Nishay began to suspect that Anneliese had gone to extreme lengths to hide something—possibly because the man truly hadplications, like being married.


    Anneliese remained oblivious to the distant expression crossing Nishay''s face.


    Later that evening, she perched on her bed,ptop bnced over crossed legs, fingers dancing across the keys as if orchestrating a thousand drones tounch andplete their missions simultaneously.


    Suddenly, her phone on the desk rang, startling her.


    She nced at the screen out of the corner of her eye, and her hands froze midair. Her thoughts scattered.


    It was Jonathan.


    It was strange he had previously instructed her to reply via WhatsApp, yet after she did, he had gone silent. Now he was calling, seemingly just to wish her goodnight.


    A flush of nerves coursed through her, followed by a scoff at her own overreaction.


    She felt pathetic.


    She answered, voice hesitant. "It''ste, why are you-"


    Jonathan''s calm,manding tone cut her off.


    "Come downstairs."


    "What?" She blinked, confused for a moment.


    "I''m downstairs. Come on down."


    His words aligned perfectly with the suspicion that had just formed in her mind, and she wondered why he had suddenly returned.


    She snapped herptop shut, swung her legs off the bed, and approached the window to peer down.


    Night had settled deeply over the city, and even through the intricate festive decorations draping theplex, she couldn''t catch sight of him.


    "Okay, I''ll be down shortly."


    She threw on a jacket and quietly cracked open the bedroom door. Meatloaf padded over, hearing the movement. Anneliese crouched to rub the dog''s head.


    "Quiet now. Don''t wake Grandma or Jess. I''m heading out. Keep watch, alright?"


    Meatloaf wasn''t thrilled about herte-night excursion and followed her to the doorway.


    She slipped into her shoes and scratched behind his ears. "I''m going to meet Jonathan."


    The dog''s ears perked at the name, tail wagging uncontrobly, yet he remained seated.


    Anneliese hurried down the stairs. When the elevator doors opened, she stepped forward—and froze, confronted by a pair of dark, familiar eyes.


    He was there, imposing in a long gray cashmere coat draped over his suit, broad- shouldered, tall, exuding calm authority.


    He blocked her path. For a moment, the elevator seemed dimmer, smaller.


    She hadn''t expected him inside; she thought he''d be waiting outside. Her foot lifted, then dropped back in hesitation.


    Jonathan moved first, closing the gap as he stepped fully into the elevator.


    Instantly, the space felt cramped, the tension thick. She instinctively tried to retreat, but before she could


    even shift her weight, his arm snaked around her waist, pulling her forward.


    He held her with a deliberate force from the start—almost possessive.


    Her ribs ached beneath his grip; her nose pressed against him.


    He carried that familiar scent of deep, polished wood, now tinged with smoke.


    She remembered catching the faint


    smell of tobo twice before-once when Nishay''s ident had interrupted his trip, and once on the terrace the night of their confession, a cigar smoldering in his hand.


    So he smokes when he''s stressed and worn out. Clearly, he''s tense tonight.


    Did I make him feel this way?


    The thought twisted ufortably in Anneliese''s chest, and she tried to pull away. Jonathan sensed her struggle and released her-only to rece it immediately with a warm, firm hand at the nape of her neck. He leaned down and kissed her without hesitation.


    The intimacy felt rare, a closeness they hadn''t shared in a long time.


    The instant their lips met, an electric jolt surged through her; a soft, relieved breath escaped him.


    Then everything broke loose. He pressed closer, parted her lips, entangled his tongue with hers, taking more and more.


    "Mmph... don''t..."


    "I have something to... Mm... let go..."


    His face was cold from the winter air, but his mouth burned with intensity.


    Anneliese felt caught between fire and ice, energy draining fast. Her voice merged with his breath. His hands, relentless on her waist and at her neck, arched her back as she staggered two steps. He pinned her to the elevator wall, kissing her with an unyielding, insistent passion.