"Mom,have you heard Annie mention someone recently?"

Annie and Isolde exchanged dreamy and unclear glances,and Denis hesitated while trying to explain.Lately,whenever he visited his mother and took walks with Annie,she frequently mentioned the patient's son,who shared the room with her mother.

Joyce seemed so pleased and fond of this girl,constantly praising her for being obedient,adorable,and well-behaved.Denis had heard so much about her that he became curious about this girl,not knowing that it was Annie all along.

Joyce nodded happily,openly admitting to it.She smiled at Annie,sitting beside her,her eyes filled with affection.

"Annie,do you have a boyfriend?Denis is single,and if you're available,you should consider him."

Joyce's overly explicit words left Annie blushing,and she was about to open her mouth to explain,thinking of the deal she had with Sofia earlier.However,before Annie could say anything further,Isolde quickly responded.

"Not yet.Annie is a hardworking and compassionate young girl.She has to work tirelessly to earn a living because of my illness.Until now,she hasn't had a boyfriend."

Annie looked at her mother with a sense of despair,silently imploring her to stop,but the story continued to unfold,slipping out of her control.Joyce and Isolde continued to chat enthusiastically,introducing their children as if Annie and Denis were genuinely about to fall in love.

Denis,equally stunned as Annie,glanced at her with a mix of helplessness and confusion.Annie forced a faint smile and obediently ate her meal,pretending to be oblivious.

Joyce and Isolde talked fervently,and in no time,they discussed the possibility of Annie and Denis dating,expressing their wholehearted support and delight.In the end,Annie and Denis had to make excuses to leave the conversation,which had taken an odd turn.Both walked away with forced smiles and awkwardness.

"Please don't take what my mom said too seriously;she was just teasing,"Annie assured Denis,avoiding eye contact.

Noticing Annie's discomfort,Denis refrained from pressing further and remained silent as he dropped her off at home.

As they bid each other farewell,they could see the awkwardness in each other's eyes,which was far from the comfort they had initially shared.Annie gave Denis an awkward farewell and hurried inside her home.She believed that the fewer people who knew about her deal with Sofia,the better.Therefore,she dared not get too close or distant from Denis to avoid hurting and disappointing him afterward.

With these thoughts in mind,Annie lightly patted her cheek to quickly forget the recent incident,refocusing her mind to prepare for what lay ahead.

…

The following morning,as per the agreement with Sofia,Annie was to move her belongings to Finn's house to make it more convenient to care for him at all times.Sofia drove to pick up Annie,providing continuous instructions during the ride.

"While Finn is blind,there are many people to help him at his home,so don't reveal any weaknesses that might affect my image."

"Also,you should reduce your part-time jobs and focus on looking after Finn to make people praise me for being responsible and kind.I will pay you extra money so you won't lose out."

"Later,I'll also buy you some expensive clothes and jewelry to wear when guests visit Finn or when you go out with him.Remember,when you are at home,you can wear your shabby clothes,but when you meet anyone other than Finn,you must dress elegantly like a noble lady to match me."

Annie silently noted all of Sofia's instructions without any complaints.After all,the amount of money Sofia had provided was substantial,so all her demands seemed reasonable.

When Annie arrived at Finn's doorstep,Sofia handed her a new phone and helped her call the maid to come and assist.Sofia then arrogantly drove away.Fortunately,the maid,Keelin,was a gentle and helpful woman.She enthusiastically helped Annie move her belongings inside.

As Annie stepped into the clean house wearing her fluffy slippers,she heard a deep male voice.

"You must be Sofia,right?Go back;I don't need your pity."

"You've also noticed that I'm just a blind man.I'm no longer the heir to power,so you can seduce Hubert instead of trying to win me over."

"I'm more than willing to help you announce the damn cancellation of this wretched engagement."

Listening to the cold and disdainful tone,Annie tilted her head to look at the man leaning against the sofa.He wore a simple hoodie and long pants.His face was handsome as sculpted with striking features:a high,straight nose,thin lips,and fair,captivating skin.However,his deep,unseeing eyes were intense.Based on Annie's deduction,this man was Finn,her younger sister's fiancé.

At this moment,seeing that Annie hadn't responded,Finn furrowed his brow,his hand on the sofa tightening as he spoke again.

"Don't you understand?I said,Go away;I don't need care,and I despise you."

Finn had met Sofia a few times in real life and had a sense of her personality:arrogant,money-hungry,and craving attention.She was definitely not the kind of person who would willingly help when he was blind.

The reason for her appearance was that if she abandoned him now,it would be bad for her reputation.Finn didn't need this pretense.Besides,he didn't like having strangers in his house.

"I won't go anywhere.I am your fiancée,so I should stay with you during this hard time.If you don't want to be bothered,I will always keep quiet and won't approach you."

Annie replied gently,trying to soothe Finn's irritability.In that situation,Finn could become sensitive and irritable,and Annie didn't want to provoke him into an argument.So she softly asked Keelin to help her carry her suitcase to the room opposite Finn's.

"Huh,pretending,huh?If you want to stay,stay.And if you can't,then leave.I won't hold you back."

Finn didn't bother saying more;he got up from the sofa and slowly went upstairs.Seeing Finn's slow and difficult steps,Annie gently sighed.It seemed that her life from now on wouldn't be easy.Finn's clear thoughts about disdain and resentment toward Sofia were evident,and Annie couldn't ignore them.

