Chapter 14
Annie returned to her room, and she and Finn shared some pastries. She savored each bite as she recounted the earlier conversation, noticing a subtle furrow in Finn's brow.
"Next time, don't argue with Hubert or Tracy," she cautioned. "Neither of them is particularly gracious, and if you provoke them, they might find ways to harm you."
"I can't always be there in time to protect you," Finn replied. "You know, my inability to see everything is a limitation. You should be more cautious to avoid getting entangled in trouble."
Annie nodded and promised to heed Finn's advice. She found his counsel quite sensible. It was remarkable how a woman with a husband and a son of her own could captivate Ryan, and how a son of the previous man of Tracy could succeed in winning Ryan's affection and becoming the heir, and certainly not through gentle means.
After they finished their meal, Annie fetched a small tray and headed to the kitchen. When she returned, Finn was lying in a corner of the bed. Swiftly, she changed into her nightwear, brushed her teeth, and settled on the other side of the bed, extinguishing the light.
In the darkness, it seemed that her senses became sharper. She could still feel Finn's steady and calm heartbeat. Even though they had shared a bed earlier that afternoon, she couldn't quite get used to this feeling. After all, she had rarely been this close to any man, let alone slept beside one.
"If you can't sleep, I can sleep on the sofa to make you more comfortable," Finn offered.
Feeling the subtle restlessness beside him as Annie tossed and turned, Finn could sense her discomfort and gently suggested, though he didn't want Annie to feel obliged to sleep on the uncomfortable and cramped sofa.
"It's alright. I just had some pastries, so I'm still full. That's why I can't sleep yet. I'll be fine in a little while."
In the darkness, Finn chuckled softly at these innocent words but didn't say anything more. He murmured in agreement, causing Annie to blush.
Sometime later, Annie still couldn't close her eyes, occasionally shifting in bed, making faint rustling sounds. She blinked up at the ceiling. Using a gentle and tender tone, she called out to Finn.
"Finn, have you fallen asleep?"
Of course, Finn hadn't fallen asleep yet. He pursed his lips and replied with a hoarse, deep voice in the quiet night, which was even more enchanting.
Annie hesitated, gathered her courage, and added, "Would you like to watch a horror movie? After all, we're both still awake, so let's consider it as a way of entertainment."
Finn made a slight "Mmm" and turned to sit up, and Annie followed suit. She enthusiastically turned on the light, took her laptop, and started searching for recent popular horror films. But then she remembered an issue: Finn was blind!
Inviting a blind person to watch a horror movie was a cruel twist of fate, an offense against Finn's disability. Annie slapped her forehead; it must have been the late hour clouding her judgment. She hesitantly looked at Finn, who had remained calm throughout without any reminder.
"Um, Finn, how about we listen to music instead? Do you want to hear ballads, rap, or instrumental music?"
Annie's voice wavered and was tinged with guilt, and Finn now vaguely guessed what she was hesitating about. He kept his gaze ahead, his smile a bit indulgent.
"It's alright. Let's continue with the horror movie. Even though I'm blind, I can still hear the sounds and guess the plot."
Annie tried to protest a few more times, but Finn's gentle encouragement made her feel more at ease. So, she reluctantly chose a new horror film that had recently been released.
Annie and Finn sat closely together, engrossed in the screen - one intently watching, the other deeply immersed in the audio. It was an odd scene, but it had a harmonious charm.
The film had all the elements of a typical horror movie. A group of friends heard rumors about a haunted house in the city and, excited and curious, decided to live there for a week. During this time, they gradually uncovered the truth about the haunted house and the death of a woman who had once lived there.
The movie featured numerous spine-chilling scenes that made Annie shiver, her eyes tightly shut at times. She loved the thrill of watching horror films, but this one felt eerily realistic, sending shivers down her spine.
In contrast, Finn remained motionless, his eyes fixed forward, attentively listening. Annie tried to suppress her fear and continued to watch the movie but found herself inching closer to Finn, seeking comfort in his presence.
