When His Perfect Mask Shattered I Awoke (Anneliese and Zacharias) novel Chapter 643

'Look, honey. Nishay's finally letting her guard down. I did good, didn't I?'

Anneliese shot him a look of mock annoyance, but her lips betrayed her, curling into a soft smile.

Their eyes met for only a second before parting, but when Jonathan turned again, Zacharias was staring at him with murderous fury.

Zacharias had seen the entire silent exchange.

He knew Jonathan was enjoying this. He'd not only earned Nishay's trust but had also redirected all her anger toward him.

Jonathan's lips lifted again, this time into a slow, dangerous smirk.

The warmth was gone. What replaced it was sharp and predatory, like a beast finally baring its teeth.

Zacharias was so furious he nearly choked on his own rage. "Nishay, even if my mother was wrong, Mr. Claude died saving Jonathan first! You can't hate me and then suddenly accept him!"

He couldn't stand it. Watching Nishay turn toward Jonathan felt worse than dying. It was like she was crushing his bones just to lift that man higher.

Anneliese saw through him instantly. Even now, he was trying to pit them against each other. Fury burned through her as she stepped forward, but before she could speak, Nishay's rough, trembling voice cut through the room.

"I must've been blind back then. How could I ever have let Anne marry someone like you? A man with the face of a human but the heart of a monster. I handed her to a pack of greedy leeches."

She clutched Jonathan's hand tight. "He's ten times the man you'll ever be."

Zacharias froze. The words hit harder than any blow. He had tried to manipulate her and ended up hearing her praise his enemy instead. His knees nearly buckled as he staggered back.

"Nishay…"

"Keep my name out of your mouth!" she snapped. "I feel sick hearing it from you!"

Her fury flared, and her body swayed. The color drained from her face as her knees weakened.

Jonathan caught her before she fell. Anneliese hurried to support her other side, her voice shaking.

"Grandma, please. You need to lie down." She tried to take Nishay to her bed.

Nishay could barely move. Her vision blurred, and her steps faltered.

Jonathan didn't wait. He bent down, lifted her into his arms, and laid her gently on the bed. Anneliese quickly tucked a pillow behind her to steady her.

Zacharias watched them, frozen in place. The way they moved together, in sync and protective, made his stomach twist. They looked like a real family—united, solid, untouchable. His heart sank as he stumbled back a step.

He sat there in a daze, leaning against the wall, his head hanging low.

Nishay's words replayed in his mind over and over. They cut deeper than Jonathan's punch ever could. Shame and regret ate at him until there was nothing left inside but emptiness.

The memories hit him all at once. His father, drunk again, staggering through the door while screams filled the house.

He saw Melody rushing him and Lenora to the Claudes' home, where the air always smelled like comfort and safety. Anneliese would slip candy and cookies into their hands, her voice soft as she whispered, "Zacharias, try these. They're sweet. You'll feel better after you eat them."

Nakala would hold a cold towel to his swollen cheek, her voice trembling with anger and pity as she urged Frederick to confront Zacharias' father.

From the kitchen, Nishay would emerge with a steaming plate of tiny pies, muttering that it was a shame, and join Nakala in begging Melody to find a way out.

Back then, the Claudes' home had felt like the only place in the world that was warm and safe.

He had sworn to himself that one day, he would repay their kindness. That he would treat Anneliese better than anyone ever could.

So how had everything fallen apart like this?

He never thought it would end this way between them.