Even if they epted her because of the baby, what would they really think of her?


    They''d tolerate her, not respect her. And she knew that tolerance would one day turn into resentment.


    She had no interest in reliving that kind of life.


    She''d already spent enough years suffocated and controlled while she was with the Johnson family.


    If she stepped into another cage like that, she''d only end up despising herself.


    "Alright. I won''t say a word."


    Jonathan nodded, understanding her resolve.


    She had made herself clear. There was nothing left for him to argue.


    If he told Zane and she followed through on her threat, both Zane and Anneliese woulde after him.


    It wasn''t a position he wanted to be in.


    When he and Anneliese reached Nishay''s hospital room, she stopped abruptly and turned toward him.


    "What is it?" he asked, his gaze soft but questioning.


    Anneliese held out her hand. "Give me your hand."


    Jonathan looked down at her small, outstretched hand. A faint smile touched his lips as he ced his palm against hers.


    Anneliese''s fingers instantly closed around his, holding tight as she met his eyes.


    "Mr. Fullbuster, I''m sorry. I wasn''t brave enough before. I won''t make that mistake again."


    When Nishay had ordered her to break things off, she had hesitated. She''d even told him to leave Maple Bay.


    But deep down, she knew he had never once let go of her hand.


    Compared to his unwavering strength, she hadn''t measured up.


    But now, she promised herself she would be just as steadfast as he was.


    Jonathan watched the faint curve of her lips and the fierce resolve in her eyes. He had a feeling that if he even hinted at disbelief, she''d swear right then and there to prove him wrong.


    A smile spread in his eyes, slow and deep, impossible to hide.


    He pressed his palm to hers, their fingers sliding together until they fit perfectly. The second their hands locked, he leaned down and kissed her, quick and deliberate.


    "Deal sealed," he murmured. "I''ll remember. And if you ever think about running again, I''ll..."


    Anneliese arched a brow. "Break my legs?"


    Jonathan shook his head, silent. He could never do that. Just the idea hurt to imagine.


    But she didn''t need to know what he might actually do if she ever tried.


    His gaze grew darker, and Anneliese felt her legs weaken. She didn''t ask what that look meant. Instead, she turned pushed the hospital door. open, and smiled.


    "Grandma, we''re here."


    Nishay stood by the tall window, speaking softly into her phone. reyes/a


    When she turned, on the two of them standing in the


    doorway, still hand in hand.


    Anneliese wore a pearl-pink blouse tucked into a high-waisted aqua pencil skirt, paired with nude ankle boots.


    With the warmer weather, she had added only a mist-blue cashmere cardigan. Her wavy hair fell around her shoulders, giving her an air of quiet sophistication.


    Jonathan stood beside her in a blue dress shirt and a dark navy pinstriped suit. His shade of blue was several tones deeper, yet together, they looked perfectly coordinated, almost like they''d nned it.


    His calm,manding presence made her seem even softer and more refined.


    Anyone who saw them would have thought the same thing: they were the picture of perfection.


    Nishay''s eyes lingered for a moment before dropping to their joined hands.


    Her expression flickered as she spoke into the phone, "I''m not sure what''s going on. Anne just got here. I''ll ask her."


    She ended the call just as Anneliese led Jonathan farther into the room. "Grandma, who was that? What did they want to ask me?"


    Nishay turned toward her. "It was Artrisha. She heard Melody got arrested for hiring someone to kill."


    Artrisha had been their neighbor back in Baytree and had always kept in touch with Nishay.


    Baytree wasn''t a big ce, and not many people from there had made a name for themselves.


    Zacharias had be the CEO of a majorpany and spent the past few years showing off his wealth and donating publicly to his hometown.


    Melody and Lenora weren''t exactly the subtle type either. Every time they returned, it was a full-blown spectacle.


    Now that Melody''s arrest for


    attempted murder had made headlines, it wasn''t shocking that the story spread back to Baytree. Even Artrisha who barely used a cell


    phone, had caught wind of it.


    Anneliese nodded. "Yes, it''s true. I brought Jonathan with me today because I


    wanted to talk to you about it."


    Nishay frowned slightly, realizing there was probably more to this story than she wanted to hear.