When His Perfect Mask Shattered I Awoke (Anneliese and Zacharias) novel Chapter 540

She stared at him and thought about how he had turned down her invitations to visit her grandma again and again. Her lips parted.

"I'm not trying to send you away. I really hate to see you leave. When I think about being apart for many days, I'm scared I won't be able to stop myself from wanting you to stay. Why don't you come up with me? You can wish my grandma a happy New Year before you go."

As she spoke, Anneliese held Jonathan's hand and tried to lead him toward the elevator.

But she could not move him at all.

His feet felt rooted to the ground. Anneliese turned back to look at him.

Jonathan suddenly pulled her into his arms. He held her tight, pressed her face against his chest, and lowered his head to kiss the top of her hair.

"Baby, I'm sorry. I still can't go up."

Anneliese lifted her head. "Why?"

His hand landed on the back of her neck and pressed her face back against his chest.

Anneliese bit down on her lip. The light in her eyes faded.

He did not dare look at her now.

Jonathan rested his chin against her forehead and spoke in a soft voice.

"Today was too rushed. I didn't even have time to prepare a gift for your grandma. I'll go with you next time when I'm fully ready."

His words sounded reasonable. Anneliese closed her eyes and tried to hide the sting in them.

She thought that even a man like Jonathan told a lie in a way that felt clumsy and easy to see through.

Her heart settled heavily. It felt like something quiet had shifted inside her.

She pushed him. "Okay. I'm going up then."

Jonathan still did not let go. "Let me hold you a little longer."

His clean scent filled her nose. His arms were warm and broad, and she knew them well.

But Anneliese could not feel what she used to feel.

Her hands hung at her sides. "After the holiday, what day are you coming back?"

Jonathan heard her ask about his return. In his mind, she still cared and did not want to be apart from him.

A small smile showed in his eyes. The nervous feeling he had before faded.

He let go of her and bent down a little to look at her. "I'll be back by the third at the latest. Wait for me?"

"Okay."

When the time came, she planned to talk things through with him.

"I'm leaving then?" Jonathan let out a small sigh. He hated to go. He wanted to kiss her, but when he saw how pale she looked, he held himself back. He only hugged her again before he got in the car.

Anneliese stood there as the car slowly drove out of the parking garage. Her vision turned blurry.

"What's going on between you and Mr. Fullbuster?"

Inside the elevator, Jessica watched as Anneliese remained quiet. Her mind was clearly heavy with thoughts. Jessica felt worried and spoke up.

Anneliese lifted her head. She hesitated, then shook her head and gave a small smile.

"There are some things I still don't understand. I'll talk to you in a few days."

Jessica frowned.

Something was really wrong.

And judging from Anneliese's serious look, it was not something small.

She wanted to ask more, but since Anneliese didn't want to talk, she remained quiet.

She stepped forward and hugged Anneliese while patting her back.

"Okay. Just remember that no matter what happens, I'm always here for you. I'll always support you."

Anneliese's eyes turned wet right away.