His heart had turned to stone long ago. Very few people could stir it now.


    Elizabeth was definitely not one of them.


    But when he saw the worry in Anneliese''s eyes, something in him cracked a little. His gaze darkened, and after a pause, he sighed, like he''d been caught pretending. "My chest feels tight. It hurts. Maybe you should rub it for me."


    Anneliese didn''t hesitate.


    She started to move her hand, but Jonathan caught it, guiding her to unbutton his shirt.


    "It doesn''t work through fabric," he said softly, bringing her hand under his shirt and pressing it against his chest.


    Anneliese''s heart ached for her husband, and she did whatever he asked.


    Her small hand moved gently across his chest while her eyes searched his face.


    "Does that feel any better?"


    Jonathan frowned and let out a quiet sigh. He leaned down until his chin rested in the curve of her shoulder.


    "Yeah, a little..."


    His voice sounded muffled and low, nothing like someone who was truly fine.


    Anneliese''s chest tightened. Thinking about how he had just fought with Elizabeth— and how all of it had been because of her-made guilt twist in her stomach. She had no idea how to make it better for him.


    Her hand kept rubbing slow,forting circles over his chest. Tilting her head, she kissed his cheek and whispered,


    "Would this help more?"


    Her touch grew even softer, as if she feared pressing too hard might hurt him.


    The motion became more like a caress, and as she leaned closer again, the faint sweetness of her scent brushed past his nose.


    Jonathan''s gaze darkened. Heat stirred in his eyes, and in the next instant, he pulled her into his arms and lifted her, turning toward the bed with sudden strength.


    "Hey, what are you doing?"


    Anneliese gasped in surprise. She couldn''t believe that the man who looked so worn out seconds ago now moved with such energy and purpose.


    Before she could react, hey her down on the bed, his body hovering above hers.


    Jonathan caught her hand again and pressed it back against his chest. His voice was rough, his eyes dark and focused on her face.


    "Let''s try another way to make me feel better. You''re smart. You will figure it out."


    Anneliese froze.


    The warmth beneath her palm


    spread


    ret


    quickly and when she met


    his leasing, gaze, she realized he''d been pretending all along.


    Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. She pushed at his shoulders, kicking her legs in protest.


    "Jonathan! Get off me! I was actually worried about you, and you-you-"


    Her words cut off when his lips found hers.


    He kissed her deeply, stealing every breath until she melted beneath him.


    His fierce wife, who had defended him so fiercely, tasted even sweeter than he''d imagined.


    Anneliese''s body turned weak under the heat of his kiss, though her mind stayed faintly clear.


    She hadn''t forgotten that Elizabeth was still downstairs.


    What if she came back?


    She gripped Jonathan''s head and pushed gently, panting as she spoke.


    "Your mom hasn''t left yet..."


    "She''s gone. I heard her car."


    Anneliese''s eyes widened. "No, no, I still have to help Margot with the pies!"


    Jonathan''s teeth grazed Anneliese''s corbone, his displeasure written all over him.


    He was a grown man, full of heat and passion, yet somehow he was losing to a batch of pies?


    "Margot''s perfectly capable. She can manage on her own."


    Anneliese said nothing.


    "Sweetheart, you really can''t tell? I need you more right now."


    His low, coaxing voice broke through every wall she had left.


    By the time they made it downstairs, two whole hours had passed.


    When Anneliese entered the kitchen,


    Margot bad already finished e


    pie. She smiled and pointed aer


    neatly arranged trays.


    "Ma''am, I''ve sorted them all. These are for you to take to the hospital. These are for the Mr. Fullbuster''s grandparents. And these are for you and MD Fullbuster to have fresh When would you like me to start cooking them?"


    Anneliese flushed with embarrassment. She''d promised to help, but Margot had ended up doing everything herself.


    And it was painfully clear that Margot knew exactly why they had been gone for so long.


    Anneliese turned to re at the man beside her before looking back at Margot.