Wendy nodded thoughtfully, her expression earnest. "I felt a strong connection with her. Anneliese really needs a couple more days of rest in bed. If you''re okay with it, why not let her stay here to recuperate?"


    She knew that if Jonathan took Anneliese back home, the atmosphere within the Fullbuster household would be anything but tranquil.


    Wendy''s mind raced with the implications. Anneliese was hardly in a fit state to celebrate the New Year at Jonathan''s ce, not in her current condition.


    Though she was an outsider in this delicate situation, the words tumbled out before she could rein them in. It was as if her exhaustion had stripped her of the usual boundaries she maintained.


    Jonathan turned to her, surprise flickering across his face. "Thank you, Madam Chalmont. However, it wouldn''t be appropriate for me to impose on your New Year festivities. I appreciate your concern, but I''ll take care of her myself."


    Wendy scrutinized him closely. His brows were furrowed just enough to indicate deep thought, his gaze unwavering, and his tone was calm and self-assured.


    He was truly remarkable—soposed and deliberate in his demeanor. Observing him like this made Wendy question whether she had been overthinking the whole matter.


    After all, she and Adrian were not Anneliese and Jonathan.


    As she took in the firmness and steadiness in Jonathan''s expression, Wendy felt her worries begin to dissipate, reced by a soft smile.


    "I actually prepared a little gift for you to celebrate your marriage. May your bond grow stronger with each passing year, and may you share a lifetime filled with joy together."


    With that, she retrieved a beautifully carved sandalwood box from the low cab, its surface smooth and warm to the touch, and handed it to him with a flourish.


    Jonathan''s lips curled into a faint yet gracious smile as he epted the gift without hesitation. “Then I won''t stand on ceremony. My wife will adore this. Thank you, Madam Chalmont."


    As he thought of his mother, who had been a constant source of trouble for Anneliese, Jonathan couldn''t help but cast a sideways nce at Wendy, feeling a twinge of envy towards Steven.


    Steven may not have had aplete family either, but at least he had a dependable mother and a sweet, charming daughter. If only he and Anneliese could have a daughter, too—she would surely be beautiful and irresistibly adorable.


    The thought made Steven seem enviable. But then Jonathan remembered Steven had no wife.


    Meanwhile, he had the love of his life, a wife he cherished beyond measure. Any jealousy he felt evaporated as quickly as it had surfaced.


    Once again, the reality of having a wife seemed to solve everything.


    "Madam Chalmont, the pumpkin oatmeal is ready. Should I take it upstairs for thedy now?"


    A housemaid appeared at the parlor door, a tray bnced delicately in her hands, her voice polite and respectful.


    Wendy turned to Jonathan, her concern evident. "Make sure she eats something. She just threw up everything in her stomach."


    Jonathan nodded, gratitude swelling within him for Wendy''s thoughtfulness. He rose from his seat, ready to go.


    At that moment, a yellowed sheet slipped from Wendy''s hand and fluttered to the floor at his feet. He recognized it instantly as the old hospital form she had been holding.


    Curiosity piqued, he bent down to retrieve it and handed it back to her. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was a prenatal checkup form.


    Wendy''s name was printed on it, and the gestational age noted was 31 weeks. Judging by the date, it must have been from her pregnancy with Gianna.


    She smiled softly as she epted it. "This is the prenatal form from when I was expecting my daughter."


    With a gentle, absentminded gesture, she rubbed the paper, as if brushing away dust that couldn''t possibly exist, then folded it with care and tucked it into her pocket.


    Jonathan nodded, a quiet understanding passing between them, but something nagged at the back of his mind. The creases and frayed edges suggested this paper had been cherished for years.


    Gianna lived re, yet Wendy treated the prenatal form like a precious keepsake, holding it close with a wistful look in her eyes. At first, it didn''t quite make sense to him.


    He chose not to press the issue. Instead, he took the tray from the maid, determined


    to see to Anneliese''s needs himself.


    As he made his way upstairs, he couldn''t shake the feeling that Anneliese was starving. After a


    period of rest-perhaps the


    medication had finally begun to take


    effect-herdizziness and nausea had lessened.


    The pumpkin oatmeal Wendy had requested wafted a warm, velvety aroma, filling the air withfort. Several small, light dishes were artfull arranged on delicate


    porcin tes apanied by fresh fruit that looked bright and inviting.


    Jonathan helped Anneliese eat, ensuring she was mostly full before he paused, concerned that too much at once might upset her stomach again.


    With her stomach finally settled, Anneliese felt a wave of relief wash over her. She called Nishay, her voice soothing as she spoke to her friend for a while, before finally lying down to rest again.


    When she awoke, the soft light of dawn filtered through the window, revealing that an entire night had slipped by.


    She barely stirred before a familiar voice brushed softly against her ear.


    "How are you feeling now?"


    It was then she noticed the warmth of the man beside her.


    He usually held her close when they slept, but tonight he had evidently been careful not to disturb her. Hey properly on his side of the beds So cautious that she hadn''t realized he was there at first.