As the movie reaches its climax, the group of friends faces constant danger and continues to encounter the woman's ghost, and they must fulfill her final wish. At this point, the ghost's husband, who had murdered her for her wealth, also appeared. The friends started experiencing accidents and deaths due to the vengeful spirits. Now, Annie tense and jittery, sat close to Finn, her trembling hand clutching his shirt.
Finn chuckled, taking hold of Annie's soft hands and wrapping his arm around her shoulder. "It's okay. If you're scared, you can lean on me. And if it gets too much, we can stop watching."
Annie, being stubborn, shook her head, signaling her desire to continue. She carefully leaned against Finn and fixed her gaze on the screen, not taking her eyes off it.
Annie saw more and more ghosts appearing in the house, and the living members of the group were dwindling. They wanted to leave. But they found that the man's ghost still haunted them. The plot became increasingly captivating, and Annie grew more and more frightened. As the movie neared its end, she clung tightly to Finn, burying her head in his chest and tightly shutting her eyes.
"I can't watch anymore, I can't watch anymore, I'm too scared," she pleaded.
Finn extended his hand and, after a moment, managed to turn off the laptop. He gently stroked Annie's back, offering comfort. Despite feeling embarrassed and ashamed, Annie didn't dare to leave Finn's embrace.
Every gentle breeze that passed by now sent shivers down her spine.
"It's alright. I'm here. Can we go to sleep now? It's quite late," Finn patiently reassured Annie. After a while, her breathing returned to normal, and she softly mumbled "Mmm."
The two of them lay down together, and at this moment, the distance between them had diminished, their bodies much closer. Annie's hand still trembled as it clung to the edge of Finn's shirt.
Annie vowed to herself that she would never invite Finn to watch a movie like this again, knowing the fear it would instill in her.
Chapter 15
Turning off the lights made everything around them appear more elusive and eerie, causing Annie to tense up. She didn't even dare to breathe normally. She always had this feeling that whenever she closed her eyes, the ghosts from the movie would draw nearer to her, and this thought successfully pushed her closer to Finn.
Finn's calm and steady nature provided her with a great sense of security. Perhaps Finn had also noticed that Annie wasn't quite herself. After a while, he gently pulled her closer, like earlier when he had patted her back.
"It's okay, don't be scared. It's just part of the movie, not real."
The warm body temperature and Finn's firm chest made Annie feel truly comforted. She snuggled closer to Finn, closed her eyes, and drifted off to sleep.
As her fear subsided, Annie began to feel more relaxed. However, at this moment, her cheeks were tinged with a rosy hue. She had been too scared earlier to notice, but now she realized that Finn was holding her, and she was holding him intimately. They were so close that Annie's hair lightly brushed against Finn's chin, and all it would take was for her to tilt her head, and they could kiss.
The thought once again sent Annie's heart racing, as it seemed that in front of Finn, she always found herself shy. Finn's arms continued to rhythmically pat her on the back, with just the right amount of pressure that made it all very soothing.
She couldn't think too much and soon succumbed to sleep. Before fully submerging into slumber, she made a mental note to keep a bit more distance from Finn in the future and to avoid watching horror films to steer clear of similar troubles.
Annie could sense that Tracy would likely be angry and seeking revenge after Annie had scolded her the night before, but she didn't expect trouble to come so quickly.
The next morning, as Annie and Finn woke up, they dressed in comfortable clothes and went downstairs for breakfast. After a hearty breakfast, they both appeared to be in good spirits. Nevertheless, their stay here hadn't brought any pleasant memories.
Annie slowly led Finn downstairs. They took their seats at the dining table. At this point, everyone had gathered, and the meal was about to begin. However, before Annie could even sit down, she heard Tracy speak.
"Sofia, pour me a glass of water."
Tracy's tone was cold and commanding, with a hint of smugness. With so many people present, Annie didn't want to cause a scene, so she obediently replied, "Yes," and turned to pour Tracy a glass of warm water.
On the other hand, Tracy remained dissatisfied, still treating Annie like a servant.
"Oh, Sofia, could you also pour me a glass of orange juice? Thanks in advance," Tracy said with a smirk, directing her request toward Annie.
Annie noticed Finn's mouth moving as if he wanted to say something. Afraid that Finn's scolding of Tracy might escalate the tension further, she quickly placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, and Finn remained silent.
