When His Perfect Mask Shattered I Awoke (Anneliese and Zacharias) novel Chapter 526

Anneliese felt a wave of relief wash over her, the heaviness in her limbs slowly lifting. She wanted to adjust her position, to find a more comfortable way to lie.

As soon as she began to stir, the man beside her reacted instinctively, leaning in closer, his arm sliding effortlessly beneath her neck in a protective embrace. His voice, low and soothing, wrapped around her like a warm blanket.

“Don’t move too much. You’ll irritate the wound at the back of your head. I’ll help you,” he urged gently.

His broad, reassuring palm shielded the sensitive area at the nape of her neck as he carefully maneuvered her onto her side, ensuring her comfort.

In that moment, Anneliese felt like a fragile doll, delicately positioned according to someone else’s desires. A small, involuntary smile danced on her lips, a flicker of joy amidst the uncertainty.

“I feel much better. Where are we?” she asked, her curiosity piqued as she glanced around the unfamiliar surroundings. The villa, though strange, bore an uncanny resemblance to Jonathan’s bedroom at Maple Bay, the decor striking a chord of familiarity deep within her.

A tight knot formed in her chest as the realization hit her. Has Jonathan brought me back to the Fullbuster Residence while I was asleep?

This was her first time stepping into this place, and she couldn’t shake the self-consciousness that enveloped her. She felt disheveled, exposed, like a flower out of season.

Noticing the fleeting panic that flickered across her face, Jonathan immediately recognized her unease. He wrapped her securely in his arms, pulling her close.

“This is my place in Halden-Oakland Residence. How about we spend the day alone, just the two of us?” he proposed, his voice a soft melody in the quiet room.

She released a gentle exhale, her body relaxing under the weight of his words.

“I nearly jumped out of my skin,” she admitted, placing a hand over her heart as a wave of relief washed over her, soothing her frayed nerves.

Jonathan chuckled softly, his gaze warm as he looked down at her. “Are you really that afraid to come home with me?”

She blinked up at him, her thoughts swirling like autumn leaves. “Yes. I’m not ready yet.”

She couldn’t shake the apprehension that bubbled within her. Jonathan’s grandfather and father were likely nothing like Penelope. They probably didn’t envision her as the ideal granddaughter-in-law or daughter-in-law.

Moreover, with the holidays approaching, Elizabeth might also be home, adding another layer of anxiety to the mix.

The last encounter with Elizabeth had left a bitter taste in her mouth. Anneliese hadn’t experienced any significant loss then, but the discomfort of their interaction still lingered. She wanted to sidestep any potential conflict.

“Relax. I’m here. No one can touch you. But if you truly don’t want to go back, I won’t force you,” Jonathan reassured her, his fingers gently stroking her long hair, a tender gesture that made her heart flutter.

“Baby, what if no matter what I do, your grandma still doesn’t like me?” he asked, pressing his chin gently against the top of her head, a hint of uncertainty creeping into his voice for the first time.

Anneliese had never heard him speak with such vulnerability before. Taken aback, she looked up at him, her heart racing.

“You’re Jonathan Fullbuster—the famous, unstoppable man. You can’t be doubting yourself. Relax. My grandma is very easygoing,” she reassured him, trying to infuse her words with confidence.

But her attempts at comfort seemed to bounce off him, his arms tightening around her as if to shield her from the world. “No. You have to promise me you won’t leave me. No matter what.”

He buried his handsome face in the crook of her neck, placing soft, tender kisses against her warm skin, igniting a warmth that spread through her entire being.

Anneliese almost laughed, realizing that Jonathan was being intentionally clingy, using his charm to coax her into submission.

He nuzzled her so thoroughly that her skin tingled, and with a helpless little sigh, she surrendered. “Okay, okay. I promise.”

Only then did he lift his head, his deep, searching gaze locking with hers. “Remember what you said.”

They lingered in bed for another half hour, wrapped in each other’s warmth, before finally rising to face the day. During breakfast, Zion arrived to update Jonathan on Timothy and the others, bringing a new wave of reality crashing in.