498 A Gift Beneath the Snow
Chapter 498 A Gift Beneath the Snow
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Jonathan turned his hand over to clasp Anneliese’s, and she gazed up at him with doe–like eyes. “Does that mean I won’t see you again until after the New Year?”
She knew that during the holiday, he and Penelope would be heading back to Halden. She had thought he might at least stay in Oceaton for another day or two, but realizing he’d be leaving so soon made her heart ache with reluctance.
Jonathan curved his lips slightly. “Don’t want me to go?”
Anneliese flushed and quickly pulled her hand back, trying to sound casual. “You’re overthinking it. It’s just a few days–we’re not children.”
At that, he quirked a brow. “Funny, because I’ll miss you. No wonder Zion keeps calling me a lovesick fool.”
Her ears went hot instantly, and she blinked at him in surprise. Her heart gave a sudden flutter. Their situation had never been quite like a normal couple’s–they’d gotten their marriage certificate first, without going through that sweet dating stage.
But ever since that night on the balcony, when they’d confessed their feelings for each other, something between them had changed. Over the past few days, they’d been texting constantly, and whenever they were together, their eyes seemed magnetically drawn to each other. The feeling of being in love had only grown clearer and more real.
And now, hearing him call himself “lovesick“… didn’t that mean he was admitting they were truly in love?
A warm sweetness bloomed in her chest. Smiling softly, she teased, “You’re making that up. Did Mr. Harland really say that?”
“He wouldn’t dare say it out loud,” Jonathan replied with certainty. “But he’s definitely thinking
it.”
Anneliese’s lips curved higher. She rose on tiptoe to straighten his tie. “Then I guess I struck gold. A lovesick husband is the best thing a girl could ask for.”
Jonathan arched a brow just as Mabel approached.
“Sir, everything’s been moved as instructed–the items for The Banyans have been sent over first. And the things you prepared for Madam’s grandmother have all been placed in the guest
room.”
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Chapter 498 A Gift Beneath the Snow
Jonathan nodded. “Thank you. You’ve all worked hard.”
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Once Mabel sent the movers away, Jonathan pinched Anneliese’s cheek affectionately. “I bought a few things for Grandma. They’re in the guest room–arrange them however you like when you have time.”
Anneliese couldn’t hold back anymore. She threw her arms around his waist. “Fine, I admit it- I’ll miss you too!”
How could she not? He treated her so well. Not missing him would’ve made her heartless.
Jonathan chuckled softly and pulled her close for a brief moment before whispering, “I really have to go now.”
She quickly lifted her head. “Fly safe. I’ll be waiting for you to come back.”
He only smiled, ruffled her hair, and strode out the door.
As soon as he left, the house felt strangely empty. Everything in The Banyans had been set up -there wasn’t much of his personal stuff left here anyway. The living room looked almost the same as before, yet it felt hollow without him.
When she returned to the bedroom, she noticed there was one less pillow on the bed, which made the loneliness settle even deeper. Her gaze drifted toward the balcony–where the two snowmen still stood.
The sun had come out strong that morning, and the snowmen were already melting. Anneliese walked over, pushed open the balcony door, and crouched down beside them, feeling a touch of melancholy.
“Madam, breakfast is ready. You should eat something,” Mabel’s gentle voice came from behind. “I’ll clean up the snow later. Maybe it’ll snow again after the New Year. When Mr. Fullbuster returns, you two can build new ones together.”
Anneliese turned, smiling sheepishly. “I’m not a kid, Mabel. You don’t need to cheer me up. I’ll be right in.”
Mabel nodded and left.
Just as Anneliese started to stand, something caught her eye–a faint glimmer in the melting snow. She froze, then crouched again and brushed at the slush. At first, there was nothing, and she wondered if she’d imagined it–until a brilliant spark of light surfaced through the
remnants of snow.
She brushed the rest away and gasped. It was a platinum necklace with an exquisitely crafted
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Chapter 498 A Gift Beneath the Snow
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diamond snowflake pendant. Tiny crystals of ice still clung to it, making the diamond shimmer even brighter in her fingertips.
Anneliese turned it over in her hands for a long while, her lips curving higher and higher, all her earlier gloom melting away like the snow.
It had to be Jonathan–he must’ve guessed she’d feel lonely and left the necklace hidden in the snow. A surprise to discover when the snowmen melted. The thought made her nose sting with warmth as her heart swelled with tenderness.
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