. His voice, hoarse and trembling slightly, carried an unmistakable weight.
"That's just something people say to give me hope, Annie. I've been blind for so long... I've been undergoing treatment for so long... but has there been any real progress?"
"It's just Mike trying to keep me from despairing, that's all."
With another dejected sigh, Finn felt himself suddenly pulled into a warm embrace.
For a brief moment, he froze. Then, he felt the soft touch of Annie's fingers gently stroking through his hair.
"It'll be okay, Finn. You'll recover soon."
"You'll see again, just like before. Don't worry too much, alright?"
A quiet joy bloomed within Finn's chest, yet he maintained his sorrowful façade, even allowing his shoulders to tremble ever so slightly in Annie's arms.
"Sofia... have you ever resented the fact that your fiancé is nothing more than a blind, useless man?"
Finn let out a weary sigh.
"I hold no real power in my family. I'm not some brilliant billionaire. I'm just the lesser man compared to my stepbrother."
"In the end... if you were to marry Hubert instead, you'd live a far more luxurious life."
He spoke the thoughts that had long been buried in his heart.
From an outsider's perspective, Annie becoming his fiancée might have seemed like a source of shame. But Annie didn't see it that way. She gently shook her head, offering Finn words of comfort.
"Who told you that? Compared to Hubert, you're so much better."
Annie's smile was soft and reassuring.
"You're more talented, kinder, more caring, and smarter too. You're also far more handsome than Hubert."
"So what if you don't have any real authority in Ryan's company? You've started your own business, you're not relying on anyone. That's the part of you I admire the most."
With gentle words, Annie slowly began to lift Finn's spirits, listing the things she loved about him so he wouldn't get lost in negative thoughts.
"You're only temporarily blind. It's not permanent. You have to believe in the future, Finn, that one day, you'll return to normal."
Her voice blended with the evening breeze, and for a moment, Finn felt his heart stir. It was as if the sound of Annie's words, like the soft chime of silver bells, and the warmth of her embrace, were enough to make him wish this moment could last forever.
"Trust Mike and cooperate with his treatment. I believe you can do it, and you'll do it well."
Annie, noticing Finn's despondency, gently encouraged him, her voice warm and sincere. Slowly, Finn began to calm down, but there was still an emptiness in his heart that he couldn't quite shake. He leaned in slightly, wrapping an arm around her shoulder as if seeking some kind of solace in the touch.
"But even if I do succeed, so what? You don't love me," Finn muttered quietly, lowering his head. His voice was heavy with sadness. "You're just pitying me."
From the very beginning, Finn had noticed. Annie didn't love him. It was inevitable. Their encounters had been so few that to say Annie was in love with him was a lie. In addition, he'd always been cold and indifferent toward her, and there was that time when she moved in and he'd spoken cruelly, leaving her hurt. So it wasn't surprising that Annie didn't have feelings for him.
Finn knew the truth: Annie stayed with him for two reasons.
First, because she was still technically his fiancée, and abandoning him now would draw unwanted judgment. People would talk, accusing her of being greedy for wealth, abandoning him in his time of need, and betraying their love.
Second, because Annie was kind-hearted and compassionate.
No matter the reason, Finn was certain of one thing: it wasn't love.

Finn drifted in his thoughts, a deep sorrow filling him. Annie remained silent for a long while, which only strengthened his belief in his conclusions.
But then, he felt the warmth of Annie's hand gently resting on his cheek, caressing him tenderly.
"Why do you think that?" Annie tilted her head, gazing directly at him as she asked. She blinked, her smile soft and full of tenderness.
"Why do you underestimate yourself like this?"
Annie lightly tapped his forehead in a playful, affectionate manner. Finn pondered for a moment, then, in a hoarse voice, responded.
"If it weren’t true, then what? I didn’t say anything wrong, did I?"
Finn was about to speak again, but Annie was quicker. She placed her hand over his lips to stop him from talking, her smile growing, reaching the corners of her eyes.
In the soft evening light, with a gentle breeze flowing, her voice, sweet and mixed with laughter, carried through the air.