After Finn had gone upstairs in a cold manner,Annie had no choice but to follow him,keeping a safe distance to avoid making him feel uncomfortable.Back in her room,Annie slowly began to tidy up her belongings,neatly stowing them away in the drawers.Since she had brought very few possessions,Annie quickly completed the task.

Annie wasn't accustomed to idleness,so after sitting around for a while,she decided to go downstairs to find Keelin,who was busy in the kitchen.

"Hi,can I help you with anything?"

Annie asked with a hint of boredom in her voice.Keelin had heard of Sofia's reputation as a haughty and disdainful fiancée,even going so far as to pour wine over the head of the maid in her home just because the food wasn't to her liking.Therefore,Keelin was initially wary when Annie approached.However,Annie's demeanor and warm smile quickly dispelled any reservations.

"Don't worry;I just want to help you prepare dinner.May I join in?"Annie spoke sincerely,her face radiating purity and sincerity.Keelin,impressed by Annie's willingness,nodded in agreement.She gently asked Annie to prepare a truffle mushroom dish for dinner,and Annie eagerly got to work,surprising Keelin with her efficiency.

The initial impression of a snobbish heiress quickly dissolved,and in no time,Keelin found the rumors about Sofia were unwarranted.The atmosphere soon became harmonious,as Annie's previous experience working as a sous chef at a Michelin-starred restaurant allowed her to prepare even the most luxurious dishes in an easy way.Keelin couldn't help but praise the exquisite meals Annie was preparing.

"Is this dinner for Finn?Let me take it upstairs for you."

Understanding Keelin's intent,Annie took the initiative to bring the meal to Finn.She believed that approaching Finn slowly and cautiously could reduce his aversion to her,so she eagerly seized every opportunity to get closer to him.

"Sure,thank you,"Keelin replied.

Annie carefully carried the tray of exquisite dishes upstairs and politely knocked on Finn's door.

"Finn,may I come in?I've brought dinner for you."

Finn,who had been sitting by the window,lost in thought,heard Annie's voice.His expression revealed his impatience,but he responded with a chilly"If you have no objections,then come in."

Annie gently pushed the door open and entered.Finn's room was minimalist,predominantly black and white,with everything neatly organized.Finn was sitting at a small table near the window,his face slightly downturned,making it hard for Annie to read his emotions.

She placed the tray on the small table,her voice soft as she explained.

"I've placed the food in front of you,and you can reach out to get it.If you don't mind,I can even lend you a hand to locate the position of the food,"Annie said.

The more Finn listened,the more he felt that Annie was hypocritical,harboring a deep disdain for a blind person like him.But he had to maintain an appearance of gentleness.In just a few encounters,Finn realizes that his fiancée wasn't the type of person Annie pretended to be,and what he despises the most is the deception.

"Step aside.From now on,you won't have to bring food here;Keelin will handle that."

Since unintentionally losing his sight,Finn has become incredibly sensitive to how people treat him.Previously,there were many maids and even a personal butler in his apartment,but he had let them all go and retained Keelin,who had been helping with household chores and cooking for Finn since his birth.

Finn didn't want anyone else coming to live here,disrupting his life,or witnessing his struggles,leading to feelings of pity or disgust.So,Annie's presence in the house left him really dissatisfied.

Furthermore,what Annie is doing seems like she is pitying Finn's situation,and he detests people who pitied him at this point in his life.

Not discouraged by the rejection,Annie spoke softly,"It's okay.I have some free time,so I'm helping Keelin a bit.Why don't you try the food to see if it suits your taste?Today,I've prepared some nutritious dishes for your health."

Annie's gentle and unaffected manner was unfazed by Finn's coldness,which made him feel like he was punching a cushion.He gritted his teeth and continued speaking.

"I've already said it;there's no need to pity me.Don't pretend to be kind in front of me;this makes me nauseating."

Annie acted as if she hadn't heard,continuing to advise.

"Alright,go ahead and eat to keep it warm.In a little while,the food will no longer be as delicious when it's cold."

Annie's stubbornness succeeded in infuriating Finn.He furrowed his brow and angrily knocked the food off the table,creating a jarring and headache-inducing sound.

"Are you deaf,or do you not understand human language?I already said,Stay away from me.I don't need your care or cooking;it's unnecessary."

Finn's actions also frightened Annie,and her gaze became concerned.Annie tried to remain calm,silently cleaning up the mess on the floor,not saying anything further.

Though Finn couldn't see,he heard the sound of porcelain clinking as Annie bent down to clean up,and he coldly added,"You don't need to pretend to be diligent here;just let Keelin handle everything.You can leave now."

Annie bit her lip,quickly cleared away the broken pieces into a tray,and then left Finn's room.In front of Keelin,who was waiting outside with a surprised expression,she shook her head slightly to signal that everything was fine and asked Keelin to prepare a fresh meal for Finn and bring it in.

"Also,bring in a tube of burn cream.When I knocked over the soup bowl,Finn got a slight burn on his hand."

Annie's voice remained soothing and pleasant,as she had long grown accustomed to incidents like this.When working as a restaurant server,she had been splashed with hot liquid and even slapped in the face by customers when they were dissatisfied with her attitude.

Keelin sighed,patted Annie's shoulder in consolation,and then carried another lunch tray upstairs.When Keelin knocked on Finn's door and was allowed to enter,she heard Finn's low,impatient voice.

"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.