She frowned, her gaze at Anneliese sharp with disdain, mockery, and suspicion- almost as if she saw a thief.
Seeing Anneliese remain silent, Elizabeth let out a cold snort.
"Didn''t you im you were hurt and could barely walk? Yet you''re sneaking around here. It''s your first time in someone else''s home, and you wander about. Good thing I saw you. Anyone else might think the Fullbuster family brought home a petty thief."
Anneliese loosened her grip on the doorknob and looked at Elizabeth.
"Mrs. Fullbuster, may I ask-what identity did Ie here with?"
Elizabeth saw Anneliese caught but unfazed, even daring to talk back. Her gaze sharpened.
"Heh, you think that just because you carry the title of the Fullbuster family''s granddaughter-inw, you can—"
Anneliese interrupted her. "Yes. Since you know I''m the granddaughter-inw, does that mean a granddaughter-inw isn''t allowed to simply walk around?
"Jonathan never said I must stay inside his bedroom. If you think it''s inappropriate for me to walk around, why don''t you call him here and ask him yourself?"
Elizabeth scoffed. "Don''t use Jojo to pressure me. That''s the only trick you seem to have."
Anneliese''s lips curved slightly. "A small trick is fine as long as it works."
Elizabeth seethed at Anneliese''s sharp tongue.
Her face darkened, but a sh of mockery and scorn appeared in her eyes.
"You really think my son loves you? Truly cherishes you? Heh. You''re so na?ve."
Anneliese knew Elizabeth disliked her, so nothing good woulde from her mouth.
Her head throbbed. She didn''t reply and turned back to the room.
I shouldn''t have run out so impulsively. It was reckless.
But before she took two steps, Elizabeth blocked her path.,,.,,
"You think I don''t know what you''re looking for? Follow me."
Elizabeth turned and walked ahead.
Anneliese hesitated, then followed.
...
Soon, Elizabeth stopped at a door at the end of the opposite corridor.
She stepped aside and gestured at Anneliese.
"It''s not locked. Everything you want to know is inside."
Her voice oozed mockery, certain that what waited inside would crush Anneliese.
Anneliese nced at her, then took the doorknob without much hesitation.
"You can open it if you want, but I''m afraid you don''t have the courage to face the truth," Elizabeth added.
Anneliese looked at her calmly. "Thanks for the reminder. Isn''t this exactly what you want to see?"
Then she twisted the knob and opened the door.
She didn''t want to live in confusion.
If Jonathan really does have someone he still can''t let go of...
Then, no matter how painful or ugly the truth is, I have to face it. I refuse to let it fester inside me like a wound.
The door swung open, and she saw everything inside.
A snow-white carpet. Exquisite
furniture
Romantic gauze curta
Shelves filled with delicate, cute
trinkets-things any girl would love
Jewelry hung on the vanity: earrings, nes, hair
essories-sparkling. A vase of fresh flowers graced the bedside table.
Clearly, this room was cleaned regrly. Someone kept adding new things.
Elizabeth''s next words confirmed her thoughts.
"This room-other than the maid who cleansit-Jojo wouldn''t let anyone else enter. For more than ten years, whenever he traveled or saw something he thought a girl would like, he brought it back and ced it here himself. Look how full the room is."
Full indeed. The room overflowed with ten years of Jonathan''s affection and longing for another girl.
Anneliese''s gaze drifted to therge framed photo on the wall opposite the door.
A young girl with a simple ponytail, wearing a white dress, smiling brightly under the sun. Beautiful. Radiant.
And she truly resembled Anneliese.
A chill crept along Anneliese''s fingertips. She didn''t step inside, sharply pulling the door shut.
She turned back. Elizabeth gave her a faint, mocking smile, as if to say, "See? Isn''t it pathetic?"