I threw myself into her arms, crying like a fool.
Sebastian stood awkwardly nearby, until I tugged at his sleeve. "Isabella, I brought him back. What do you think? Do you still like him?"
He couldn't take it anymore, and shouted at me in a low voice:
"Anastasia, don't go too far."
My sister smiled weakly, her stiff arm trembling as she reached out to touch my head.
Her speech was still a bit difficult, but she softly called my name. "Anastasia."
I cried even harder.
Sebastian was annoyed by my crying, so he simply left the room.
When my sister fell asleep, I wiped my tears and went to find him.
I carefully pleaded, "Can you not tell my sister about our relationship?" He glanced at me and flicked the cigarette he was holding.
"Our relationship?" he asked.
"Isn't it just friendship?"
He said coolly, "I have no other relationship with you."
"... True."
I bit my lip, "Then please be careful with your words and don't upset my sister."
He thought for a moment, then nodded with an air of nobility.
I turned to go back but was suddenly called by him.
I turned around and saw him leaning against the railing in the dim light, holding an unlit cigarette, smiling at me:
"I've realized something, Anastasia, you finally stopped calling me Mr. Delacroix."
"Doesn't this count as a good sign?"
"...It's just that I don't feel like being polite with you anymore."
I was about to snap back when suddenly a thought crossed my mind—
All women fear the persistent man... Could it be?!
I was startled, quickly turning and running back to the ward, trying to calm my racing heart.
---
During one rehab session, my sister suddenly asked me.
"Anastasia, does Sebastian like you?"
I froze, not knowing how to answer. "Isabella, I..."
"I'm not blind. The way he looks at you, it's like his eyes are filled with pink bubbles. How could I not notice?" My sister patted my shoulder and gave me a meaningful look.
"Anastasia, you're amazing. You've done what I couldn't."
"It's because I took care of him when he was down. That's why he likes me!" I quickly explained. "If it had been you, he would have liked you just the same."
"Fate is also very important in relationships."
My sister smiled. "It just means you two have fate, and..."
Her gaze deepened. "If you can marry him, we'll be able to easily crush those who have bullied us."
"This is the most convenient and effective way, although it may seem like we're using others for our advantage. But when they bullied us, they weren't walking the right path."
She gently stroked my hair. "Anastasia, you don't have to dislike him for my sake. Just follow your heart."
I cautiously asked:
"Isabella, you really don't mind?"
"You've liked him for so many years, how could I..."
"Crushes don't matter until they're confessed. If they're not exposed, it means they weren't that important."
She whispered, "True love can't be hidden, just like how Sebastian feels for you."
"As soon as he sees you, his eyes light up."
---
At mealtime, I looked around but couldn't find that spark in Sebastian's eyes. I couldn't help but feel a little gloomy, stabbing at the broccoli on my plate until it was torn apart.
Sebastian couldn't watch me like this anymore. "What's wrong with you?" I sulkily asked:
"If I used your influence to bully someone, would you help me?"
"I could, but..."
He hesitated and said, "But I have thousands of friends. Just the name of the friend won't help you bully anyone."
I stared at him. "What about a girlfriend?"
Sebastian froze, his Adam's apple moved, his eyes lowered slightly, and his voice became hoarse. "Are you serious?"
I nodded. "I want to use your influence to bully people, Sebastian, I might offend a lot of people."
He smiled and reached up to touch my head.
"It's fine, go ahead. I can handle being offended. As for the people I can't handle...That's nothing."
He smiled gently, hiding a hint of madness and devotion, and softly kissed my fingertip. "Anastasia, I believe in you."
