She stared at him and thought about how he had turned down her invitations to visit her grandma again and again. Her lips parted.


    "I''m not trying to send you away. I really hate to see you leave. When I think about being apart for many days, I''m scared I won''t be able to stop myself from wanting you to stay. Why don''t youe up with me? You can wish my grandma a happy New Year before you go."


    As she spoke, Anneliese held Jonathan''s hand and tried to lead him toward the elevator.


    But she could not move him at all.


    His feet felt rooted to the ground. Anneliese turned back to look at him.


    Jonathan suddenly pulled her into his arms. He held her tight, pressed her face against his chest, and lowered his head to kiss the top of her hair.


    "Baby, I''m sorry. I still can''t go up."


    Anneliese lifted her head. "Why?"


    His handnded on the back of her neck and pressed her face back against his chest.


    Anneliese bit down on her lip. The light in her eyes faded.


    He did not dare look at her now.


    Jonathan rested his chin against her forehead and spoke in a soft voice.


    "Today was too rushed. I didn''t even have time to prepare a gift for your grandma. I''ll go with you next time when I''m fully ready."


    His words sounded reasonable. Anneliese closed her eyes and tried to hide the sting in them.


    She thought that even a man like Jonathan told a lie in a way that felt clumsy and easy to see through.


    Her heart settled heavily. It felt like something quiet had shifted inside her.


    She pushed him. "Okay. I''m going up then."


    Jonathan still did not let go. "Let me hold you a little longer."


    His clean scent filled her nose. His arms were warm and broad, and she knew them well.


    But Anneliese could not feel what she used to feel.


    Her hands hung at her sides. "After the holiday, what day are youing back?"


    Jonathan heard her ask about his return. In his mind, she still cared and did not want to be apart from him.


    A small smile showed in his eyes. The nervous feeling he had before faded.


    He let go of her and bent down a little to look at her. "I''ll be back by the third at thetest. Wait for me?"


    "Okay."


    When the time came, she nned to talk things through with him.


    Jonathan touched her hair before he turned away.


    The driver walked over with a bag. Jonathan took it and handed it to Anneliese.


    "These are the gifts from my grandparents and the other elders."


    He had epted them for her. He had nned to show them to her.


    But she had not seemed well the entire ride.


    Anneliese looked at the bag. The red gift bag was full and puffed up.


    There were small boxes inside. It was clear there were many nice things.


    It seemed that even if the Fullbuster family did not like her much, they still prepared gifts for her because of Jonathan.


    These were things he had pushed for on her behalf. He said he would not let her eel wronged when she went home with him.


    He kept that promise, but the thing that hurt her the most also came from him.


    Anneliese did not take the bag. "My grandma is home. If I bring this back and she asks about it, I won''t


    how to answer. Keep it with you for now."


    Jonathan did not overthink it. He handed the bag back to the driver and nodded.


    "Alright. I''ll take it back to The Banyans. You can look through everything when you go home."


    "Okay."


    "I''m leaving then?" Jonathan let out a


    small sigh. He hated to go. He wanted to kiss her, but when he saw how pale she looked, he held himself


    back the only hugged her again


    before he got in the car


    Anneliese stood there as the car slowly drove out of the parking garage. Her vision


    turned blurry.


    "What''s going on between you and Mr. Fullbuster?"


    Inside the elevator, Jessica watched


    as Anneliese remained quiet. Her


    mind was clearly heavy wit


    thoughts. Jessica felt worried and


    spoke up.


    Anneliese lifted her head. She hesitated, then shook her head and gave a small smile.


    "There are some things I still don''t understand. I''ll talk to you in a few days."


    Jessica frowned.


    Something was really wrong.


    And judging from Anneliese''s serious look, it was not something small.


    She wanted to ask more, but since Anneliese didn''t want to talk, she remained quiet.


    She stepped forward and hugged Anneliese while patting her back.


    "Okay. Just remember that no matter what happens, I''m always here for you. I''ll always support you."


    Anneliese''s eyes turned wet right away.