Annie poured Tracy another orange juice glass and placed it on the table. As if suddenly remembering something, Tracy covered her mouth and spoke again.
"Oh, Sofia, I forgot. The antique vase I ordered two days ago has been delivered. Could you go outside and fetch it for me, please?"
"This is the last time, please," Tracy added with condescension.
Annie suppressed her anger and clenched her fists as she left the room. She couldn't help but think that Tracy was petty and vindictive.
Annie slipped on her sandals and walked out to the gate. The delivery person was already waiting there. They politely handed the vase to Annie and left. Annie couldn't fathom why a seemingly expensive and delicate vintage vase wasn't carefully packaged in boxes but was handed to her directly. She shrugged and lifted it carefully, proceeding towards the house.
While Annie was slowly making her way forward like a turtle, a housemaid approached her and deliberately bumped into Annie, causing her to stumble to the side. The vase fell to the ground with a loud crash. Still dazed from the collision, Annie hadn't fully realized what had happened when she saw Tracy rushing out, shouting loudly.
"Sofia, why were you so careless? Do you know how much this vase is worth? Ten thousand dollars!"
"Indeed, had I known, I wouldn't have entrusted you with this task. Now the vase is completely shattered."
The housekeeper who had bumped into Annie had disappeared quickly, and it suddenly dawned on her that this might all be part of Tracy's scheme. She blamed herself for not being more careful and for falling into this trap. She winced from the pain as she stood up and could hear Tracy's aggressive scolding.
"Sofia, you've disappointed me greatly. Didn't your parents teach you to be careful when carrying fragile items? Or was it because you don't like me, and that's why you shattered this vase out of spite?"
"Why don't you say anything, Sofia? Are you mute? Making a mistake and not knowing how to apologize. Your ignorance will surely make your parents ashamed to have a daughter like you."
"Have you said enough, Tracy?"
Finn's voice is as cold as ice, directly cut through Tracy's words, carrying a powerful force that sent shivers down Annie's spine. He slowly descended the stairs, concerned for Annie, and called her, stepping up to her side and gently taking her hand to reassure her.
Initially, Tracy had rushed out ahead to berate Annie, and Finn, unaware of what was happening, had remained seated at the dining table, waiting for Annie to return. However, when some time had passed without Annie's return, and he heard Tracy's angry voice from outside, he knew something was amiss and stepped out.
As expected, when he arrived, he found Tracy directing her anger and criticism at Annie. As for Annie, she gently stood still and listened to the scolding, not daring to argue back.
Chapter 16
Annie saw Finn approaching, her lips tightly pursed with a hint of frustration and whispered into his ear.
"Finn, this is Tracy's plot to harm me."
Finn nodded, gently gripping Annie's slender, delicate fingers that trembled slightly. He then raised his head, looking calmly in Tracy's direction.
"How much is that vase?"
Tracy's angry demeanor had already diminished halfway, and Finn's mixture of icy composure and arrogance made others hesitate. She clenched her hand to maintain her confidence, chin raised as she shouted loudly.
"It's worth ten thousand dollars, and I had to order it from overseas. Also, it took a month to arrive."
"Sofia broke it because she hates me, and she smashed them directly. But she puts on an innocent, blameless face when she looks at me. I don't understand."
"Doing wrong and not even apologizing. It's really..."
Finn, running out of patience, furrowed his eyebrows, and his lips curved ever so slightly. His voice was cold as if emanating from an icy cavern.
"Shut up! You have no right to criticize her."
"You know what you did, and we can guess too. You're not fooling anyone by being here and using this as an excuse to tarnish Sofia."
Finn let out a dismissive snort, speaking for the third time to someone since returning home.
"Is that vase worth ten thousand dollars? I'll have my secretary transfer you twenty thousand dollars. Don't bring up this matter again."
Tracy had no clue that Finn would come to Annie's defense to this extent. Regardless, she intended to use this as an opportunity to kick Annie out or at the very least, hurl a few more insults as revenge for the humiliation yesterday.
At this point, both Ryan and Hubert had long come out and witnessed the situation. Tracy also didn't want to continue bullying Annie further. She glared at Annie, her hand involuntarily clenched, revealing her discontent.
