Anneliese felt a wave of relief wash over her, the heaviness in her limbs slowly lifting. She wanted to adjust her position, to find a morefortable way to lie.


    As soon as she began to stir, the man beside her reacted instinctively, leaning in closer, his arm sliding effortlessly beneath her neck in a protective embrace. His voice, low and soothing, wrapped around her like a warm nket.


    "Don''t move too much. You''ll irritate the wound at the back of your head. I''ll help you," he urged gently.


    His broad, reassuring palm shielded the sensitive area at the nape of her neck as he carefully maneuvered her onto her side, ensuring herfort.


    In that moment, Anneliese felt like a fragile doll, delicately positioned ording to someone else''s desires. A small, involuntary smile danced on her lips, a flicker of joy amidst the uncertainty.


    "I feel much better. Where are we?" she asked, her curiosity piqued as she nced around the unfamiliar surroundings. The vi, though strange, bore an uncanny resemnce to Jonathan''s bedroom at Maple Bay, the decor striking a chord of familiarity deep within her.


    A tight knot formed in her chest as the realization hit her. Has Jonathan brought me back to the Fullbuster Residence while I was asleep?


    This was her first time stepping into this ce, and she couldn''t shake the self- consciousness that enveloped her. She felt disheveled, exposed, like a flower out of


    season.


    Noticing the fleeting panic that flickered across her face, Jonathan immediately recognized her unease. He wrapped her securely in his arms, pulling her close.


    "This is my ce in Halden-Oand Residence. How about we spend the day alone, just the two of us?" he proposed, his voice a soft melody in the quiet room. She released a gentle exhale, her body rxing under the weight of his words.


    "I nearly jumped out of my skin,” she admitted, cing a hand over her heart as a wave of relief washed over her, soothing her frayed nerves.


    Jonathan chuckled softly, his gaze warm as he looked down at her. "Are you really that afraid toe home with me?"


    She blinked up at him, her thoughts swirling like autumn leaves. "Yes. I''m not ready yet."


    She couldn''t shake the apprehension that bubbled within her. Jonathan''s grandfather and father were likely nothing like Penelope. They probably didn''t envision her as the ideal granddaughter-inw or daughter-inw.


    Moreover, with the holidays approaching, Elizabeth might also be home, adding anotheryer of anxiety to the mix.


    Thest encounter with Elizabeth had left a bitter taste in her mouth. Anneliese hadn''t experienced any significant loss then, but the difort of their interaction still lingered. She wanted to sidestep any potential conflict.


    "Rx. I''m here. No one can touch you. But if you truly don''t want to go back, I won''t force you,” Jonathan reassured her, his fingers gently stroking her long hair, a tender gesture that made her heart flutter.


    She lifted her gaze to meet his, searching for understanding. “But I ended up in Halden anyway. If I don''t stop by to say hello, won''t your family be upset when they find out?"


    A small, knowing smile crept onto Jonathan''s lips. “You care a lot about their feelings and opinions?"


    She shot him a pointed look, her


    resolve firm. Of course. They''re your family. Marriage isn''t just about us it''s the merging of two families i your family doesn''t ept me, we won''tst. And you-don''t forget, you need my grandma''s approval as well."


    In her youth, she had been a naive girl, believing that love and marriage revolved


    solely around the couple. She had thought that affection alone would suffice.


    But after enduring the relentless


    torment from Zacharias'' mother and sister-countless moments of swallowing her pride only to be met with humiliation he knew better now. To think otherwise would be foolish.


    Jonathan listened intently, his expression darkening as he absorbed her words. "Anne, if I couldn''t win your grandma''s approval, would you leave me?"


    Without a moment''s hesitation, she nodded firmly. "Of course I would. Grandma is my most important family. So when you meet her, you''d better bring your A-game."


    She had unwavering faith that Jonathan would leave asting impression on her grandmother.


    To her, it seemed inconceivable that he could fail—he was perfect in every way, and her grandmother had an exquisite taste that would surely recognize his worth.


    Yet, Jonathan''s breath hitched at her resolute answer, a rough edge scraping against his throat.


    "Baby, what if no matter what I do, your grandma still doesn''t like me?" he asked, pressing his chin gently against the top of her head, a hint of uncertainty creeping into his voice for the first time.


    Anneliese had never heard him speak with such vulnerability before. Taken aback, she looked up at him, her heart racing.


    "You''re Jonathan Fullbuster-the famous, unstoppable man. You can''t be doubting yourself. Rx. My grandma is very easygoing," she reassured him, trying to infuse her words with confidence.


    But her attempts atfort seemed to bounce off him, his arms tightening around her as if to shield her from the world. “No. You have to promise me you won''t leave me. No matter what."


    He buried his handsome face in the crook of her neck, cing soft, tender kisses against her warm skin, igniting a warmth that spread through her entire being.


    Anneliese almostughed, realizing that Jonathan was being intentionally clingy, using his charm to coax her into submission.


    He nuzzled her so thoroughly that her skin tingled, and with a helpless little sigh, she surrendered. "Okay, okay. I promise."


    Only then did he lift his head, his deep, searching gaze locking with hers. "Remember what you said."


    They lingered in bed for another half hour, wrapped in each other''s warmth, before finally rising to the day. During breakfast, Zion. arrived to update Jonathan on


    Tothy and the others, buel


    new wave of reality crashing in.