Jonathan''s love felt like warm water running over her skin. It surrounded Anneliese, soft and steady, keeping her safe.


    Sometimes, though, that warmth red up without warning, deep and consuming.


    She took a step forward, stood on her toes, and pressed her lips against his. Jonathan''s brows lifted slightly, a faint smile curving his lips. He didn''t kiss her back, but he let her linger, savoring her sudden affection.


    Anneliese thought he wasn''t cooperating at all. With her slippers on, their height difference felt even more obvious.


    She looped her arms around his neck, stepped right onto his foot with her soft pink slipper, and kissed him harder, her tongue tracing into his mouth just like he always did to her.


    Jonathan''s Adam''s apple moved as his breath deepened. His hand slid around her lower back, pressing her against him until she had to gasp and push him away.


    Hershes were wet, her eyes tinted red, and she tilted her chin up at him, her voice soft but sharp.


    "Yeah, I''m jealous. So you''d better keep your boundaries in check."


    The vi was big, with too many rooms to count. It took them half an hour just to finish looking through two floors.


    Anneliese pulled out her phone and opened her notes app, typing down everything she wanted to add, change, or buy.


    That was when Zion showed up, actually bringing the greens he''d mentioned earlier.


    They decided to leave the rest of the house for another time. Jonathan went to the study with Zion to talk business, while Anneliese followed Margot into the kitchen to make pies.


    Anneliese was mixing the filling when the doorbell suddenly rang.


    "I''ll get it," Margot said quickly, setting down the bowl and untying her apron before hurrying away.


    A momentter, Anneliese heard hering back, her steps quick and uneven.


    Anneliese looked up. Margot pointed toward the entrance. "Ma''am, it''s Mr. Fullbuster''s mother. I already opened the gate. You should go greet her."


    Elizabeth was here.


    Anneliese untied her apron, washed her hands, and walked out of the dining room.


    At the entryway, a silver Cayenne rolled into the courtyard. The driver stepped out and opened the back door, and sure enough, Elizabeth emerged.


    Anneliese turned to Margot. "Go upstairs and tell Jonathan his mother''s here."


    Margot nodded and headed up, while Anneliese stepped outside to meet Elizabeth herself.


    Elizabeth paused when she saw her, hesitating for a brief moment before walking up the stairs.


    She looked almost the same as she had at the Fullbuster estate—elegant clothes, diamonds, and all that quiet wealth.


    But on closer look, she seemed older, worn down. The makeup couldn''t hide the wrinkles on her forehead or the dark circles under her eyes.


    Her gaze wasyered now, full of something tangled and uncertain.


    Anneliese stood still, her posture calm, her expression polite but unreadable, with only a faint, courteous smile.


    She said nothing. Elizabeth reached the top of the steps, stared at her silence, and felt her chest tighten.


    Thest time they''d met, Elizabeth had led Anneliese to that pink "princess room" and dropped those cruel words on purpose.


    She''d wanted Anneliese to walk away from Jonathan. Yet here this woman still stood.


    And because of it, Jonathan had cut off one of the Hoff family''s biggest partnerships. For days, Elizabeth''s brother and sister-inw had been pressing her for answers. She''d called Jonathan again and again, but he never picked up.


    She''d even called Zion, who gave her the same rehearsed response every time. The messages she''d asked him to pass on clearly never reached Jonathan.


    Even Penelope and Derek had flown to Oceaton in person—all because of Anneliese.


    Elizabeth had been so wound up this past year that she was on the edge of losing control. With no other option left, she came herself.


    And now, how could she not be furious?


    She stared at Anneliese''s calm, unreadable face and felt her silence like a p, a quiet provocation wrapped in poise.


    Elizabeth''s voice went cold. "I heard your grandmother was hospitalized around New Year''s. I thought you''d finallye to your senses about Jonathan. But you''re still here Quess there really is a difference between blood and adoption."


    She moved to walk past, but Anneliese''s voice stopped her.


    "Mrs. Fullbuster, why are you so against Jonathan and me? I''m genuinely curious."


    Elizabeth froze. Her eyes narrowed, and her tone turned sharp.


    "You really don''t know your ce, do


    rel


    you? You''re divorced. Your background, your reputation, your capabilities-none of it matches him. I''ve even heard you can''t have children. How could someone like you ever be worthy of my som Tell me, isn''t it perfectly reasonable that I disapprove?"