Annette was in a panic. She struggled for a while but couldn't break free.
Austin gazed at her with affection and continued, "Actually, I've wanted to confess to you for a long time, but I was afraid of scaring you off. I've been so anxious, watching you getting closer and closer to Connor. I'm worried that he will take you away from me. That's why I said those things to make you angry, but I regret it every time. Ann, my feelings for you are genuine. I hope you'll consider me. I'm not like him. I can drop everything for you at any time, as long as you say it."
Annette tried her best to calm herself down and said, "Austin, you are my brother. Please let go first."
"Don't call me brother anymore," Austin refused loudly.
Annette said in a louder voice, "Then who are you to me? I'm truly sorry, but I really can't give you what you want. I'll never betray Connor. Even if I wasn't with him, I wouldn't be with you. Even though you're not Lance and Leslie's son, they are your foster parents. You will never truly understand my pain. All you did was pity me and ask me to be strong and learn to forgive. That's not what I want."
She lowered her head and looked at his hand clutching her wrist. She said, "I think I have expressed myself clearly. Can you let go now?"
Austin slowly relaxed his grip.
Annette said calmly, "You chose the wrong time to express your feelings, and all I can say to you is sorry. I hope you can soon let go of your feelings for me."
After she finished speaking, she turned around and walked downstairs.
Austin placed his hand on the stone table and let out a bitter smile.
Yes, it was indeed the wrong timing.
He should have told Annette the truth when he first saw Connor walk her back to school.
He was always indecisive and therefore missed everything he wanted.
Annette returned to her room, feeling a wave of discomfort in her heart.
Although she refused Austin firmly, she always treated him like a brother. She wasn't happy when she saw him suffer.
She knew that from now on, she had no excuse to lie to herself anymore.
She no longer had a brother.
Annette had dinner in her room again.
During the meal, Connor called her but she didn't answer.
Soon, Dwayne knocked on the door and walked in, handing her the phone. "Luna, there is a video call from Alpha Connor."
Annette lowered her head and said, "I'm having dinner now. I don't have time."
Dwayne had to say to Connor, "Alpha Connor, Luna said she was having dinner now."
Connor wasn't angry and said, "Dwayne, just leave the phone on her table and take a rest."
"Yes, Alpha Connor."
Dwayne left after putting down the phone.
Annette glared at the phone screen and continued to eat.
Connor said, "Dwayne said that you did great today."
Annette remained silent.
Conner then said, "If they ever bully you again, just tell them I would be on your side. You did great."
Annette put down her utensils and looked at Connor on the screen.
"I am eating. Can you please not disturb me?"
"I'm also eating. Look," Connor turned the camera around and his dinner appeared on the screen.
Annette frowned. Then Connor's face appeared on the screen again.
Connor seemed to be muttering to himself, "I have gotten used to eating with you. Now that you're not here, I don't feel like eating. How about you?"
"I had a good appetite just now, but not anymore."
Connor pretended to be angry and snorted, "Are you saying that I ruined your appetite?"
Annette didn't say anything.
"Why aren't you talking?"
"I need to be alone to calm down."
"You've been doing that for two days. I'm not sure if you'll still love me if it goes on like that."
Annette rubbed the bridge of her nose.
She knew that Connor was a stubborn man.
She couldn't stop him from doing what he wanted to do.
Didn't he want to video chat? Fine.
Connor saw her finally start eating again and smiled. "Have you noticed that we are having the same food?"
Annette didn't pay attention just now, so of course she didn't notice.
"Even if we are not together, we should enjoy the same food."
Connor continued to talk while eating, though Annette remained silent.
Connor knew that she had heard what he said.
Annette was quite surprised.
Connor never struck her as a chatty man.
After dinner, she excused herself for a shower and handed the phone to Dwayne.
After the shower, she was about to go to bed. Then Dwayne's voice came again.
"Luna, Alpha Lance is here."
Annette came to the door and gazed at Lance with an indifferent expression.
Lance said, "Don't get up too late tomorrow. I'm taking you somewhere."
Annette didn't say anything. She took a step back and closed the door.
Lance walked away awkwardly.
Annette didn't expect him to be so impatient.
This was for the best. He should let her play her role sooner so that she could leave sooner.
She wanted to end this show as soon as possible.
In the morning, Annette finished her breakfast and went downstairs.
Lance and Leslie were both there.
They had dressed up and were waiting for her.
Leslie rolled her eyes at Annette and scorned, "Why can't you manage your time? Being raised by a mistress makes you rude."
Lance said impatiently, "Enough! It's not the time for that!"
Leslie said angrily, "Lance, do you think you have become powerful since she's now Luna of Blood Moon Pack? I'm telling you. No matter what, you can't pay back what you owed to the Black Thorn Pack!"
Lance was no longer the young man he once was. "So? Do you still want to pick a fight with me?"
Annette crossed her arms and sat down at the edge of the sofa to watch them argue.
Leslie pointed at Annette and said, "Look at your precious daughter. Her mother was a mistress. But does she know her place?"
Annette glared at Leslie and said, "It's your fight. Leave me out of it."
Lance snorted coldly and couldn't be bothered to argue with these two women.
He looked at Annette and said, "Let's go. The car is waiting at the gate."
Dwayne would also go with them, so Lance arranged a business van.
Dwayne sat in the passenger seat. Annette sat in the second row, while Lance and Leslie sat in the back row.
Leslie's cold eyes roamed around Annette throughout the way to the city.
Annette didn't mind it, but Leslie was extremely upset.
The group arrived at the entrance of the mall. Lance said, "Ann, there will be reporters following us and taking photos secretly later. Try to keep it real."
Annette sneered, "You don't need to tell me that, since no one is more desperate than me to close this deal."
She got out of the car after saying so, ignoring the two people behind her.
Dwayne followed next to Annette.
After getting out of the car, Leslie walked reluctantly up to Annette's side and put her arm around hers.
As for strangers, they might think Annette and Leslie were close.
This was the first time Annette had been so close to Leslie.
The strong perfume on Leslie's body made Annette feel uncomfortable.
However, the show was still on.