"Open the door!" Jonathan''s voice was deep.


    "I''m taking a shower." Anneliese''s muffled voice sounded.


    Jonathan cut her off immediately, not believing a single word.


    "Should I kick the door open, or should I go ask your grandma myself? You get two seconds to choose. Two..."


    Soon, the bathroom door opened in front of him. Anneliese''s figure shed past.


    Jonathan pushed the door open and grabbed her wrist.


    Anneliese lowered her head, and her long hair draped down. The bathroom was dimly lit, so he couldn''t see her face.


    She tugged her hand and said, "What are you doing? I forgot to wash up this morning. I was going to wash my face. Let me go."


    How could Jonathan not see through her cover-up? He pulled her in front of him and carefully lifted her chin.


    Anneliese couldn''t avoid him. Her small face-marked with a clear handprint-was forced into his line of sight.


    In that split second, Jonathan''s eyes were filled with deep regret, and his expression went cold. Jonathan felt his heart ache as he looked at the bright red handprint on her cheek.


    If it had been anyone else, he would''ve broken their hand on the spot. However, the one who struck her was the only family Anneliese cared for. Moreover, Nishay was Frederick''s mother-inw; he couldn''t bring himself to hold any resentment toward her, not when Anneliese treasured her so much.


    A fire he couldn''t vent burned fiercely inside him.


    His gaze was too deep, and Anneliese couldn''t handle it. She didn''t want him staring at her in such a pathetic state. Hence, she pushed him and tried to turn away.


    However, Jonathan tightened his grip on her chin, tilting her head up higher.


    The next second, an extremely cool breath brushed against the burning skin of her cheek.


    Anneliese''s eyshes trembled. She didn''t move and allowed him to childishly- and yet tenderly-blow on the swollen spot. Without noticing, her fingers clenched her clothes, hershes fluttering as waves of grievance surged up again.


    Although she had calmed herself moments ago, her emotions rose again.


    After blowing for a long while, Jonathan looked at her reddened eyes and said hoarsely. "I''m sorry. It''s my fault." His expression was grim, but his voice was filled with apology.


    After all, Jonathan had promised himself that he wouldn''t let her suffer even the slightest grievance once he was with her. Yet, because of him, she ended up hurt and had such a terrible New Year.


    He had failed to handle things


    properly. Initially, he had nned to slowly approach Nishay before their rtionship became public te wanted to let Nishay let go of the past and reduce her hostility toward him. That way, it would be easier to discuss his rtionship with Anneliese with Nishay.


    However, Nishay suddenly had a heart attack and was brought to Oceaton for surgery, which ruined


    his n. He didn''t do approach her


    as he was afraid of triggering her condition. Yet, everything was exposed to Nishay in the worst possible way. Content bétongs


    It was the worst-case scenario.


    "Don''t cry, okay? When you cry, I feel like stabbing myself..."


    Just as Jonathan was drowning in self-me, Anneliese''s tears silently fell.


    At that moment, hisposure vanished. Panic and helplessness filled his face,


    and he gently stroked the corner of her eyes, coaxing her softly while cing kisses along her tear-streaked cheeks.


    His lips were filled with the salty taste of her tears. Jonathan felt his heart aching bitterly.


    Anneliese said nothing, but the tears just wouldn''t stop.


    Jonathan lifted her by the waist and ced her on the sink. He kissed her and asked, "Don''t cry. Does it hurt a lot? Are you hurt anywhere else? Tell me please Im sorry, baby. If you''re upset, hit me or scold me. Just don''t cry, okay?"


    In that split second, Jonathan hated himself for being so clumsy with words. He had


    no experience coaxing women. Thus, all he could say over and over was "don''t cry," and he didn''t know what else to do tofort her.


    Seeing Anneliese still crying nonstop, Jonathan panicked. Then, he said, "I''ll go talk to Grandma again."


    He was furious. He felt that Nishay should have taken her anger on him instead of Anneliese. He knew Anneliese must have disobeyed Nishay to provoke that p.