"Fine, let's end this then and have breakfast."
In the end, it was Ryan who spoke to conclude this less-than-pleasant atmosphere, turning to enter the house. However, Finn felt that there was no need to stay in this house any longer.
"No need to eat together. I'll take Sofia with me now, and you don't need to call me back every month. We don't want to return to such a cold home anymore. Our family relationship has gone sour. No need to pretend to be close anymore."
"Anyway, you've never considered me your child, have you?"
Finn's blunt words successfully drained the color from Ryan's face. He hesitated, and his aging face betrayed his inner turmoil. Finn paid no attention to these expressions, nor did he care about how Ryan felt, simply leading Annie away.
Tracy, in her fury, stamped her foot, watching the two of them leave comfortably, her eyes filled with malice. At this moment, Ryan, exasperated, entered the house, and Hubert approached Tracy, whispering loud enough for both to hear.
"Mom, don't pull the same stunt next time, and there's no need to find ways to harm Sofia. Anyone can guess that it's you."
Tracy couldn't believe her eyes as she looked at Hubert. Finn's trust in Annie and his anger towards her was understandable, but Hubert also siding with Annie was something she had never anticipated.
"Are you siding with her too? Do you even consider me your mom?"
Hubert sighed and rubbed his forehead.
"Of course I do, but I don't want my mom to turn into a woman who only calculates and plays tricks to hurt others."
Having said this, Hubert also left, leaving Tracy standing there, both helpless and resentful.
...
After getting back into the car, Finn seemed rather disapproving of Annie, continuously sitting beside her and offering advice.
"Sofia, if there's ever a next time when Tracy or anyone else tries to bully you, don't stay silent and be accommodating like that. You should learn to stand up for yourself."
"Wasn't it the case that you were always a proud and assertive girl before? You don't need to pretend to be gentle when you're with me."
Finn offered sincere advice, but each word left Annie feeling awkward. The naturally assertive one was Sofia, not her. She had always been kind-hearted and prone to bullying, and it was only recently that she had learned to stand up for herself by pretending to be Sofia.
Yesterday's argument with Hubert and Tracy had been her limit. But Annie could only sit quietly, nodding, and then suddenly remembered that Finn couldn't see her nod, so she verbally replied, "Yes," before both of them returned to their usual silence.
In the afternoon, Annie left the house as scheduled to go to the restaurant to work, and shortly, Finn also left, taken by his private driver to the hospital for a routine eye examination.
Lately, thanks to good treatment, Finn's eye condition has improved significantly, and he no longer faces as many difficulties with his vision as before. After examining Finn's eyes once again, Mike, Finn's personal physician and close friend, cheerfully addressed him.
"The recovery is going better than expected. If I'm not mistaken, you've been able to see normally since last night? Still, you intend to pretend to be blind for a while longer, huh?"
In response to Mike's teasing, Finn didn't react, calmly turning a small bottle of eye drops in his hand and replying slowly.
"Yeah, for now, I want to pretend to be blind for a while longer. I want to see what my good little brother, Hubert, can achieve."
Mike not only served as Finn's personal physician but was also a close friend, so he knew very well how Finn had become blind. Outsiders were unaware, and Finn hadn't disclosed the truth to anyone, but his blindness was related to Hubert and Tracy.
They had arranged a sudden traffic accident that temporarily robbed Finn of his eyesight and seized the opportunity to prevent Finn from continuing to handle company matters. Instead, Hubert took over and gradually rose to the prestigious position of CEO.
Ryan was already of age and wanted to enjoy his retirement, so he allowed Hubert and Finn to handle company matters. Now, with Finn blinded, uncertain whether he would regain his sight, the shareholders in the company who had always supported Finn were starting to waver. Naturally, there would be less opposition if Hubert were to manage the company in the future.
It was an ingenious plan, but unfortunately, Finn seemed to be recovering his sight too quickly, Mike thought to himself.
"By the way, I heard that Sofia has moved into your house recently. So, how close have your feelings become? Hugging, kissing, or sharing a bed already?"
