Chapter 6: Your hand got burned

"In the future, don't let Annie into my room. I don't like it."

Keelin acknowledged it quietly and placed the meal in front of Finn, guiding him to the location of the food. Afterward, she didn't rush to leave but handed Finn a small tube of burn cream, her elderly voice gently rising.

"This is the burn cream Sofia asked me to bring for you. She said, Your hand got burned."

With that, Keelin left the room, leaving Finn sitting in silence. He held the tube of cream in his hand, and his brow furrowed in deep contemplation, his thoughts a mystery.

Finn had been furious in the evening, so naturally, Annie didn't dare to approach him anymore. Annie lived as if she were invisible, having dinner with Keelin and then returning to her room. She didn't even dare to look straight ahead when passing by Finn's room.

Annie woke up early the next day, perhaps due to her habit of being busy in the past, so she wasn't used to idleness. Excessive free time made her feel somewhat out of place, so she stood up and went downstairs.

"Keelin, good morning."

Annie yawned as she greeted Keelin, who was busy making sandwiches, filling the air with a delightful aroma. Keelin noticed Annie coming downstairs, raised her head, and smiled, her gaze softening.

"Good morning, Sofia. Did you sleep well last night?"

Annie had already grown accustomed to being called Sofia, so she didn't react anymore. Annie casually stretched and sat down at the small table by the kitchen.

"I slept very well. The room had scented candles, so it smelled wonderful."

Keelin had been considerate, fearing that Annie might have trouble sleeping in an unfamiliar place. She had placed a jar of gently scented lavender candles in Annie's room, making it easier for her to fall asleep.

"That's good to hear. Here is your breakfast. Right now, I need to buy some ingredients for lunch. If Finn wakes up, could you please help me serve breakfast to him?"

Keelin pointed out the location of the chicken soup and the delicious-looking sandwiches in the oven. Annie nodded in agreement. After Keelin left, she happily dug into her breakfast.

Suddenly, Annie deeply understood Sofia's feelings in the past when she left with her father for her wealthy stepmother's home. Life with her mother had been difficult and impoverished, and her parents had agreed to take one child each after their divorce.

Sofia had always been pampered by Annie and her mother since childhood, so her decision to go with her father had been quite normal. Besides, the leisurely and comfortable life of an heiress, where she didn't have to worry about money, was a dream come true.

While Annie was lost in thought, Finn had also woken up and leaned against the staircase to descend. He slowly entered the kitchen, his voice slightly hoarse.

"Keelin, what do we have for breakfast this morning?"

Keelin had been a long-time maid in the household, and her exemplary behavior had earned her Finn's gracious demeanor. Annie, hearing Finn's voice, immediately rose to fetch him a portion of breakfast set on the table, then softly responded,

"This morning, we have sandwiches and chicken soup. Keelin went grocery shopping, so I've taken the liberty of fetching them for you. They're on the table, and if you don't mind, I can assist you in sitting down." Annie added the last part cautiously and quietly, observing Finn's expression closely, fearing he might erupt in anger. However, to her surprise, Finn displayed no such attitude. He responded with a gentle tone, asking Annie to guide him to a chair.

"The soup is still quite hot, so take it slow. Perhaps you should start with the sandwich."

Annie handed the sandwich to Finn and spoke in a soothing tone, as gentle as a soft breeze, pleasantly surprising Finn. He graciously thanked her and sat down to have breakfast, every movement deliberate and refined.

Annie watched Finn eat, her voice tinged with a hint of wanting to engage in conversation.

"In reality, I came here not to ridicule or pity your circumstances. I just believe that, in name, I am your fiancée, and thus, I should be here for you in times like these. I believe you need someone by your side, a companion."

"I moved into your house because I felt responsible to stay with you and look after you during this time."

"If you feel bothered, I apologize. But you don't need to worry; once your eyes can see as before, I will leave and won't make you uncomfortable anymore."

Finn's motion of drinking water slightly paused, and his face showed unusual emotions. However, before Annie could fully grasp the peculiarity in Finn's attitude, he responded with a simple, "Oh."

It seemed like a compromise, and it made Annie breathe a sigh of relief involuntarily. At least the days ahead would be easier, without the fear of Finn losing his temper and kicking her out.

After finishing his meal, Finn clumsily reached for the table and stood up, turning to leave. Annie hurriedly stood up as well, helping him clear the breakfast dishes.

"Thank you."

Annie wasn't sure if Finn was thanking her for helping him with breakfast and clearing the dishes or for being there with him now, but she was pleased either way. Initially, she thought everything might be difficult, but maybe things were gradually becoming more favorable.

A while later, Keelin returned, and the two prepared lunch together and had their meal. Annie still felt hesitant due to Finn's anger from the previous day, so she let Keelin bring the food to him as usual while she obediently sat and ate in the kitchen.

After finishing the meal, Annie cleared the table and had to go upstairs to change clothes to prepare for her afternoon shift at the restaurant. Even though Sofia had given her quite a bit of money to take a break from all the extra jobs, Annie regretted missing out on the quarterly and year-end bonuses, so she continued working and couldn't bring herself to quit.