The Stepbrother’s Hidden Desires

David was still a bit hesitant, but Annabel was already pushing him forward from behind.

David deliberately walked very fast, just wanting to get her home as soon as possible. Annabel asked him, “You said last time that if I improved by fifty places in my final exam ranking, you would reward me. Does that still count?”

David remembered she had previously mentioned wanting to go to the aquarium. “Of course, didn’t you want to go to the aquarium? In a few days, we can go with Paul.”

“That’s not what I want.”

He asked casually, “Then what do you want?”

She suddenly stopped walking and looked at him mischievously. David waited to see what new trick she had up her sleeve.

Annabel smiled with her lips pressed together, still a bit shy, and mustered up the courage to say, “I want to kiss you.”

David felt the blood rush to his face and immediately put on a stern look. “Don’t be ridiculous!”

Seeing that he was really angry, Annabel quickly backtracked, “Haha, I was just joking. Why do you have to be so serious?”

This time, David didn’t go along with her. He flagged down a taxi and shoved her inside. “Tranquility Villa, go.”

But Annabel, this rascal, stuck her head out of the car and shouted loudly at the street, “David, I like you! I really, really like you!”

This drew the attention of many passersby. David gritted his teeth in frustration, wishing he could just strangle her!

It’s said that starting next semester, the workload will be heavy. Annabel plans to play recklessly during this summer vacation.

Logan is busy with various classes, like painting and piano, while Annabel constantly looks for opportunities to ask David out. She comes up with all sorts of excuses, like playing basketball or eating out, but he always says he doesn’t have time. She knows he is deliberately avoiding her.

On August 7th, Annabel’s birthday, Thomas was on a business trip and had apparently forgotten. She spent the day out with her friends and called David, hoping he would come. He declined, saying he was busy, but she saw in Paul’s Moments that he was with Nancy, watching her with a smile as she made a wish and blew out the candles.

Annabel felt a void in her heart.

Orla didn’t notice her unease and leaned in to ask about Logan, “When are you going to help me ask Logan out?”

Annabel glanced in Mason’s direction, thinking, If you two get together, Mason will kill me.

“He is with Aria now; it’s none of your business.”

Orla was a bit upset upon hearing this, but Annabel didn’t care. “What’s so great about Logan? My teacher is much more handsome than him.”

Annabel then shared her feelings for David.

“But he’s been ignoring me lately. What should I do?”

“He’s your teacher, and you’re only sixteen. You’re so forward, how can he respond to you?”

Annabel thought for a moment. “What should I do, then?”

“You need to take it step by step. Don’t keep pestering him. Do things he likes to get him to notice you.”

Annabel found this advice reasonable and stopped seeking out David constantly.

Mason’s band participated in a talent show, and seeing that Annabel was free, he had her act as a temporary assistant without pay. The competition, rehearsals, and studio sessions kept her busier than her schoolwork.

One night, after returning from a business trip, Thomas found Annabel not at home and realized she was with Mason again, which made him furious.

He scolded Brenna for this, leaving her in tears. Annabel always opposed her, so she couldn’t control her. Thomas understood his wife’s difficulty and refrained from further criticism.

Seizing the opportunity, Thomas asked Annabel, “Your foundation is weak, so you’re going to find a tutor to help you catch up. You told your grandmother the same thing, right?”

Annabel paused for a moment. “Okay.”

Logan couldn’t help but look at her, knowing what was coming. Sure enough, Annabel said seriously, “Mr. Curry’s classes are really good. Let him tutor me.”

Logan silently cursed her as a lovesick fool.

Thomas nodded. “Sure, ask him if he has time. Money is not an issue.”

Annabel, head down and seemingly casual, said, “I heard he doesn’t tutor students. Maybe it would seem more sincere if you called him yourself.”

Thomas, being a cunning old fox, knew what Annabel was up to. He smiled. “Alright, I’ll call him personally. But you must promise me to stay away from Mason and focus on your studies, deal?”

Annabel was thrilled inside but remained outwardly calm. “No problem. Studying can be fun sometimes.”

Thomas smiled but didn’t expose her intentions.

Thomas personally called David, who surprisingly refused. Thomas was a bit displeased that someone of his stature was turned down by a high school teacher. However, from another perspective, he felt more at ease entrusting Annabel to him.

He told Annabel the news, and her face was filled with disappointment. Thomas consoled her, “It’s okay, I’ve arranged another tutor for you.”

Annabel turned and went upstairs, her footsteps loud enough to be heard downstairs, showing her anger. Thomas shook his head, holding back his laughter.

The vacation days flew by, and before they knew it, the break was already halfway over.

One morning, David woke up early and went to the cemetery. It wasn’t a special day, but he had some free time and wanted to visit Lola.

She had been gone for four or five years. The initial pain had slowly healed over time, but the longing remained just as intense.

He sat there for a long time, talking about many things. When a light rain began to fall, he decided it was time to leave.

The long flight of steps stretched all the way to the entrance. Not far away, dark clouds loomed over the mountainside, casting an air of emptiness and desolation. A sense of melancholy washed over him as he turned to look in Lola’s direction, and he couldn’t help but freeze in his tracks.

There was a girl standing at the top of the stairs, wearing an oversized hoodie that made her look even more fragile in the wind. Her short hair was tucked behind her ear, revealing a delicate face. Was that Lola?

The illusion vanished in a second. Of course, he recognized the girl. It was Annabel, the student he had put so much effort into mentoring this semester. He wasn’t superstitious, but at that moment, he thought perhaps fate was something ordained by the heavens.

She seemed tired from standing and squatted down. Even in the rain, she didn’t seem to be leaving, pulling up the hood of her hoodie. That must be her mother. David couldn’t bring himself to leave her there.

“Annabel.”

On the ground lay a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of wine. Annabel turned at the sound of his voice, her face lighting up with unconcealed joy. She instinctively wanted to reach out and hold his arm but hesitated, thinking he might not like it. Instead, she just smiled at him, “David.”

Her face looked pale and bloodless, clearly showing she hadn’t rested well. “It’s raining. Let’s go home.”

Annabel didn’t respond, instead pointing to the photo on the tombstone and proudly saying, “This is my mom. Isn’t she beautiful?”

The photo was a bit old, but it was clear she had been a stunning beauty. The date on the tombstone indicated it had been ten years since her passing. Today was the anniversary, but why was Annabel the only one there?

“Yes, she’s beautiful.”

Annabel sighed deeply. “It’s a pity she had bad luck and married someone like my dad.”

David didn’t know how to comfort her. After a moment, he reached out and patted her head through her hood.

Annabel tilted her head to look at him. “When she left, I was still very young and didn’t understand what death meant. When I grew up, I got used to not having her around. I’m not sad anymore. But since she’s lying here all alone, I have to come visit.”

David looked a bit melancholic, which she thought was because he felt sad for her, so she changed the subject.

“Who did you come to see?”

“A friend.”

“What kind of friend?”

“A very good friend.”

She looked up at him, her face wet with rain. He took her hand. “It’s going to rain heavily. Let’s go.”

Annabel nodded in agreement. After taking a few steps, she pulled him back. She bent down and gently pressed her face against the tombstone, whispering something that he vaguely heard included his name.

“What did you say to your mom?”

She looked mysterious. “I’m not telling you.”

They walked down the stairs together as the rain intensified, pouring down in torrents. Annabel grabbed his hand and ran forward, a smile playing on her lips.

David felt a bit helplessness towards the girl who always seemed to find ways to get close to him of the situation. By the time they reached the administration building, both of them were drenched, but fortunately, it wasn’t cold.