Hubert's words caught in his throat.He had never expected Finn to act this way."Finn, don't go too far."Finn let out a bitter laugh."What does 'too far' even mean? When your mother bullied my fiancée, did any of you think that was too far?"With that, Finn fell silent. Hubert, too, said nothing, seemingly locked in an internal struggle, weighing the pros and cons. After a long pause, he finally let out a sigh."Fine. This weekend, take Sofia home with you. As for the family matters, leave them to me."Once Hubert had left, Finn turned to Annie and asked in a quiet voice,"Where were you just now? Were you meeting that friend who recently returned?"To keep Finn from growing suspicious, Annie had told him that a close friend had just come back to the country, so she had been meeting up frequently to reminisce about old times and show her around the city. Thankfully, Finn didn't seem to question it.He merely nodded in acknowledgment and said nothing more....Friday.It was a rare
"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 wa
"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 sho
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 vagu
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 attentiv
"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 An
That night, Annie could hardly sleep.She wasn't used to sharing a bed with another man, so with Finn lying beside her, her heart pounded uncontrollably, as if it had a will of its own. She tried to breathe as lightly as possible, afraid that the rapid rhythm of her heart would somehow disturb Finn, who was sound asleep next to her.Fear kept her frozen; she didn't dare shift even slightly, only lying stiffly on her back, listening to the steady rise and fall of Finn's breaths. Unlike Annie, he seemed to be resting peacefully-his breathing even, his face relaxed, utterly at ease. In the darkness, she watched him, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts, unsure how she could lull herself to sleep.Suddenly, Finn shifted.Annie tensed, holding her breath, remaining utterly still.She hadn't expected him to do more than turn over, but to her shock, he instinctively pulled her into his arms, his hand resting naturally against her back in a gesture far too intimate. Annie's mind went utterly blan
At Hubert's house,Annie followed closely behind him, her face filled with wariness."Where is this place? Why did you bring me here?"She kept a cautious distance from Hubert, her eyes brimming with suspicion. Stopping in her tracks, she waited for his response.When Hubert turned around, there was nothing but a harmless smile on his face."What do you mean? I brought you here to see the renowned eye specialist I mentioned."He sighed, looking utterly innocent as he gestured toward the upper floor."He's waiting for you in my study. Do you need me to take you up there, or would you rather leave right now?"His nonchalant attitude, as if Annie’s excessive wariness was completely unwarranted, made her feel a little guilty. She rubbed her nose sheepishly."Sorry, I misunderstood. I thought you were using this as an excuse to trick me into coming here."Hubert merely shrugged, maintaining an air of righteous indifference, while Annie pursed her lips. For a moment, she genuinely believed
The next morning, Annie originally planned to make a cake for Finn as an excuse to approach him and apologize. However, to her surprise, Finn had already left early.Hearing this from Keelin, she was momentarily stunned."Why would he go to the company? Finn never goes to the company, does he?"Ever since Annie had known Finn, she had never once heard of him setting foot in the company. If there was business to discuss, his assistant would usually come to his house, or they would handle everything over the phone.There had never been an exception.That was why the news of Finn going to the company left her somewhat shocked."That's right. He even said he'd be there all day and have dinner with his assistant in the evening. He won't be coming back."Keelin finished speaking and, noticing Annie still lost in thought, asked with concern, "Is something wrong, Sofia? Do you want me to pass a message to Finn?"Annie snapped out of her daze, shaking off the lingering thoughts clouding her mi
Annie listened in silence, her breath hitching as hot tears streamed down her cheeks. Regret weighed heavy in her chest. She hadn't known. She hadn't understood Finn's fears at all.She had always claimed she wanted the best for him, that everything she did was for his sake.But in the end, she had been nothing more than a fool-one who only made things worse.And Finn... Finn was the one left to pick up the shattered pieces of her mistakes.What she thought was helping had only made things worse.Her voice trembled as she gazed at him, eyes brimming with sorrow."I'm sorry, Finn... I was reckless. I didn't think things through.""I was ignorant-I am ignorant. This is all my fault."She could barely choke out the words. If today hadn't happened, maybe Finn wouldn't have been forced to relive his pain. Maybe the wounds he had worked so hard to heal wouldn't have been torn open again because of her."I'm sorry. Truly... I'm so sorry."Because what else was there to say?Finn let out a sl
"Finn, wait for me. You’re walking too fast, I can’t keep up," Annie weakly called out, struggling to chase after him. Yet, Finn pressed forward without hesitation, his pace so swift that Annie could barely keep up. For a fleeting moment, she even wondered if he was truly blind.He moved like the wind, effortlessly dodging every obstacle in his path, his reflexes sharper than even those with perfect vision—sharper than hers.But Finn showed no sign of hearing her. He continued straight ahead. The only indication that he acknowledged her presence was the slight loosening of his grip on her hand, just enough to ease the discomfort she had felt moments before.Once inside the car, Finn sat beside her in the passenger seat, crossing his arms in silence. Annie, of course, knew he was upset—so upset that he didn’t want to speak to her. She barely dared to breathe, shrinking back into her seat, trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible, not wanting to irritate him any further.Ste
At Hubert's house,Annie followed closely behind him, her face filled with wariness."Where is this place? Why did you bring me here?"She kept a cautious distance from Hubert, her eyes brimming with suspicion. Stopping in her tracks, she waited for his response.When Hubert turned around, there was nothing but a harmless smile on his face."What do you mean? I brought you here to see the renowned eye specialist I mentioned."He sighed, looking utterly innocent as he gestured toward the upper floor."He's waiting for you in my study. Do you need me to take you up there, or would you rather leave right now?"His nonchalant attitude, as if Annie’s excessive wariness was completely unwarranted, made her feel a little guilty. She rubbed her nose sheepishly."Sorry, I misunderstood. I thought you were using this as an excuse to trick me into coming here."Hubert merely shrugged, maintaining an air of righteous indifference, while Annie pursed her lips. For a moment, she genuinely believed
That night, Annie could hardly sleep.She wasn't used to sharing a bed with another man, so with Finn lying beside her, her heart pounded uncontrollably, as if it had a will of its own. She tried to breathe as lightly as possible, afraid that the rapid rhythm of her heart would somehow disturb Finn, who was sound asleep next to her.Fear kept her frozen; she didn't dare shift even slightly, only lying stiffly on her back, listening to the steady rise and fall of Finn's breaths. Unlike Annie, he seemed to be resting peacefully-his breathing even, his face relaxed, utterly at ease. In the darkness, she watched him, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts, unsure how she could lull herself to sleep.Suddenly, Finn shifted.Annie tensed, holding her breath, remaining utterly still.She hadn't expected him to do more than turn over, but to her shock, he instinctively pulled her into his arms, his hand resting naturally against her back in a gesture far too intimate. Annie's mind went utterly blan
"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 An
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 attentiv
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 vagu
"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 sho