Chapter 8: Hubert

"I'm sorry, I rushed to help you and didn't pay attention. It's my fault," Annie apologized softly.

Finn continued to ascend the stairs in silence, acknowledging Annie with a low, appreciative grunt. His voice had a hint of gentleness that even he hadn't realized. 

Perhaps, at that moment, Finn no longer felt the same level of resentment towards Annie as he did when she had unexpectedly appeared at his house.

Together, they descended to the ground floor, with Finn going straight to the kitchen, where he found a familiar water pitcher in the corner.

"Let me help you pour some water," Annie offered, pouring a glass for Finn and then serving herself one. They quietly sipped their water, exchanging no further words. Afterward, they silently made their way back to their respective rooms.

Everything seemed unchanged on the surface, but there was a subtle shift in the hearts of both individuals.

A few days later, Annie's life at Finn's home had gradually settled down, and at least Finn was no longer overly hostile when she was around. One morning, while Annie and Finn were having breakfast together in the dining room, the doorbell rang slowly.

"Let me answer the door," Keelin offered.

Keelin felt a momentary surprise since it had been a while since anyone had visited Finn, but she quickly regained her composure and went outside. After a while, a gentle but somewhat arrogant male voice rang out.

"Finn, it's been a while. I've come to visit you, my dear little brother."

The newcomer was dressed in a finely tailored vest and wore an expensive watch, exuding an air of sophistication and privilege. He had a tall presence with a handsome face and sharp eyebrows, but his voice was strangely cold.

Annie couldn't help but shiver, her instincts telling her that this person did not have good intentions. After speaking softly with Keelin and learning that he was Hubert, Annie began to piece things together.

As for Finn, upon hearing this voice, his face immediately revealed his disdain, his teeth gritting as if he were suppressing something. His hands tightened around the fork he was holding.

"Thank you for your concern. But I'm still alive and quite comfortable; it seems to have disappointed you," Finn retorted, his tone laced with sarcasm.

Seeing that Finn, despite his blindness, maintained his dignity and composure, Hubert's disappointed expression flickered momentarily.

"Why would you think so poorly of me? I care about you and worry that you might suffer and despair without your sight, which is why I wanted to come and take care of you. We used to be very close, didn't we? If there's anything I can do to help, just let me know; don't hesitate," Hubert said in a seemingly kind tone.

Finn sighed and took a sip of water, sitting straight without flinching. "Oh, I thought you were here to mock and feign affection. My father isn't here; you don't need to put on a show of caring."

Hubert casually put his hand in his pocket, shrugged his shoulders, and sat in a chair across from Finn, tapping the table lightly.

"If you don't need any help, then so be it. It seems my goodwill is surplus. Can I join you for breakfast then? I haven't eaten anything this morning," he said.

Keelin also appeared to dislike Hubert, as she deliberately slammed the breakfast items onto the table while serving him. Hubert, pretending not to notice, tilted his head and glanced at Annie beside him.

"Is this your fiancée, Sofia? She looks lovely. It's a pity, though, that fate has dealt her such a hand, ending up with a blind man," he remarked.

After being kind and exposed by Finn, Hubert no longer pretended and began taunting him directly. Without waiting for Finn to respond, Annie laughed and retorted.

"Pity? I don't feel that way at all. In fact, I consider myself lucky that my fiancé is Finn and not some stepchild who's so self-righteous and full of himself, spouting words that make one's skin crawl."

Annie was a gentle soul, but she always knew how to protect those around her. Excessive humility only worsened the situation, and she didn't want that.

Perhaps this cold and firm rebuttal of Annie surprised Hubert, as his interest flickered in his eyes. After finishing chewing a bite of his sandwich, he replied with a mocking tone.

"Sofia, you truly know how to appear optimistic. I remember when my mother married Finn's dad; you even said you wanted to switch places and become my fiancée. So, did you feel embarrassed because I rejected you back then, and now you are embarrassed and angry?"

This revelation left Annie's mind blank, her face stiff. She never expected that Sofia had engaged in such shocking behavior in the past. 

Tense and with a dry mouth, she looked at Finn, who was calmly drinking water and showed no signs of surprise. It suddenly dawned on her why Finn had initially kept pushing her away, even suggesting that she might try to seduce Hubert instead of caring for him. There was a shocking story behind it all.

With a slight change in her expression, Annie smiled gracefully and walked over to Finn, helping him refill his nearly empty glass of water.

"Well, before, I had eyes as blind as a bat, and I did foolish things that made you laugh," she said playfully.

"But now, I'm genuinely regretful that my eyes have suddenly improved, allowing me to see through manipulative people like you. So, just looking at you tires me out," Annie continued, maintaining her cheerful tone.

"At the moment, I only want to live harmoniously with Finn, to be a beautiful and gentle fiancée to him."

Her words not only startled Hubert but also left Finn astonished. Annie remained as she was, smiling heartily, and reached out to help tidy up Finn's slightly disheveled hair before narrowing her eyes at Hubert.

"I believe you've finished your meal. So, are you ready to leave? As you can see, there's no one here welcoming you inside."