Music recommendation: I miss you, I’m sorry— Gracie Abrams.

Anning’s pov

"I don’t care." I added, soon after.

I wonder how she felt now that her own words were being thrown right at her.

Wanqing frowned at me, turning to look at Xiao Qingyue before saying, "You don’t care?"

"No, I do not."

"You can’t do that. You served me before and you’re doing it again." She said coldly, leaving no room for arguments or objections.

Funny enough, I wasn’t going to argue with her. I didn’t have the strength to.

"And now, I don’t want to." I said, smiling politely. "It happens."

I watched something unusual flicker across her expression before disappearing. I ignored it.

Why? Because what exactly was I supposed to do?

Be grateful? Whine about it or throw myself at her feet because she’d suddenly remembered I existed?

That wasn’t going to be possible. I had spent these past few months picking myself back together.

I wasn’t undoing all that work because Gu Wanqing suddenly decided she wanted me to work for her.

Xiao Qingyue turned her head to stare at the open window before saying, "I think you both should stop talking. It’s getting annoying."

I glanced at her but didn’t say anything else, I lowered my gaze slightly. Wondering what she still wanted from me.

"You may leave for now." Qingyue said, waving her hand in dismissal.

"I can go?" I asked quickly, sounding a bit too excited. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Wanqing glare at me.

"I’ll send for you later though." She responded.

I narrowed my eyes suspiciously before saying, "Why?"

"You’ll know when the time comes." She replied with a smile.

I hated it when people tend to be mysterious. Unfortunately, everyone in this room happened to be mysterious.

I bowed slightly and said, "Then I’ll take my—"

"There’s one more thing." Xiao Qingyue interrupted me so casually I almost didn’t notice the sly smile she had on her face.

"Wanqing and I will be getting married soon." She said with a soft and beautiful smile on her lips.

Like a flower waiting to be picked, she looked like a person in love.

For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

The room around me had gone completely quiet. Xiao Qingyue was still smiling. Wanqing just sat there with the same unreadable expression on her face.

And I, I just stood there like some wilted plant. Pathetic.

Nothing had changed between us. And yet, everything had changed between them.

Wanqing and Qingyue were getting married soon. I allowed my gaze to flicker between the two of them.

A strange numbness settled over me before I could do anything else. I couldn’t breathe, my hands trembled beside my body and my finger tips felt oddly cold.

Was this normal?

Maybe not. But I had always known this would eventually happen.

I mean, Wanqing had a fiancee. A freaking princess.

Someone who loved her, who was beautiful, elegant and born into the same world as her.

Someone who could stand beside her proudly without rumours spreading about them.

I just never thought hearing Xiao Qingyue say that out loud would hurt this much. The sad part about all this was I had prepared for this exact moment.

For nine months, I had convinced myself I was over her. Apparently, I was a terrible liar.

The corners of my lips lifted into a soft smile before I could stop myself. Then I bowed slightly.

"That is good news. Congratulations." My voice sounded normal.

As though someone hadn’t just reached into my chest and squeezed until ’that’ cracked.

"May the two of you grow old together and live happily."

The smile on Qingyue’s face dropped. Perhaps, she hadn’t expected me to give them my blessing so easily.

"Thank you." She replied after a moment of silence and I nodded.

Then, my eyes drifted towards Wanqing. I thought she’d thank me or at least smile.

But she simply stared back at me.

For the first time since she returned, I allowed myself to really look at her. At the woman who had kissed me without thinking of the consequences.

At the same woman who had taken a punishment meant for me. The same woman who had left without speaking to me and the same god-damned woman who allowed her fianceè to announce their marriage.

To me. It wasn’t even my business?!

As our eyes met I had no idea what expression I had on my face. But I silently hoped how I felt in my chest wasn’t how my face looked.

I pulled my gaze away from her first and then took a step backward. "I’ll take my leave now."

I turned around and then walked out of the room, nobody stopped me. Deep down, I was grateful for that.

As I walked down the hallways, I kept my gaze fixed on the floor. Tears gathered in my eyes with every step I took.

The corner of my eyes were slightly blurred, so I couldn’t exactly see where I was going. A few servants bowed at me as I walked past them, someone also called my name.

But I didn’t respond.

I bit on my lower lip and continued walking. I didn’t think about anything, not because I didn’t want to.

But because, it hurts to think. I freaking thought she felt something for me.

How stupid. I wasn’t one to fall in love or feel anything for someone else this quickly. But now that I actually did, how did that end up?!

A laugh escaped my lips and it didn’t sound like it came from me. My voice sound bitter and hoarse.

By the time I realized where I’d ended up, the Gu residence stood several steps behind me.

I was standing in the garden tucked away just behind the estate.

It was quieter here. The scent of flowers in the air, made my racing heart calm for a bit. I stared blankly ahead of me until I felt something warm slide down my cheek.

I froze.

I slowly lifted my hand to touch my face and it was freaking wet.

"S-seriously?"