Chapter 6

Anna was the spare in the family and treated as nonexistent at school.

But this boy—whom she felt worried to even admire—protected her when she was at her most vulnerable, letting her keep what little crumbling self-worth she had left.

That glimmer of light that was offered became the flame.

And like a moth, she was inevitably drawn to it.

She hence studied with as much desperation as diligence, barely managing to get into the same university as him.

He remained an overachiever, and was immediately appointed the youngest head researcher at the research center after graduation.

She submitted her resume to the institute too, giving up any better prospects just to stay beside him.

"Anna?"

Neil's voice pulled her back to reality.

The infirmary doctor was cleaning her wounds, and Neil stood nearby, his tone indifferent, "You should deal with your family quickly. Don't let it affect work."

These words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing the small flame that had risen in Anna's heart when he protected her.

That protection was offered not for her sake, but because it affected his work.

"Yeah," she murmured softly, her eyes downcast.

After his wound was treated, Neil glanced at the time. "There's a gathering tonight, let's go together."

-

It was a lively gathering, and the conversation naturally revolved around their recent academic breakthrough.

Josie was sitting next to Neil, excitedly recounting her experiences at the summit.

Her father, Professor York, was grinning as he watched his most prized student with his daughter.

His gaze kept darting between Neil and Josie, and he eventually smiled, "So, Neil… I heard you and Jo showed perfect teamwork. With your composure and her sense for initiatives, you both complement each other professionally and emotionally. You're not going to get younger either—you can't just focus completely on your work. I know Jo can behave like a kid at times, but her heart's always in the right place…"

"Dad!" Josie pouted disapprovingly, but she was blushing and her eyes remained glued to Neil, brimming with expectation.

Professor York's intention couldn't be clearer, and those around the table who knew about Neil's engagement with Anna kept quiet, only glancing at Anna subtly on occasion.

But Anna simply sat there, her eyes fixed on her cup of tea.

Neil was silent for a few beats until he spoke, his tone as calm as ever: "Thank you for your concern, Professor. However, my current focus is still on my project, and I don't have the time for anything else."

As soon as he finished, the blush on Josie's face vanished instantly as she turned deathly pale and stared at Neil in disbelief.

Soon, tears welled up in her eyes as she leaped to her feet and dashed out of the banquet room.

"Jo!" Professor York called out.

Neil watched her leave with a small frown, and eventually got up too. "I'll talk to her, professor."

An awkward silence filled the banquet room, with Mrs. Swan eventually leaning toward Anna and whispering, "Should I tell the professor? I mean, Neil didn't mention your engagement?"

Anna shook her head, "Nope."

If Neil didn't care to acknowledge their engagement, only for someone else to mention it? Everyone else would just treat it like a joke.

After sitting in silence for a few minutes, her stomach felt queasy too and she whispered to Mrs. Swan, "I need the ladies' room."

As she left the banquet room, she didn't go to the ladies' room, instead heading to the quiet courtyard behind the hotel.

The cool evening breeze blew away any cabin fever and the alcoholic fumes lingering on her, but that was when she saw them—under the tree not far away.

Josie stood with her back to her, her entire body buried in Neil's arms.

She was sobbing intermittently, "Why not me?! I love you, Neil! I know I look immature, and talk a lot unlike Anna, but I can change! What she can do, I can do better!"

Neil didn't reciprocate the embrace, but his tolerance spoke volumes.

Anna recalled the few times she tried to touch him, only for him to respond with unmistakable avoidance.

Just then, Neil seemed to notice and looked up to see Anna watching them impassive and calmly meeting his gaze.

As if they were just doing a soap opera routine, and she was a silent spectator.

If there was a reaction, it was her own nails digging deeply into her palms at her sides.

Neil's eyes twitched ever so slightly as if it were an illusion.

Meanwhile, Josie was still too caught in her own sadness to look up. "I know you better than she does, and I know better how to make you smile…"

Anna didn't linger any longer. She turned and walked away.

When she returned to the private room, she excused herself early, saying she wasn't feeling well.

Mrs. Swan looked at her with concern, but in the end, she said nothing.

Anna walked back to the staff quarters alone. The ashes in her heart seemed to scatter with the wind, leaving behind nothing but an empty hollow.

After she washed up and was ready to sleep, she heard the knock on her door, and answered it to see Neil standing under the dim hallway lights.