Chapter 6

Later, Theo told me back then, he was at a loss. The little wildcat's sharp claws were intriguing, but when she hid them and showed vulnerability, it made his heart inexplicably nervous.

When I received the prize money, Theo took me back to Oakridge. I placed the newspaper-wrapped 30,000 yuan in front of Grandma. She was shocked at the amount, then stuffed it back into my school bag. "Fiona, Grandma has money. You need it more at the Lewis family."

"Grandma, keep it! I'll earn more in the future! Right, third brother?"

Theo smiled warmly. "Yes, Grandma, it's Fiona's hard-earned reward from winning the piano competition."

On the way back, I was in high spirits. I hopped all the way from the Seaside City riverside to the Lewis family mansion because I realized I could earn money without relying on them. I'd really grown some skills.

A whole 30,000 yuan! If I participated in more competitions, I could soon save enough for Grandma's kidney transplant.

After I taught Cora a lesson, she never troubled me again. She even awkwardly asked if I had piano lessons and if I needed dinner saved for me.

The young girl entering puberty started showing some softness. The future held a bit of hope.

Lost in my happy thoughts, I didn't notice and missed a step. Theo caught me.

His angelic face was only eight inches away from mine. My heart pounded wildly in my chest.

The unfamiliar sensation scared me, and I pushed him away. But as soon as my foot hit the ground, a sharp pain shot through me. I fell.

Theo frowned, lifted my ankle, and said, "How old are you? How can you sprain your foot on a road like this?"

He knelt, scolding me while carefully removing my sock and gently massaging my ankle. "Bear with it, don't cry, it will get better."

The skin on my ankle inexplicably heated. I stared blankly at the top of his head and his slightly red ears.

A girl's heart fluttered like cherry blossoms in March, disturbing the spring water.

Before I could think, the confession slipped out. "Third brother, I like you."

He rolled his eyes. "Young girl, what do you know about liking?"

Liking doesn't have an age limit. I was certain of my feelings at that moment.

I'm not a reserved girl. If I like someone, I'll say it.

At first, he treated it as a joke. Later, he looked at me helplessly. "Fiona, I'm eight years older than you. You're young and don't understand real liking."

Again with the age thing. I began to compete with him over this.

That year on my birthday, Theo asked what I wished for. I lay on the table, grinning at him. "I wish the third brother would like me too."

He facepalmed speechlessly.

Every birthday after that, I would ask him, "Third brother, I'm a year older now. Can you like me?"

His silence grew longer each year, but his refusal remained unchanged. "Fiona, you're still young."

I didn't mind and blew out the candles, going about my business. I'd grow up someday.

By the sixth year, I no longer needed to confess.