Chapter 17
Mike gently nudged Finn, lowering his voice deliberately to add a hint of mystery. Finn remained impassive, leaning back before responding.
"Don't beat around the bush, Mike. But I've noticed that Sofia's personality has changed drastically recently as if she's become a completely different person."
"We should investigate this later," Mike's eyes lit up as if he had just stumbled upon some intriguing information. He smirked while organizing the pill bottles on the table.
"Oh, is your interest piqued because of her? Has Sofia's recent demeanor made you like her more?"
"I'd advise you that if you like her, don't act distant; show more interest in her. Otherwise, if she falls for someone else in the future, you'll regret it, haha."
Mike was a skilled doctor, and there was nothing to criticize about his professionalism, but he tended to talk a lot. Being someone who disliked noise, Finn quickly stood up before the conversation veered off track.
"Alright, I'm heading out."
Mike shrugged innocently and watched him go, quietly muttering under his breath. Finn's cold and unapproachable demeanor often led to conversations ending abruptly, without any lightheartedness.
After leaving the hospital, Finn, as usual, had the driver assist him into the car. He pondered Mike's words from earlier and then spoke to the driver about wanting to pick up Annie.
Annie, evidently, still worked at that famous restaurant because the pay was good, and she had friendly colleagues. She didn't want to miss out on this job. However, given her current status as a rich girl in a wealthy family, working as a server at a restaurant wasn't very suitable.
She explained to Finn that this restaurant was owned by her father's friend. She had been working there as a staff member for a few months to gain some experience during her free time. The pay was high, and she genuinely enjoyed the work. Luckily, Finn didn't have any suspicions.
When the car stopped outside the restaurant, it was almost time for Annie to finish her shift. Finn helped her out of the car and stood by a nearby corner, not far from the restaurant's entrance, waiting for her.
After about five minutes, he spotted the familiar figure of Annie coming into view. At that moment, Annie was still engaged in conversation with someone, and since he was standing in a concealed spot, she didn't notice him.
Finn was about to call out to her when he suddenly saw the person she was talking to. It was a young man with lustrous blond hair, tall and with a very pleasing appearance. He wore a button-up shirt and dress pants, not particularly expensive but neat and classy.
Annie and the man were walking towards the exit, and Finn swiftly stepped forward, standing in front of Annie.
"Wait a moment, I have something to say to you."
Because the current distance was relatively close, Finn could overhear their conversation. He could detect the blend of gentleness and tension in the man's voice.
Finn also noticed Annie's expression, a mixture of astonishment and surprise, and her soft, unchanged voice.
"What's going on, Denis? Is there something important?"
So Finn knew that his name was Denis. Finn registered the name in his mind, his grip unconsciously tightening.
"I... I know this might seem sudden, but we've known each other for quite a while now, and I've carried these feelings in my heart for a long time. I'm afraid if I don't speak up now, I might lose you. So I don't want to remain silent any longer."
"You are a very good girl, gentle, caring, and attractive. Since we first met, I've slowly started noticing you, and I've been attracted to you for I don't know how long. Right now, I know you don't have a boyfriend, and you've been single all this time, so can you give me a chance to be by your side and look after you?"
"You don't have to answer right away. I can't wait for you to think it over. I just wanted to express my feelings and love for you."
Not only was Annie left stunned and unable to react for a while after hearing this, but Finn was equally surprised. Little did he expect that on his first visit to pick up Annie after work, he would overhear someone else confessing their feelings to her.
Finn tilted his head to look at Denis again, a warm-hearted man with a gentle demeanor, and his feelings for Annie shone brightly in his eyes. When they were together, Denis would treat Annie very well. Furthermore, judging from Denis's attire, it was apparent that he came from a simple family, which would mean a much simpler life compared to Finn's family, without the family feuds or schemes to harm each other. Not to mention, the family atmosphere was both warm and friendly, making Annie feel more comfortable when visiting his home.
Most importantly, at present, Denis was just a normal, decent man, while Finn was blind. After careful consideration, Finn concluded that Annie would be better to be with Denis than with him. While he had no intention of engaging in property disputes with Hubert, Hubert, and Tracy would undoubtedly not let him off lightly. Previously, they had gone so far as to harm him to the point of blindness, and he couldn't guarantee Annie's safety in the future.
