A selfish, shadowed thought sneaked out before Jonathan could stop it.


    If only Anneliese had carried their child earlier, perhaps he would have had more leverage now.


    A crooked, self-mocking smile twisted his lips.


    He chuckled quietly at himself, picturing a child as the key to keeping Anneliese by his side forever.


    The bedroom door swung open, and Meatloaf barreled in, excitement radiating from every paw.


    Anneliese sat on the bed, absent-mindedly tracing the frayed edges of her adoptive father''s shoulder badge.


    Meatloaf pressed his enormous, furry head into her arms. His paws clung to the bed''s edge, tongue lolling, tail swishing energetically.


    She looked down at him and lifted a hand to smooth his clumsy, affectionate head. "I''m okay, Meatloaf," she murmured.


    Her fingers ruffled his fur, and a memory surfaced Meatloaf had been a gift from Jonathan back then.


    When he had first arrived, he broughtughter and warmth to her and her grandma. Over time, he had be family. Through her joys and sorrows, he had never left her side.


    And all of it hade from Jonathan.


    A flicker of warmth stirred in Anneliese''s chest, quiet and ndestine.


    "What''s wrong? Are you smitten and nning to marry Meatloaf instead?"


    Jessica''s teasing tone broke the moment, and she slid onto the bed beside her.


    Anneliese shot her a sharp look. "Stop saying nonsense."


    "Then why are you gazing at Meatloaf like he''s your one true love?"


    Anneliese blinked. Do I look that in love when I''m staring?


    Her heart skipped. Deep down, she already knew whom she truly thought of while looking at him.


    Seeing her fall silent again, Jessica rubbed her forehead, pinched the loose skin at Meatloaf''s neck, and nudged him aside. She sat cross-legged at the bed''s edge, her gaze fixed on Anneliese.


    "Your eyes are red from crying. Do you want to talk about it?"


    Anneliese handed over the half-badge she had been holding.


    "What''s this?" Jessica turned it over, and upon seeing the stitched name and blood


    type, her hand trembled. Her face went solemn immediately.


    "This belonged to your dad? Why do you have it?" She stared at Anneliese,


    shocked, then carefully returned the badge.


    Anneliese met her eyes, needing to spill everything.


    "Jonathan gave it to me."


    "What? How could Mr. ude''s badge..."


    Jessica froze, bewildered. Then pieces of today''s strange moments clicked-the


    way Jonathan treated Anneliese. Her eyes widened.


    "Wait... Jonathan is the boy Mr. ude rescued from the fire?"


    Anneliese nodded, and Jessica''s jaw dropped for a long beat before she exhaled slowly.


    "No wonder he''s always so good to you..."


    Anneliese clutched the badge. Her voice was rough. "So you think he treats me well just because my dad saved him That he feels quitty for what happened to my family


    Jessica jumped, waving her hands frantically. "No, that''s not what I meant! Did he say that? Did you ask him? Don''t make up terrible stories in your head."


    Anneliese offered a thin, crooked smile. "It''s not entirely made up. You literally just said the same thing."


    Jessica smacked her own mouth. "I was rambling! What I mean is he treats you well because fate tied you together over ten years ago.


    "Sure, part of it may be what happened back then. But he''s the Fullbuster heir. If he wanted to repay a debt there were a thousand easier ways. Why risk his marriage and his entire life? His family even offered money back then, right?


    "Ms. Morris, refused it and donated it all to Mr. ude''s fire department. That debt was settled. He married you because he genuinely felt for


    you. End of story


    Anneliese lowered her gaze. "My dad was just doing his duty. He doesn''t need anyone repaying him."


    Jessica held her hand gently. "So what really bothers you is whether his feelings are genuine, isn''t it?"


    Anneliese''s fingers curled around Jessica''s, as if her words struck directly at her heart.


    Is this really what I care about the most?


    She frowned. "Grandma reacted so strongly. She won''t let us be together."


    Jessica studied her restless, tangled expression and pressed further, clearly and directly.


    "Ms. Morris'' approval is one thing. The real question is you. Can you ept him? Do you resent him?"


    The one building a life with Jonathan would be Anneliese-not her grandma.