Anneliese turned and looked at Nishay, who was slumped on the hospital bed, looking tired and worried.


    Nishay''s words had been earnest and heavy. There was truth in them.


    But...


    Jonathan had always been innocent. He never really did anything wrong.


    The only questionable thing he''d ever done was hide his identity when they first met.


    But even that wasn''t out of any bad intention.


    Whenever Anneliese thought about him, all she remembered was the way he always protected and supported her, as well as the endless patience he gave her...


    Even if he hid who he was, it was just because he was worried she''d refuse his help if she knew the truth.


    She couldn''t possibly turn around and me him for being deceitful after everything he''d done for her. That would just be selfish.


    Back when her grandma was dead set against their rtionship, she''d even thought about breaking up. She brought up the idea of taking a break.


    But the moment Jonathan disappeared, she was devastated and immediately regretted it.


    That''s when she realized she''d already fallen for him without even noticing.


    She didn''t want to just let him go and give up without a fight.


    Jonathan said what he felt for her wasn''t guilt or repayment. He said he knew exactly what true love was, and Anneliese chose to believe him.


    As for all that stuff her grandmother said about family status and outside opinions, she was willing to face them with Jonathan.


    After all, she''d dealt with plenty of rumors in her life already.


    She''d stopped caring so much about what people thought a long time ago.


    When she''d been with Zacharias, all the drama and finger-pointing left her feel unworthy and insecure. She always felt like she didn''t deserve him.


    She bent over backwards and swallowed her pride, thinking it would buy her a stable marriage, only to find out it was all a lie in the end.


    She would never make that mistake again!


    Jonathan''s every action told her she was worthy and enough.


    He had been the one helping her rediscover herself and be her best self.


    Her grandma might think she didn''t measure up to Jonathan, but she didn''t want his money or status. She was just as good as anyone else.


    He was the kind of partner who helped her learn to love herself.


    So far, Jonathan hadn''t let her down, and she wanted to do right by him, too.


    And if one day, he did hurt her or disappoint her, she was sure she''d have the courage to start over.


    Like Jessica said, she was only 23 years old. She had plenty of time to make mistakes.


    If she did end up divorcing Jonathan, maybe she''d even


    vel


    be the richest woman around thanks to a settlement What did she have to fear?


    Of course, these were all things she could never say to Nishay.


    For one, she''d already told her grandma she and Jonathan had broken up. She couldn''t tell if Nishay was baiting her to admit the truthy and then would blow up at her.


    And even if she tried to exin now, Nishay wouldn''t listen.


    So Anneliese simply walked back to the bed, gently took her grandma''s thin, cold hand, and tucked it under the nket.


    She said softly, "Grandma, I hear you. I''ll really think about what you said. I''m not mad at you, I promise. You have to promise me you''ll take care of yourself, too and stop


    worrying so much."


    If she had gotten emotional and argued, Nishay would have worried she hadn''t listened at all.


    But seeing Anneliese stay so calm and say she''d think it over, Nishay finally rxed a little.


    She nodded. "As long as you understand how much I care."


    After leaving the hospital, Anneliese returned to Maple Bay, packed up two suitcases, and wheeled them to the door.


    "Meatloaf? Come on out."


    She called out, but Meatloaf seemed to know something was up. She crouched inside the door, refusing toe out.


    Anneliese turned and called again, but Meatloaf went from crouching to lying down, tucking her head in.


    She clearly wasn''t going anywhere.


    "Meatloaf,e on. If you keep this up, I''ll leave without you."


    She tugged on her leash, and finally Meatloaf lifted her head and gave her two low whimpers.


    She looked just like a kid with divorced parents. She was scared that leaving home meant nevering back.


    Anneliese suddenly felt her eyes sting. She set her suitcase down, crouched beside her, and patted her head.


    She murmured, "We''re only leaving for a little while. I''m not really breaking up with him."


    Of course, Meatloaf couldn''t understand. Instead, she bit Anneliese''s pants leg and pulled back, as if trying to drag her back inside.


    She might be an old dog, but she still had plenty of strength.