With these thoughts in mind, Finn turned and walked away. He didn't dare to hear Annie's response; he feared he might hear her agreement, which would only cause him more pain. Being with a blind person who was often cold and unable to be as gentle as he used to be was a disadvantage for Annie. Perhaps Annie already had feelings for Denis but hesitated due to his presence.
Or maybe Annie might agree to Denis's confession, but she would want him to wait while she continued to fulfill her responsibilities as Finn's fiancée. Only when Finn's eyes could see would she fully embrace a happy life with Denis.
However, regardless of Annie's response, Finn felt that he wasn't worthy of standing in the way of her happiness. He wanted Annie to be with Denis as soon as possible, to enjoy a carefree and unburdened life, free from the tensions and conflicts of noble families.
Finn appeared comfortable as he departed with the driver, not uttering a word throughout the journey. He gazed out the window with an indefinite expression. Sensing Finn's sour mood, the driver refrained from saying much, not wanting to make him uncomfortable. So, the atmosphere could described by the word "stifling".
Chapter 18
Since returning home, Finn couldn't shake the need to pretend to be blind. He relied on Keelin to guide him back to his room, where he remained secluded. After Annie had turned down Denis's advances and also returned home, she noticed that Finn's room remained tightly shut, so she refrained from disturbing him.
Annie took a shower, changed into her usual attire, and went downstairs to prepare dinner with Keelin. She then brought a portion up to Finn's room. She gently knocked on the door after some time, but Finn seemed to be in a foul mood, as he took a while to respond, offering only a cold reply for Annie to leave the food outside.
"What's wrong, Finn? Are you feeling unwell? Do you need to go to the hospital?" Annie's voice was tinged with concern as Finn's distant demeanor worried her. She probed with a sense of urgency. However, Finn didn't want to explain much and only said he was fine, urging Annie to leave early.
"In that case, if you need anything, remember to call me," Annie insisted.
Finn didn't respond, and Annie reluctantly placed the food tray outside his door, let out a sigh, and turned to leave. After a while, Finn slowly emerged to retrieve the food. The dishes were prepared meticulously, but he couldn't taste any flavors. Everything felt bland. He ate halfheartedly and then set the plate down before grabbing a small tray to take outside.
For the next few days, Finn maintained his distant attitude towards Annie. She brought him meals, and he said from inside his room that it wasn't necessary; it was Keelin's job, and Annie needn't concern herself. Annie even baked some sweets for Finn, but he only managed a brief "thank you" before leaving the treats untouched on the table. When Keelin eventually cleared the dessert plates away, they remained the same.
Annie tried to initiate more conversations with Finn, but he rarely left his room throughout the day, and he didn't even occasionally sit in the living room. While Finn maintained a certain distance and a composed demeanor towards Annie from start to finish, she sensed that something was changing. It was as though there was now an emotional barrier between them, preventing her from fully entering his world.
At one point, there was a moment when Finn ventured into the garden to get some fresh air. Annie followed and sat beside him on a small bench in the garden's corner. For several hours, neither of them exchanged a word. Then suddenly, Annie heard Finn's gentle voice, tinged with weariness.
"Sofia, does the current life ever feel dull to you? Living in the same roof with a blind person, a life shrouded in darkness without a glimpse of light?"
Finn's cryptic words took Annie by surprise, and she turned to look at him, noticing a subtle quirk on his lips and a corner of his mouth curled up. She didn't quite understand Finn's intent but responded carefully.
"No, it's not dull. I feel quite content with the way things are now. It's quite carefree, and I can do as I please. I don't feel sad or burdened by being with you; I really enjoy being by your side."
Annie's response was straightforward, but Finn believed she was using sweet words and reassurance to boost his confidence. After all, he understood Annie's kind and caring nature, and she wouldn't express her true thoughts for fear of hurting him.
"But I find this life frustrating," Finn continued.
He looked down slightly, his jawline clenched, and his teeth grazing together before he resumed speaking.
"I find our life now both meaningless and dull, and I don't want to continue anymore. You can easily leave my home and start a new life with someone more suitable than me."