"How could that be wrong? It's completely wrong."
She leaned in and kissed Finn's forehead sincerely. Then, much to his astonishment, she replied.
"Compassion? No, I don't have that much pity."
The warmth in her gaze intensified as she added softly, "I take care of you carefully, gently, like this... because..."
Annie spoke in a half-finished sentence, leaving her words hanging in the air, and Finn’s heart seemed to stop, caught in the tension. His hand clenched ever so slightly as the moments stretched on, a rising sense of nervousness building inside him.
He waited, anxiously anticipating her next words.
But what he didn’t expect, what he couldn’t prepare for, was the sudden, soft press of her warm lips against his. 
The world seemed to pause, his heart thundering in his chest, its rhythm wild and uncontrollable.









Chapter 38


"Of course, it's because I love you."
Annie tilted her head, playfully blinking at Finn. Though she knew he couldn't see it, her gaze remained filled with deep affection.
"If not for love, I wouldn't have been so kind as to take care of you for so long, with such devotion. I'm not that good of a person, you know."
Finn pondered for a long moment as if trying to discern whether Annie was telling the truth or merely trying to comfort him. Gently, she stroked his cheek again and softly asked,
"And what about you, Finn? Do you love me?"
Her sweet voice lured Finn into a daze, drawing him into the warmth of his own heart. Dazedly, he nodded, obediently.
"What do you think?"
Finn mimicked her teasing tone, throwing the question back at her. Annie pouted.
"How would I know? You've never told me anything about it before."
She huffed, lips pursed in feigned annoyance. Finn found her utterly endearing, as her childish tone made him cup her face, lean in, and deepen their kiss-so much so that Annie nearly lost her breath, gripping the fabric of his shirt before he finally let go, satisfied.
Now, her soft lips were slightly swollen, tinted with a deeper shade of pink, edged with a hint of red. Finn's gaze lingered, and before he knew it, he found himself licking his lips as if drawn in by the sight.
"It's my answer. I love you too, darling."
With their feelings laid bare, their gestures naturally became more intimate. At the very least, Finn no longer had to spend each day second-guessing Annie's feelings for him.
That evening.
After dinner, they did something rare-sitting together on the sofa to watch a movie. Watching a film with a blind person might seem unusual, but both Annie and Finn find a peculiar kind of romance in it.
Finn couldn't see, but he could listen-he could hear the dialogue, and imagine the characters' actions in his mind. Meanwhile, Annie would describe everything to him-the way the characters looked, how they acted, their expressions.She filled in the details he couldn't see, painting vivid images with her words.
It was something new.
And surprisingly enjoyable.
"The woman speaking just now is the beautiful actress I told you about," Annie narrated seriously, still nestled in Finn's embrace. "She just caught her husband cheating on her at a hotel. She walked in and saw him getting cozy with another woman in bed."
"That's why she just slapped him-that loud sound you heard."
Finn nodded thoughtfully, picturing the scene in his mind as vividly as he could.
"Wait, you better not turn into a terrible man like that in the future. I don't want to catch you cheating in a hotel like she did."
The mere thought of it made Annie shiver slightly. Sensing her unease, Finn gently rubbed her shoulder, his voice steady and sincere.
"Don't worry, I'm not that kind of person. When I love, I love only you."
Annie finally relaxed at his words, nodding before turning her attention back to the movie.
After the film ended, Annie led Finn upstairs as usual. She carefully helped him lie down and was just about to leave when a deep, familiar voice called out from behind.
"Hey, don't you think you forgot something?"
Puzzled, Annie turned around to see Finn lying on the bed, his expression slightly sulky.
"Forgot what?"
She looked at him, watching as he sat up leisurely, his tone carrying a hint of amusement.
"Do you not know, or are you just pretending?"
Hearing that, Annie earnestly tried to recall if she had indeed forgotten something. But no matter how much she thought, she couldn't figure out what Finn was referring to. She blinked in confusion.
"What do you mean? Can you explain that?"
Finn sighed, pulling her closer before placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"A goodnight kiss. Don't tell me you didn't know about that?"
