"I''ve got it. Stay here and keep Nishaypany."


    Anneliese didn''t stop him from putting on a good show in front of Nishay. She handed the dishes to him and smiled.


    "Take your time. Grandma and I need some girl talk."


    Jonathan raised a brow and gave her a quick grin. "Alright."


    When he disappeared into the bathroom and the door clicked shut, Anneliese turned to Nishay with a soft, curious smile.


    "Grandma, did you ept him?" she asked quietly.


    Nishay looked into her hopeful eyes, then sighed. "Do you really like him that much?"


    Anneliese''sshes fluttered. Her cheeks turned pink as she nodded. "Grandma, I think I''ve fallen in love with him."


    The color in her face deepened. Saying something like that out loud, especially to someone so close, made her blush harder.


    But she held Nishay''s gaze, wanting her to see the truth in her heart.


    "Grandma, I really hope you can ept us and give us your blessing."


    Nishay studied her, remembering the time Anneliese had wanted to be with Zacharias. She had asked her for advice then, too.


    Back then, Nishay said Zacharias carried too many burdens. She asked Anneliese what she would do if she didn''t agree.


    The girl had answered earnestly that if Nishay didn''t approve, she''d wait.


    She said she''d wait until Zacharias was in a better ce before being with him. She said she''d listen to whatever Nishay thought was right.


    It was Nishay who, after thinking long and hard, had told her that sharing hard times might make love stronger. So she gave her blessing.


    But now, Nishay felt she must have grown foolish over the years.


    How else could she have been blind to Melody and her family''s deceit and cruelty?


    And now, even though Anneliese had gone against her wishes to be with Jonathan, the truth was right in front of her.


    Jonathan was far more reliable than Zacharias ever had been.


    Nishay sighed deeply. She turned her hand and gently sped Anneliese''s fingers.


    "I''m old, and my judgment isn''t what it used to be. If you''ve made up your mind about him, then hold on to it and make it work."


    Anneliese''s face brightened in surprise, but before she could respond, Nishay continued.


    "But even if he helped uncover what happened to your mother and cleared her name, that only means owe him my gratitude. If he wants my fut approval, that depend on what he does next. I''ll need to see if his family truly respects you. And as for that fire, he''d better not think he can just sweep it under the rug."


    Anneliese nodded and was just about to speak when Jonathan''s deep voice came from behind her.


    "Nishay, don''t worry. I''ve already


    sent someone to look into the fire. We''ll know soon. And I promise, if there''s more to it, I''ll make sure you and Anne and her parents get the answers you deserve."


    Nishay turned to look at him. Jonathan stood there without his jacket, his white shirt


    sleeves rolled up, the dishes in his hand still dripping with water.


    Even so, he stood tall and confident, his steady tone carrying a kind of authority that made people want to believe him.


    Nishay gave a small nod. "Then, I''ll wait and see. Don''t make me regret it."


    Jonathan nodded once and stayed silent.


    When he and Anneliese stepped out of the room, she closed the door and immediately spun around. Excitement lit up her face as she jumped into his arms.


    "Oh my god, Grandma finally agreed to let us be together! Honey, you''re incredible! You''re amazing!"


    Jonathan caught her instinctively, his hands looping under her knees as he lifted her off the ground.


    Anneliese clung to him, arms around his neck, herughter bright and uncontroble.


    She kissed him twice on the lips, glowing with joy like sunlight breaking through clouds.


    Jonathan''s mouth curved into a smile. Her happiness was infectious, and he couldn''t resist spinning her in a circle. Then another.


    But happiness had its price.


    Anneliese kicked her legs in delight, and the insted container Jonathan had been barely holding slipped from his hand.


    It hit the floor hard, sending a sharp metallic crash echoing through the hallway.


    The sound drew an immediate reaction from the nurse''s station nearby.


    "Young people, keep it down! This is a hospital!"


    Clearly, the head nurse didn''t recognize Jonathan. Her tone was strict and unyielding. Anneliese''s face turned crimson. She buried her


    face in Jonathan''s shoulder and quickly pressed a hand over his face.


    "Oh my god, this is so embarrassing! Let''s go, move!" she whispered, panicking.


    Jonathan chuckled. "Baby, if you cover my face, I can''t see where the container went."