As he uttered the second part of his words, Finn's voice quivered ever so softly, as if he was on the verge of tears, but Annie, still taken aback by the content of his words, didn't notice. She stared at Finn intently for a while, trying to decipher another meaning behind his words, but to no avail.
Finn was pushing her away, making it clear that he didn't want her to stay.
"Why?" Annie asked in a hushed tone, her gaze still fixed on Finn, her voice containing a trace of hope that he might change his mind. But he only coldly averted his head, tapping gently on the chair's armrest, his lips curved in response.
"I've already told you, I don't want to live like this anymore. I dislike having someone else living with me; I've grown accustomed to solitude, and I feel uncomfortable when you are here."
"Furthermore, I don't need anyone to take care of me. You see, Keelin manages the household, so you don't have to come here and endure this for my sake. I'm not used to having a fiancée fussing over me."
"Besides, we don't have any romantic feelings for each other. I will announce to the world that I'm calling off the engagement, and it won't tarnish your reputation. You don't need to worry."
Finn spoke coldly and decisively, but deep down, he couldn't shake the memory of that fateful day. Annie, standing next to Denis in the soft evening light, looks stunningly matched. Denis's gaze had been unwaveringly fixed on Annie, filled with profound affection, and Annie had met his gaze with a surprising directness. At that moment, they only had eyes for each other.
Finn's chest ached, and he became even more determined to drive Annie away from this house.
"Finn, I've told you several times before. I genuinely want to be with you right now. That's why I came here. There's no pressure whatsoever."
"If you're bored, wait until you regain sight, and I'll leave immediately. I won't cause any more disruptions in your life."
Annie spoke with unwavering determination and quickly left, fearing Finn might continue to push back. Finn remained seated, his gaze distant, and a faint hint of the lingering citrus scent that Annie wore wafted through the air as her graceful figure passed by.
"Sofia, you don't need to miss out on a more deserving opportunity because of a blind man like me," Finn sighed, his voice carried away by the cool evening breeze, exuding a mixture of tenderness and helplessness.
Following their conversation that day, Finn distanced himself from Annie even more, spending an increasing amount of time in his room. Apart from occasional visits by his assistant to discuss company matters, the door to his room remained closed.
Annie grew increasingly anxious, unable to find a way to engage with him. She sometimes found herself distracted even when at work.
"What's the matter, Annie? Are you feeling unwell? Do you need to go home early to rest?"
Denis stood beside her, looking concerned and wanting to touch her forehead. Annie startled and took a step back, quickly assuring him she was fine. She could sense a hint of helplessness in Denis's voice.
"Can't I care about you as a friend now, Annie? After all, you did agree to continue as colleagues after rejecting my confession. Were you planning to swallow your words?" Denis's tone softened, and he tried to console her as he gently stroked her head.
Annie felt embarrassed and bit her lip, bowing her head and apologizing for her overreaction. Denis reassured her, "It's alright. I was just concerned about your health, so I acted abruptly. I'll be more careful next time. You can get back to work."
After Denis left, Annie finally managed to relax a little. These days, she found herself thinking more and more about Finn, and she let out a deep sigh.
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Table of Contents
×1
Chapter 1
2_3
Chapter 2–3
4_8
Chapter 4_8
9_13
Chapter 9_13
14_18
Chapter 14_18
19_23
Chapter 19_23
24_28
Chapter 24_28
29_33
Chapter 29_33
34_38
Chapter 34_38
39_43
Chapter 39_43
44_48
Chapter 44_48
49_53
Chapter 49_53
54_58
Chapter 54_58
59_63
Chapter 59_63
64_68
Chapter 64_68
69_73
Chapter 69_73
74_78
Chapter 74_78
79_83
Chapter 79_83
84_88
Chapter 84_88
89_93
Chapter 89_93
94_98
Chapter 94_98
99_103
Chapter 99_103
104_108
Chapter 104_108
109_113
Chapter 109_113
114_118
Chapter 114_118
119_123
Chapter 119_123
124_128
Chapter 124_128
129_133
Chapter 129_133
134_138
Chapter 134_138
139_143
Chapter 139_143
144_146
Chapter 144_146