He leaned back against the headboard. "Didn''t get much sleepst night. I''m


    exhausted. Be a good wife and grab me something to wear while I make a quick call."


    Anneliese gave him a mock salute, shing a grin before running into the walk-in closet.


    She picked out a crisp shirt, a pair of cks, and his favorite watch. When she came back, Jonathan was still lounging against the bedframe, one leg crossed over the other, phone to his ear.


    "Check whether the builders cut corners when constructing that vi."


    He spotted her in the doorway and ended the call quickly.


    "As soon as possible," he said before hanging up.


    Anneliese had caught enough to know he was already looking into the cause of the fire.


    She walked over and set his clothes on the bed. "Want me to help you get dressed?"


    Jonathan''s lips curved in amusement. "Go wash up. You can help me with my tie after."


    His reminder made Anneliese realize she hadn''t even brushed her teeth yet. He''d kissed her half a dozen times that morning, and she hadn''t freshened up once.


    She gave him a teasing re before darting into the bathroom, the sound of her quick footsteps echoing on the floor.


    They shared breakfast afterward. Margot''s cooking was simple but vorful, the kind that tasted warm andforting.


    When they finished, Margot appeared with two insted food containers in her hands.


    "Ma''am, this one''s for Nishay," she said. "It''s got chicken breast with greens and assorted mushrooms. They''re great for heart health, and I kept the oil and salt light. The pink container''s for Ms. Sweeting. I made seafood. The seafood''s chopped fine —it''s good for both her and the baby."


    Anneliese blinked. She hadn''t told Margot to prepare any of that.


    Her eyes shifted to Jonathan, but he said nothing. He just reached over and picked up the containers.


    Beside them, Alice smiled warmly. "Mr. Fullbuster told me early this morning to have everything ready. It was short notice, but I''ll make something fancier next time. Don''t ever feel shy about asking for anything, ma''am. The sry he gives me is more than generous, and he even helped my grandson get into school."


    Anneliese had only met Alicest night and still felt awkward about giving orders.


    Jonathan, however, clearly knew she''d be visiting Jessica and Nishay today. He''d already arranged everything for her.


    "Thank you," Anneliese said with a smile. "It''s already wonderful."


    She slipped her arm through Jonathan''s, and they walked out together.


    Alice watched them leave, her heart softening at the sight.


    Ah, young love, she thought. So sweet it could rot your teeth.


    Even she felt younger just looking at them.


    Their first stop was Jessica''s room.


    After a full night of rest, Jessica looked much better. Her face had color again, though the doctor bad


    told her to stay in bed for two more days.


    When Anneliese entered, Jessica was sitting up, scrolling through nastyments


    about Zacharias and liking each one with visible satisfaction.


    She was also browsing information about studying abroad on her phone.


    When she leaned forward to peek at the food Anneliese brought, she carelessly set her phone on the bed.


    As Anneliese poured soup into a bowl for her, Jonathan asked in his


    usurat cameronanathan asked in Ins


    usual calm tone. So you''re nning to go abroad and not tell Zane about the baby?"


    Jessica froze, then turned to re at Anneliese, who quickly lifted her hands.


    "Don''t look at me. I didn''t tell him anything."


    Jonathan tilted his head toward the glowing phone on the sheets. That''s when


    Jessica realized she''d been caught by her own screen.


    Her shoulders slumped. His perception was too sharp.


    She picked up her phone and gave him an embarrassed grin.


    "I''m six months older than Anne. Either way, that kind of makes you my brother-in-


    Jonathan''s lips twitched in quiet amusement. He didn''t mind the title one bit.


    He and Zane were friends, but their lives were too hectic. They rarely met and never bothered to pry into each other''s rtionships.


    Jonathan didn''t really know how things had begun between Zane and Jessica, or what their rtionship had been like.


    He didn''t n on digging into it either.


    But seeing Jessica determined to walk away while pregnant, he felt obligated to speak up as Zane''s friend.


    "The Shaymans don''t have many heirs. Zane only has one brother. If there''s a child, they''ll acknowledge it. Are you sure this is what you want?"


    Jessica didn''t flinch. She smiled and nodded.


    "I''ve thought about it carefully. I


    apprecia


    the concern, but I refuse


    to live my life branded as a woman who used her child to climb thedder.


    "If you tell Zane and I end up having to stay with him just to keep the baby, then I''ll have no choice but to end the pregnancy."


    Her voice stayed steady, her eyes clear. She wasn''t bluffing. She meant every word.


    The Shaymans wanted someone like Gianna for a daughter-inw.


    They cared more about money and status than character or love.