After Finn finished his meal, he left. He wasn’t staying here tonight. Aoife stood at the door, watching him until she couldn’t see the tail lights of his car anymore before turning back inside.
Back in the bedroom, Aoife carried a medicine box and carefully removed the red dress from her body. The burn on her back continued to sting, and looking in the mirror, the five burn marks were a horrifying sight.
Aoife disinfected the wounds with iodine, the liquid stinging the wounds, causing her to let out a muffled groan. Clenching her teeth, her eyes turned red as she painstakingly cleaned the wounds with a cotton swab.
Does Finn love her? There are three great illusions in the world, one of them being thinking that others have different feelings towards oneself.
If Finn didn’t like her, he wouldn’t have brought her to such a nice house to live in. He wouldn’t have paid for her education, hired a teacher to teach her violin, or bought her so many beautiful red dresses. If he didn’t like her, he wouldn’t have given her such a lovely name.
Elisa, symbolizing a new beginning, knowing everything about you, loving you like the first time. How nice.
Aoife gathered her spirits. She liked Finn, and could tolerate his hurtful actions. But she was also afraid of pain and hoped that someone would show her some care.
It’s okay… It’s okay… Aoife comforted herself. After applying the medicine, the wounds would soon heal, and the scars would no longer hurt.
After washing her face, Aoife returned to the bedroom. With the wounds on her back, she couldn’t lie down flat. She was afraid of dirtying the “expensive” mattress and even laid a plastic bag underneath, which made a rustling sound with every slight movement.
Curled up, hugging her head, her body bent like a shrimp. This sleeping position indicated that this person had no sense of security, even in sleep.
Aoife had a dream. She dreamt that Finn didn’t want her anymore, and she cowered by the trash can, as pitiful as the stray cat beside her.
But dreams were just dreams. Nightmares were just a way of expressing fears in a different form.
Aoife believed that as long as she behaved well, listened to Finn, and endured the pain, she could stay by his side forever.
What she didn’t know was that to men, she had always been just a dispensable plaything, no different from the stray dogs on the roadside, even worse because she was just a substitute.
Arriving at the old Burns family mansion, Finn got out of the car. Uncle Atonal stood at the door and called out to him, “Young Master Finn.”
His attitude was respectful, without any extra emotions.
Finn responded with a simple “Hmm” and asked, “Is grandfather asleep?”
“He’s waiting for you inside. He has something to say to you.”
Finn hesitated for a moment before smirking and walked in with a nonchalant smile.
In the hall, Finn saw Old Burns sitting on the sofa, leaning on a cane with his eyes closed.
In recent years, he had aged considerably. The energy he once possessed was no longer there. This man who once dominated the business world for the Burns family had been defeated by time.
“Grandfather.”
As people age, their hearing tends to decline. Even with a hearing aid, Finn’s voice couldn’t be heard clearly. Approaching again, he gently said, “Grandfather.”
This time, Old Burns opened his eyes. Those bright eyes had become somewhat cloudy, with a hint of yellow in his eye whites. Finn looked at the wrinkles on his face and for some reason, felt like laughing.
“Sit down.”
Finn had always been obedient in front of Old Burns. If he told him to sit down, he wouldn’t stand. Being “compliant” was a habit he had cultivated since childhood in this predatory Burns family. Only by gaining his protection could one remain unharmed.
Surviving in between, flexible and adaptable, was a lesson he had learned at a young age, even though he detested this old man.
“How old are you this year?”
“I’m thirty.”
Old Burns looked at him solemnly. “You’re at that age… It’s time to get married.”
Finn’s breath caught, but his expression remained unchanged.
“The youngest daughter of the Dankworth family has just returned from abroad. She’s a good match. Meet her and get married.”
Old Burns didn’t ask for Finn’s opinion, nor did he discuss suitability. In his eyes, as long as the match was advantageous for both sides, there was no need for much emotion in a union.
Finn had long anticipated this day and wasn’t too surprised. But for some reason, Aoife’s shadow flashed through his mind.
He replied, “Okay.”
Old Burns nodded, satisfied with his obedience. At eighty-five years old, his health was deteriorating day by day, and who knew when he might leave this world. The only thing he couldn’t let go of was the vast Burns family estate.
Finn and Hamish were both heirs, but the Burns Group couldn’t be divided, leaving only one successor.
At his age, other elderly people had grandchildren all around them, yet he… could only relate to old Mr. He.
“I know you have someone on the outside.”
Upon hearing this, Finn’s eyes darkened.
Old Burns rubbed his cane against the book, his voice low. “It’s just a fling. Such relationships can’t be brought to light. You should understand that.”
Didn’t Finn understand? Because his mother was no different from Aoife, he lowered his lashes to hide all emotions.
“I understand.”