When work got busy, he''d gone three straight days with barely five hours of rest.


    Before she could say anything, he bent down, swept her off her feet, and carried her toward the house in long strides.


    "We''ll n the gardenter. Swings, greenhouse, whatever you want-we''ll figure it out. Let''s see the inside first."


    Anneliese nodded. "Alright."


    The garden really was huge. Even in the darkst night, she had noticed that the frontwn had three sections, and the back garden stretched all the way to theke. It would need some serious thought before arranging anything.


    "Mr. and Mrs. Fullbuster, wee back!"


    Anneliese looped her arms around his neck, her gaze meeting his as they stepped into the vi together.


    Margot''s voice caught her off guard. Only then did she remember there were still people in the house.


    She shot Jonathan a teasing re and shifted in his arms, hinting for him to set her down.


    He didn''t seem the least bit bothered. He just nodded at Margot.


    Margot, sharp as always, quickly ced their slippers by the door with a smile before slipping away to the staff quarters.


    Jonathan set Anneliese on the entryway cab, knelt down, and took off her shoes. He slid the slippers onto her feet himself, his movements calm and deliberate.


    With him, even something so simple never looked submissive. Every move carried an effortless elegance, a quiet control that made her pulse race. Heat crept up her neck.


    She swung her legs gently, ncing down at the pink slippers. "You''re surprisingly good at this, honey."


    Jonathanughed softly, ruffling her hair before putting on his own slippers.


    Anneliese''s eyes dropped to his feet, and her expression froze.


    "Wait. Are these matching slippers?"


    She noticed his ck pair was the exact same design as her pink ones. Anneliese noticed the couple slippers and thought they were adorable. She reached out a hand toward Jonathan. "Wait, hang on. Help me down."


    Jonathan slipped an arm around her waist and lifted her from the cab with ease.


    The moment her feet touched the floor, she stepped closer and ced her right foot beside his left.


    Her eyes lit up when the half-heart on her slipper lined up with the half-heart on his, forming one perfect pink heart.


    She covered her lips andughed, looking up at him like a kid who had just discovered candy.


    "Did you buy these?" she asked.


    She could hardly believe it. Jonathan, the detail-oriented type? No way.


    He must have told his assistant or a housekeeper to get them.


    Jonathan reached up and brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear.


    Instead of answering, he asked softly, "Do you like them?"


    Anneliese nodded. "Of course I do. They''re adorable. It''s such a sweet surprise."


    She took out her phone. "Don''t move. I need a picture."


    Jonathan smiled and stayed still while she took photo after photo, changing angles each time. When she was finally done, he took her hand and led her inside.


    "If you don''t like the furniture, the curtains, or the lighting in the living room, we can change them," he said.


    Anneliese looked around the space, her eyes scanning every corner. "Everything''s great. I love it. I might add a few throw pillows, maybe a rug, and some small decor piecester But tell me the truth-did you get help from a female friend? The ce looks way too aligned with a woman''s taste."


    Jonathan lightly tapped her forehead. What are you thinking? This is our home. Why would let another woman have a say in it? Even the interior designer was a man, you jealous little thing."


    Anneliese blinked, a shy flush rising in her cheeks. He''d caught her easily.


    Maybe her marriage to Zacharias had left too many scars. Selina had been to their house more than once.


    Back when she and Zacharias were buying their home, she hadn''t known anything about his affair with Selina. When they got the keys Zacharias even invited the Whites toe see the ce.


    She remembered Selina suggesting all sorts of design ideas, and Zacharias had agreed with every one of them. She''d been such a fool, blind to it all.


    Now, as she looked at Jonathan, her chest grew tight.


    That was what love looked like the difference between a man who cared and one who never did.


    A man who didn''t love you could lie to you, humiliate you, and even bring another woman home just to feel something.


    But a man who truly loved you didn''t need to be told. He already knew what mattered to you and cared about every single detail.