After a moment of confusion, Annie finally giggled softly. She placed a light kiss on Finn's forehead, her voice playful.
"Why is my fiancé so adorable? So, this is what you were talking about?"
Finn nodded vigorously.
"Of course! What else could it be? And yet you stood there all confused, asking me what I meant."
Trying to hide her laughter, Annie leaned in and kissed his lips. Afterward, she licked her lips, savoring the sweetness lingering on them as she spoke.
"Alright, alright. It's my fault-I was too slow to catch on. I'm sorry. I'll remember from now on."
Satisfied with her apology, Finn finally let the matter go. He buried his face into the crook of her neck, breathing in the soft, familiar scent that always soothed him.
"Fine, I'll let you off this time."
Annie chuckled softly, turning to leave. But before she could take a step, Finn caught her hand again, his voice low and persistent.
"Still don't feel like something's missing, Sofia?"
She turned back, blinking curiously at him.
"What now? Didn't I already give you a goodnight kiss?"
Finn shook his head, clearly unimpressed. Annie blinked again, even more confused. With a resigned sigh, Finn finally explained.
"We're already engaged-getting married is only a matter of time."
"Don't you think it's a little strange that we're still sleeping in separate rooms?"
Annie froze at his words. She had never really thought about it before.
When she first arrived, the two were practically strangers-of course, sharing a bed wasn't an option. As time passed, their relationship improved, but it still hadn't reached that level of intimacy.
So, she never found it strange that they slept separately.
But now, judging by Finn's tone, it seemed like... hmm... was this unreasonable?
"Then... what should we do?"
Her voice was soft, almost innocent, as she blinked at him in confusion. Finn sighed, but in the end, he patiently explained.
"How can we sleep apart, darling? Don't you think it's time we shared a bed?"
"If people found out that we're engaged yet still sleeping in separate rooms, what do you think they'd say? That our relationship is falling apart? That we're just pretending to be in love?"
His fingers gently ruffled her hair, his voice warm and coaxing-like someone patiently lulling a child. Slowly, bit by bit, he tried to win her over.
"Don't you think so?"
Annie bit her lip lightly. He had a point. Considering their engagement, it wasn't exactly normal for them to be so distant.
But the real problem was... she wasn't Sofia.
How could she possibly share a bed-intimately-with Sofia's fiancé?
It didn’t make any sense at all!
Annie’s eyes darted around as she quickly searched for an excuse. But before she could say anything, she heard Finn’slonely voice.
"Or… were you just pretending to love me all along? Just so I wouldn’t feel hurt or abandoned? And in reality, you don’tlove me at all—you still see me as a stranger?"
His head lowered slightly, making his voice sound even more fragile. Annie, of course, couldn’t bear to see him like this. She hurriedly reached out, gently ruffling his hair as she protested.
"How could you think that? I didn’t say I love you out of pity."
Finn pressed his lips together, but his voice remained just as lost as before.
"Then prove it. Because I don’t feel it."
Annie sank deeper into her thoughts, feeling utterly trapped.
She couldn’t reject him outright—not when he looked so pitiful. His expression tugged at her heartstrings, making it impossible to say no.
But she couldn’t agree either.
Because how could she possibly allow herself to be that close, that intimate, with Sofia’s fiancé?
Wouldn’t that make her… shameless?
While she hesitated, Finn let out a small sigh and gently nudged her away before lying back down.
"Alright, just go back to your room. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable."
"If you don’t want to, then forget it. I can sleep alone—it’s fine."
"After all, I don’t deserve to be loved. I’m just a failure."
Each word Finn spoke only deepened Annie’s guilt, making it even harder for her to refuse him. She quickly reached for his hand, her voice urgent.
"Don’t say that! Who said I was going back to my room?"
"I’ll sleep here with you. I’ll just go grab my things real quick."
Her decision came swiftly, and without hesitation, she spun around and hurried back to her room to pack.
She didn’t know—
The moment she turned away,
The pitiful, wounded expression on Finn’s face vanished completely.
All that remained was a triumphant smile, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
His goal had been achieved.

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