Jonathan observed her effortless shifts between sweet innocence and yful teasing. His grin widened. He leaned in, brushing the tip of his nose against Anneliese''s, his voice low and inviting.


    "I''m not questioning you," he murmured. "I just want to hear it from you-my baby saying it, for real."


    Anneliese''s eyes fluttered, her cheeks flushing. Under his intense gaze, she pretended to be coy.


    "Say what?" she asked, voice light.


    "You know what," he replied.


    As a teasing gesture, he bounced her lightly in his arms. Her small frame dipped slightly, and she squeaked before he caught her securely. She clung to him even tighter.


    A mischievous spark lit her eyes. "I have no clue. Care to give me a hint, Mr. Fullbuster?"


    Jonathan clicked his tongue, pressing his palm firmly against her curves. "Three words. Say them. Now."


    She had never admitted her love to him directly—not with that burning intensity.


    But such words weren''t meant to be forced; they had to emerge naturally, whenever the heartpelled them. Staring a woman down to make her confess was absurd.


    Anneliese parted her lips, warmth spreading across her cheeks, yet instead of speaking, a softugh slipped out.


    Jonathan''s eyes flickered with warning. She cleared her throat, bracing herself to finally say it-


    A sharp knock at the bedroom door cut through the moment.


    "Mr. Fullbuster, Mrs. Fullbuster, you have a visitor. It''s Mr. Zane," Margot''s voice called from outside.


    Anneliese nced toward the door. Zane is here? Has he found out what happened ande looking for Jess?


    "Forget him. We''re not done," Jonathan murmured, noticing her momentary distraction. He tilted her chin back and held her gaze, insistence in his eyes.


    Half exasperated, half amused, Anneliese rolled her eyes. Outside, Margot must have assumed no one heard her. She knocked again, louder this time.


    "Mr. Fullbuster, Mr. Zane is already waiting in the living room. He seems urgent. Mr. Fullbuster?"


    The mood shattered with yet another interruption. Jonathan''s irritation red, sharper than any forceful pull from the bed, and his voice dropped into a chilling, cold edge.


    "Let him wait!"


    Outside, Margot froze. She had


    worked there for years and never heard Jonathan speak so sharply.


    Realizing she''d intruded she pressed a hand over her mouth, stayed silent, and hurried downstairs.


    ????


    In her mind, she mused, The young couple is clearly inseparable. They''ve just returned and can''t bear to be apart. Mr. Zane has chosen the absolute worst moment.


    Back in the bedroom, Anneliese wriggled free of him. His expression was stormy, but she wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed a quick kiss to his tense lips.


    "I''ll make it up to you tonight," she whispered.


    His temper softened slightly. As she tried to slip away, he grabbed her waist, bent down, and kissed her deeply before they descended the stairs together.


    In the living room, Zane was standing, brows furrowed in concern.


    Hearing footsteps, he snapped his head up.


    "I know what happened that night," he said, voice tense. "I just left the Malone Residence."


    Anneliese stopped on the stairs, her stance firm. "So?"


    Zane exhaled heavily. "I know I handled things poorly. I refused Gianna multiple times-I never expected her to do something so reckless. I''ve made myself clear. Now, can you tell me where Jessica is?"  s?novels


    He looked exhausted, his eyes rimmed red, anxiety and anger etched across his


    face.


    It almost seemed as though he truly cared for Jessica—but that notion meant nothing to Anneliese. She felt the urge tough.


    If he genuinely cared, Jessica wouldn''t have felt unsafe and hopeless enough to leave.


    A woman carrying his child, abandoning everything—that proved her heart was already broken.


    "Zane," Anneliese said firmly, "all I can tell you is that Jessica has left Oceaton. She doesn''t want anything to do with you. Stop looking for her will not reveal where she went ?f that''s why you came, please leave."


    She turned to ascend the stairs. Panic shed across Zane''s face as he stepped forward, reaching for her.


    Jonathan moved instantly, positioning himself between them. There was no way anyone would touch his wife.