Jonathan always kept his feelings locked up, the quiet type who never said, "I love you."


    So, was there any love at all? Anneliese used to avoid that questionpletely.


    And after finding out that he was the same boy Frederick dragged out of the mes years ago, her answer felt even blurrier instead of clear. Yet, Jessica insisted, telling her, ''He''s crazy about you. It''s all you for him.''


    Those words hit Anneliese''s chest like a punch. Her heart suddenly forgot how to beat right. She snapped out of it, eased her hands out of Jessica''s grip, acting like it was no big deal. "Yeah, I hear you. I''m gonna see Grandma."


    Without hesitating, she tossed off the covers, got up, and headed for the door. Jessica stared at her leaving, made a small shrug, and wandered after her.


    As soon as Anneliese stepped into the hallway, she realized she wasn''t alone.


    Jonathan stood by the big window in the living room, half-undone from the day. The suit jacket was tossed somewhere, his silk shirt open at the neck, two buttons undone like he''d given up trying to look proper.


    His tie looked like it had been yanked off carelessly, and a bit of his corbone showed.


    His sleeves were pushed up in a messy roll, showing slim, toned forearms. A cigarette rested between his fingers, glowing faintly. When he shifted his head toward the sound of her footsteps, a wave of smoke drifted across his face, blurring his expression like a smudged painting.


    She couldn''t read his mood at all. Still, she felt his attention hit her-direct, heavy, and impossible to ignore. Her feet forgot how to move. Without a word, he flicked the cigarette out and closed the distance between them in a few long strides.


    "What''s going on?" His voice had dropped, calm and quiet, but clearly worried.


    Up close, he noticed she didn''t look as drained as before. Her cheeks held a touch of color now, not the scary pale she''d been earlier.


    At the sight of that, his lips rxed just a little.


    She tossed him a quick nce, already turning away. "I''m gonna check on Grandma. That''s all." Brushing past him as she headed for the other room, she noticed the smell clung to the air around him-heavy smoke, like he''d been at it for a while, not just one drag.


    It made her slow for half a second.


    Then, she turned her head just enough to make ament. "Maybe ease up on the smoking, will you?"


    She kept walking after throwing the line, but her wrist got snatched in one quick pull. She didn''t even get a chance to resist. When she looked up at him again, his grip tightened just enough, and suddenly she was yanked into his chest, like he''d been waiting for an excuse to do it.


    His mouth lifted into a slow, satisfied half-smile—too amused, too pleased—and his eyes glimmered like he''d just uncovered a secret she didn''t mean to show. "What''s this?" he teased, voice warm. "Afraid I''m gonna wreck my health?"


    He looked at her like he could see every excuse she was trying to hide. The kind of stare that made her ears heat up for no good reason.


    "It''s not like I''m looking out for you," she muttered, trying to sound casual. "I just don''t want to breathe that stuff in. And Jess'' pregnant, so she shouldn''t be stuck around it either."


    Her tone sounded tough, but it was clearly a dodge. Instead of arguing, Jonathan acted as if she''d made a perfectly reasonable statement. His voice stayed calm, almostzy. "Fair. But who gave you the right to boss me around?"


    She went silent.


    Her mind also wentpletely nk. Of course, he would pick that part. Herck of an answer clearly entertained him. The smile on his lips deepened, and he bent down just enough that their foreheads lightly bumped together-close enough to feel his breath when he spoke.


    "I''m picky about who I take orders from," he murmured quietly. "Only my wife gets that privilege."


    Wife... The word came out warm, carrying that faint aftertaste of cigarettes-bitter, but strangely clean at the edges. As he leaned in, it felt less like he was closing the distance and more like he was testing whether she''d let him.


    He was careful—soft steps, steady approach. And Anneliese didn''t flinch or recoil this time. She just let the moment exist. And that tiny bit of cooperation was enough to make his pulse spark with excitement.


    His lips tilted forward, inches from hers, ready to steal the smallest bit of closeness. Then she pivoted so fast his breath caught nothing but air.


    "I''m going to check on Grandma." She shot out the line like an excuse she''d rehearsed, nudged him aside in one swift movement, and practically dove for safety behind Nishay''s door-mming the chance shut with it.


    Jonathan watched her bolt for cover like someone escaping a fire drill, and whatever smile he''d been


    wearing faded bit by bit until it was gone. Only then did he notice he had an audience. Jessica lounged against the bedroom doorway, arms crossed, expression saying she''d seen the whole show.


    Remembering how Anneliese''s mood had noticeably brightened, he acknowledged her with a short nod. "Appreciate it."


    Jessica pushed herself off the frame and sauntered over, hands stuffed in her pockets. "Funny. You''re already thanking me? Already assuming I was out there advertising you?"


    His expression flicked with mild amusement, "So you did talk me up? I''m ttered."


    That threw her for a second. "That''s not what you meant?"


    He shook his head, unfazed. "No. I meant you stayed with her. It helped. She doesn''t look nearly as weighed down as before."


    She let out a smallugh, almost teasing. "So that''s all? If you''re thanking me for that, then we''re even. When I''m falling apart, Annie sits with me too. If we''re talking about who ranks higher around her, you might not be at the top of the list."


    Jonathan''s expression didn''t crack, but something in his eyes went dull, as if the lights dimmed a notch. His reply came out quiet, dry with a hint of irony. "Wouldn''t be surprised. All she sees in me now is something she wants to get away from..."


    He didn''t look depressed, not exactly. But for a man who always projected self- control, that small spark of doubt was jarring. Jessica hadn''t expected it; her yful jab suddenly felt like a punch.


    She waved her hands, rushing to undo the damage. "Hey, don''t twist it like that. She just needs space."


    Words tumbled


    out faster than she


    meant them to. "Her biggest


    hang-up is her grandma. She doesn''t


    want to upset her. And on top of that, she''s convinced you''re only with her to settle some old debt sympathy, quilt trying to pay. something back... she got stuck on that idea and won''t let it go."