"I didn''t hear you clearly just now. Say it again."


    Anneliese red at him and poked his chest with her finger. "Don''t cross the line, Jonathan. Constantly taking without giving isn''t a virtue. Courtesy calls for..."


    "I love you too." Before Anneliese could finish speaking, Jonathan cut in. His voice was low and gentle.


    He said it so cleanly and naturally, and Anneliese was still prepared to spar with him for a while longer—yet he simply said it out loud like that.


    In that split second, she froze. Fingertip against his chest, she could almost feel the rhythm of his heartbeat-steady and powerful, with just a hint of speed.


    That pulse traveled through her fingertip and connected to her own heart, which was beating even faster, sending waves of electric current through her body.


    She stood there dazed for several seconds before breaking into a foolish grin. Grabbing the man by the cor, she said, "I didn''t hear clearly just now either. Say it again."


    As Jonathan looked at her flushed cheeks and bright eyes, he lifted her directly onto his shoulder and strode toward the bed, his voice carrying an unconcealed ease and pleasure.


    "Baby, no rush." After all, he had plenty of time to discuss this matter with her.


    The next day, Anneliese woke upte again as expected.


    When she opened her eyes, Jonathan was already gone from the bed.


    Remembering that she had made ns with Wendy to go early and pick up Ellie, she quickly reached for her phone to check the time.


    The moment she saw it, she jolted upright.


    She waste. Not just a littlete-she was more than an hourte.


    Standing up to a child, especially one as lovable as Ellie, made Anneliese want to scold a certain someone.


    As if by telepathy, Jonathan''s call came through at that exact moment. Anneliese hugged the nket and sat up as she answered it.


    Before she could use him of his crimes, his voice had already sounded.


    Are you awake? I already called Steven. He''ll make time this morning to bring Ellie over. Just wait at home."


    Anneliese was baffled by his words. She didn''t know whether to call him considerate or infuriating.


    "What excuse did you use?" she asked as she felt a bad feeling rising.


    On Jonathan''s end, the sound of Zion reporting work could be heard. Clearly already immersed in


    casually, "I told him you were tired and needed more sleep. He understoodpletely."


    Jonathan felt that Anneliese was already kind enough to help look after Ellie, so he felt that Steven


    personally go pick the childet


    shouldn''t still expect her to


    up. If


    that was the case, he might as well give Ellie to Anneliese.


    On the other hand, Anneliese gritted her teeth.


    They had agreed she would go pick Ellie herself. Now that he suddenly said she was tired and had Steven send Ellie over himself this was tantly telling Steven exactly what they had donest night!


    "Jonathan!" Anneliese cried out, mortified and annoyed.


    The man chuckled lightly and said, "It''s normal for newlyweds to be close to each other. You don''t have to be shy about it."


    What a jealous man! Anneliese was convinced he did it on purpose.


    Then, she huffed and hung up the phone.


    Since she no longer needed to go pick up Ellie, Anneliese rxed. She soaked in the bath for a while before heading downstairs.


    Just as she came down, the sound of a car pulling up could be heard outside. Then, she hurried out to greet them.


    Initially, she felt a little awkward facing Steven. However, Steven only ced Ellie down and nodded politely toward her from a distance.


    "Thank you for the trouble," he said before getting back into the car.


    Ellie, carrying a cartoon backpack, ran toward Anneliese. Anneliese quickly lifted her. By the time she picked Ellie up, Steven''s car had already turned the corner and driven away.


    Inside the car, Steven stared into the rearview mirror at Anneliese holding Ellie, the two of them pressing their foreheads together and smiling. He didn''t look away for a long time.


    Seeing his reaction, the driver slowed the car and couldn''t help saying, "Ms. ude and Ms. Ellie really get along well. Why didn''t you thank her in person, Mr. Malone?"


    The driver had been serving Steven


    for many years and knew Ellie''s


    situation very well. Steven had a


    hard time raising his daughter alone, so seeing how harmonious Ellie and Anneliese were, as well as recalling some unverified rumors e had heard earlier, the driver spoke a bit more.