But Oliver Hudson took a step back and shook his head.
If it had not been for him, Annie Anne wouldn’t have ended up .
Every time Charlotte Thompson thought about Annie Anne’s previous mention of wanting to forgive Oliver Hudson, she couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable upon seeing him now.
The two weren’t very acquainted, only having a brief chat about Annie Anne when unexpectedly, the rain outside grew heavier.
Charlotte Thompson felt relieved; thankfully, Annie Anne had asked her to bring an umbrella before she left.
Just then, a familiar car drove up, Charlotte Thompson initially thought she was seeing things until Justin Battleson got out of the car.
Charlotte Thompson hadn’t expected Justin Battleson to actually come to pick her up.
With an umbrella in hand, Justin Battleson approached Charlotte Thompson and after a glance at Oliver Hudson beside her, he greeted him.
"Why are you here?" Charlotte Thompson asked with a hint of surprise.
"I saw it was raining outside, so I came to pick you up," Justin said as he reached for Charlotte Thompson’s hand, noticing her fingertips were a bit cold.
"Get in the car," he said with concern.
Charlotte Thompson nodded and then picked up Olivia Thompson.
Olivia Thompson waved to Oliver Hudson, said goodbye, and then got into the car with Charlotte Thompson.
Oliver Hudson stood at the end of the corridor, raindrops from the eaves splashing on his shoulder, but his feet remained rooted to the spot.
"I really envy you," Oliver Hudson spoke faintly towards Justin Battleson.
A slight frown formed between Justin’s eyebrows.
"You really look like a family of three."
A self-mocking smile rippled through Oliver Hudson’s dark pupils, but he soon lowered his gaze and restrained himself.
Justin Battleson was at a loss for words, unsure of what to say to Oliver Hudson in that moment.
The two exchanged a silent look and then, as if by a tacit agreement, they each turned and walked away.
Justin Battleson took Charlotte Thompson and Olivia home, while Oliver Hudson went to visit Annie Anne.
When Oliver Hudson entered the room, he found Annie Anne sitting on the balcony, the windows slightly ajar, allowing a few raindrops to sprinkle in occasionally.
She just sat there blankly, listening to the sound of the pattering rain.
Seeing her , Oliver Hudson felt a twinge of pain in his heart. He quickly approached and draped a blanket over her. The source of thɪs content is NoveI(F)ire.net
"Don’t catch a cold."
Oliver Hudson said tenderly, holding Annie’s palm only to find it extremely cold, so he took her in his arms from the balcony.
However, this time Annie Anne didn’t reject Oliver Hudson’s touch as she usually did and even leaned her head gently against his chest.
This made Oliver Hudson pause, his movements stiffening and a trace of panic surfacing.
He carefully laid Annie Anne on the couch, knelt before her, and tucked the blanket around her.
"I’ll get you a cup of hot water to warm your hands."
As Oliver Hudson rose to stand, Annie Anne unexpectedly grabbed his fingers.
Annie Anne looked up, her soft hair cascading down her shoulders, her voice light yet clear enough for Oliver Hudson to hear every word.
"Sit with me for a while."
Oliver Hudson didn’t understand his feelings at that moment; Annie Anne’s fingertips were ice-cold, but the touch made his skin feel as if it were being scorched by fiery flames.
It had been so long since Annie Anne had spoken to him with such a calm tone.
Oliver Hudson softly responded with a "Yes," and sat beside Annie Anne, adjusting the blanket that had slipped from her.
His initial impulse to hold her close, however, was halted mid-action.
But this time, Annie Anne leaned into him of her own accord.
He listened as Annie Anne murmured his name.