Annette hesitated.
She had to stay in the Black Thorn Pack for several days and would surely encounter Austin. And she could not keep avoiding him, as that would be disrespectful.
Maybe it would be better to make things clear now.
Annette looked in the direction of the door.
She walked over and opened the door.
Austin looked at Annette, his gaze as gentle as ever. Then he said, "How about going to the rooftop for a chat?"
Annette said to Dwayne, "I will be back soon. You should take a break."
After giving Austin a brief glance, Dwayne nodded at Annette and said, "Alright, Luna."
Annette followed Austin to the rooftop.
Austin said, "Let's sit for a while."
Annette walked over and sat down.
Austin sat in the seat next to Annette.
Both of them remained silent for a while.
Austin then said, "I never thought that we would have the chance to meet and chat in this house again."
Annette didn't respond.
Austin added, "Actually, this is what I've dreamed of. But for some reason, I really feel sorry to see you like this now. Ann, so, you still chose that way. The one I never wished you to take."
Annette took a deep breath and looked at Austin. "Do you not want me to be here or do you not want me to be with Connor?"
Austin answered honestly, "Well, both."
Annette pursed her lips tightly and gave a faint smile. She looked away to the far distance.
"Ann, do you have nothing to say to me?"
Annette shook her head.
"Have we become so estranged? Are you still angry with me for taking you away last time?"
Annette said, "Not really. I made my choices for my life and I will not regret it because of your opinion. Whether it is right or wrong, I will bear the consequences."
Austin shook his head and said helplessly, "If you had listened to me from the beginning and stayed away from Connor, maybe..."
Annette cut in, "There is no 'if'. Everything worked out for the best for me."
"Do you love Connor that much?"
Annette thought, 'Love?
Yes.
I indeed fell in love with Connor.'
But thinking about all that Connor did for Alina, Annette couldn't help but feel grieved.
Annette thought, 'I love Connor, but I'm not the love of his life.' Thinking of this, she lowered her head, feeling hurt.
Annette's hesitation made Austin reach out and hold her hand.
"Ann, it's not too late. I still want to ask you the question I posed last time. If I give up everything and take you away, will you come with me?"
Annette looked at Austin, wondering why he still insisted on taking her away even though things had come to this point.
Annette thought, 'Doesn't Austin know me well?
If I wanted to go with him, I wouldn't have refused him last time.'
"Ann, have you given it much thought these days?"
Annette earnestly said, "My answer is still no."
Austin still didn't want to give up and asked angrily, "Why Connor? Is he really worth it? To count your future on him?"
Annette thought about the past and nodded. "Connor made me feel warm, so warm that no one ever made me feel the same way. People may think he is cold and ruthless, but in my eyes, he is the sweetest man ever."
"What about me? Am I not nice enough to you?"
Annette looked at Austin's earnest gaze and she was worried that he would tell her the truth all of a sudden.
"You've always been nice to me, and I am grateful to you. You are a good brother to me!" Annette said tentatively, trying not to upset him and hoping Austin could keep his cool.
Austin was in agony. "If that's the case, why don't you ever listen to me?"
"Austin, why do you insist on the idea that Connor is not the right one for me? You don't really know him, do you?" Annette simply wanted to defend Connor.
"Connor is a member of the Blood Moon Pack, which has an unbreakable grudge toward the Black Thorn Pack. In my opinion, he must be up to something to get close to you."
Annette sneered, "I hate the Black Thorn Pack too. Perhaps my hatred towards the Black Thorn Pack is even more than that toward the Blood Moon Pack. People of the Black Thorn Pack not only owe the lives of the Blood Moon Pack but also owe mine. Has my mother's life become so insignificant that you guys can ignore it?"
Austin felt defeated and said, "That's not what I meant. I meant to say..."
Annette interrupted and said, "Regardless of what you mean, I just want to tell you that you don't know how good Connor is to me. And that's why you're trying to impose your thoughts on me. I've been with Connor for a long time, and I know how I feel about him. Connor is perfect. Besides, if you love someone, you can't just stop loving him that easily."
Austin sighed and said, "So, you think Connor is the one for you?"
Annette nodded.
Annette felt hurt speaking up for Connor at this time because Alina was the one he cared about the most. But what she said to Austin just now was her true feelings.
Austin still didn't give up. He asked again, "Who would you choose if I'm not your brother?"
Annette said without hesitation, "I'll choose Connor."
"Why? Is he that perfect for you that you don't even hesitate to answer me?"
"You are nice too, but you belong to the Black Thorn Pack." That was cruel but true.
Austin covered his face with both hands and he was in pain.
Annette stood up, trying to end this conversation. She said, "If there is nothing else, I'll head downstairs now."
Since Austin didn't say anything, Annette turned around to leave.
Austin suddenly grabbed Annette's wrist.
When Annette turned around, Austin happened to lift his head and looked at her with sadness in his eyes.
"There's another thing that I need to tell you."
Annette had a bad feeling about what he was about to say.
She shook her head and said, "I don't want to know. I'm going downstairs to rest."
"You have to. If I don't tell you now, I'm afraid I'll drive myself crazy. Ann, I'm a member of the Black Thorn Pack, but I'm not the real son of Mom and Dad. So, I'm not your brother."
Annette's heart skipped a beat, and she didn't know what to say.
She knew that.
But Annette didn't expect Austin to bring it up now.
"Ann, you used to ask me why I was so nice to you. This is the reason. Because I am not your brother. So, I don't see you as my sister. Instead, I see you as a charming woman. And I'm obsessed with you. I am good to you because I love you, like between men and women."
At the same time, someone was eavesdropping attentively on the stairs.