After Austin left, Connor turned to look at Annette with a smile. "It seems that I'm much more important than Austin in your heart."
Annette frowned and didn't know what Connor meant.
Connor continued, "Austin and I are both here, yet you only drove him away."
"I also drove you away. Remember?" Annette said resignedly.
Connor was not angry. Instead, he arched one brow and said, "Because I am persistent and know exactly what I want."
"That's why I can't forgive you after you helped others deceive me."
Even if Connor knew clearly what he wanted, he still chose to help Alina hide the truth from Annette.
No matter how hard Annette tried, she couldn't figure out why.
Connor said, "I took the blame not because I want to help Alina to deceive you."
"Do you know? I have been trying to convince myself with your explanation, but I can't do it because I don't want to deceive myself."
Annette raised her eyes and said seriously, "As I've told you before, I never felt secure. The trauma left by my dysfunctional family is great. I never had a father who cared for me, and I watched people humiliate my mother and witness her death. So, I have to keep my distance from men and be more cautious, and I won't let anyone get close to me easily whether it is Kyle or you. Kyle and you both said you knew me, yet you can never truly understand how I struggled before I accepted you. It's hard to gain my trust, while it's easy to shatter it. Maybe you think that I'm being unreasonable. Because none of you understands the fear deep in my heart."
"If I say I understand you, will you believe me?"
As Connor spoke, his eyes were fixed on Annette's.
Their eyes locked and neither of them looked away.
Connor smiled, "You believe me, don't you?"
Annette lowered her eyes and lay down.
That was right. She did believe Connor.
Because she trusted him, she had been hesitant these days.
With her personality, she should have protected herself and never given Connor a chance again. However, she did not do so.
In front of Annette, Connor was always himself.
Although she asked him to leave, deep down, she wished he wouldn't stay.
She didn't want to be alone.
Annette knew why she had such thoughts, yet she refused to compromise.
Keeping her mouth shut was the last stronghold she could hold on to.
Connor saw her close her eyes and couldn't help but smile.
Annette trusted him deep down, but she just wouldn't admit it.
Annette was feeling a little drowsy, but then, there was a knock on the door behind her.
She opened her eyes and looked toward the door with Connor.
Alina opened the door and walked in. She was also wearing a patient's gown.
Annette didn't want to see Alina.
Connor stood up and asked coldly, "What are you doing here?"
Alina ignored Connor and walked to the bedside, expressing her concern for Annette.
"Ms. Hall, I heard that you were here. How are you feeling now? Are you okay?"
Annette forced a smile and said, "I'm fine. Thank you."
Connor walked in front of Alina and said displeased, "Annette needs rest. You're not welcome here. Just leave."
Annette felt good about Connor's attitude toward Alina, yet she also felt guilty for thinking so.
Whether Connor was faking it or not, at least he would stand up to Annette.
"Connor, you're being overly sensitive. I heard that Ms. Hall was sent to the hospital, and I was just worried about her. We are both pregnant, and I know the fear of a miscarriage, so I simply want to check on her."
"Annette has me. Does she need your comfort for her fear? What do you think I'm here for?"
Connor's cold tone made Alina angry.
Alina took a deep breath and reminded herself to hold back her anger.
She glanced at Annette and said, "Ms. Hall, may I speak with you alone for a moment?"
Before Annette said anything, Connor said, "Annette is not feeling well. Can't you see it?"
"Connor, you're going too far. Since you married Ms. Hall, we are now family. What's the meaning of you being so guarded against me? Do you think I will harm Ms. Hall?"
Connor's eyes were filled with disdain as he said, "She needs rest. That's all I'm saying."
However, Alina had no intention of leaving and it was a deadlock situation.
Annette said, "Connor, will you get me some food? I'm a bit hungry."
Connor turned back to her and said, "No. I'm afraid she will poison your mind after I'm gone."
"If a person is strong-minded, he wouldn't be affected by others."
Annette thought she was indeed not strong enough, and she had never denied her for being sensitive and weak.
However, she couldn't always choose to run from problems.
"Just go."
Connor didn't move.
Annette then asked, "Or do you prefer me to go out and talk with Ms. Grace?"
Connor turned around and glared at Alina. He warned her, "Be careful with what you say. I won't go easy on you this time if you hurt her again."
After he finished his words, he snorted and walked out.
Alina sat down on the bedside and let out a sigh.
She didn't speak, and Annette didn't say anything either.
After a while, Alina said, "I know I did something wrong this time. Connor hates betrayal the most. He and I reached an agreement to keep it a secret, yet I called you the next day and told you the truth. I am so sorry to you guys."
Alina looked up at Annette, who was expressionless.
"Ms. Hall, will you believe me? I didn't intend to destroy your relationship with Connor."
Annette turned to Alina and said, "Ms. Grace, I admit that I didn't like you much, but I didn't hate you either. However, since I found out that you were the one who exposed my family background, I couldn't consider you as a friend anymore because I couldn't understand your so-called good intentions."
Alina said, "I just thought that the problem would be solved as long as you made your identity clear. I explained it to you in our last conversation. My intention was indeed to help Connor. After all, if it weren't for Connor, I wouldn't have met you."
Annette continued, "You made a rash decision and you didn't know that you crossed the line. You are married to Lucas. Why do you have to meddle in Connor's business."
Alina was left speechless.
Annette had the image of a harmless woman.
However, Alina underestimated her.
At least, Annette didn't choose to compromise and played dumb like others, but stood up against Alina.
Alina forced a bitter smile and said, "Ms. Hall, I thought you would understand me. You have also loved someone else before, and you should know how unforgettable first love can be. Although Connor and I cannot be a couple anymore, we are still family. As long as Lucas didn't divorce me, it would remain that way. This is also the most painful thing for me. The person I love most is right beside me, yet I can only be someone else's wife. I always feel I owe Connor a lot, and that's why I don't want him to be wronged. Ms. Hall, maybe you don't like me, but I like you. Because you are Connor's wife, I'm willing to apologize to you again and again as I don't want to be your enemy. Don't worry, I won't steal Connor from you. I know he is yours. So, clean slate? I don't want to put Connor in a quandary."
Annette glanced sideways and put on a sarcastic smile. Alina said that as if it was Annette's fault.
In Alina's eyes, Annette was narrow-minded and put Connor in a quandary and made Alina apologize repeatedly.