Chapter 289 Homecoming and Heartbeats
Chapter 289 Homecoming and Heartbeats
“Woof! Woof! Woof!”
Anneliese had just hung up the phone when she heard the familiar barking.
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Meatloaf, who had been shipped to Baytree, had been sent back. Anneliese hurried down the path to meet her.
The dog looked so pitiful that Anneliese had to crouch and coax her for what felt like forever before she finally calmed down and followed her on the leash toward home.
But just as they neared the elevator, Meatloaf suddenly threw a tantrum. She whipped her tail, spun around, and dragged Anneliese straight out of the elevator, charging forward.
“Meatloaf! Stop!”
Anneliese stumbled, pulled along in jerks, until they tumbled out of the building and toward the stairs.
“Ah!”
She gasped, but with a solid thud, someone caught her. She landed in a somewhat familiar embrace.
The man’s scent–crisp, woody, and clean, yet tinged with the unfamiliar smell of tobacco–hit her nose.
Anneliese thought it was Jonathan, but somehow, she felt it wasn’t.
She didn’t remember him smoking; this was the first time she’d ever smelled it on him.
And the last time they’d spoken, Jonathan had said he wouldn’t be back for another two or three days.
Still uncertain, she heard a low, amused voice above her.
“So eager?”
Anneliese lifted her head, and in the soft, muted light, his face seemed to glow like a scene from an old movie–weathered yet magnetic. His eyes were deep and alive, his features striking and undeniably commanding.
Anneliese’s eyes brightened little by little. “How… how did you come back so suddenly?”
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Chapter 289 Homecoming and Heartbeats
Jonathan raised an eyebrow. “Not happy to see me, Mrs. Fullbuster?”
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They’d been in constant contact over the past few days. On the phone, he always called her Mrs. Fullbuster.
But separated by miles, never seeing his face, it had always felt like a teasing joke.
Now, with him right in front of her, Anneliese realized that when he said Mrs. Fullbuster, he had been serious–his gaze deep and focused, his voice utterly intoxicating.
Her face heated in an instant, and her heart raced. She hurriedly pushed him away, shaking her head to hide it.
“No, no… It’s just that you didn’t tell me in advance. Seeing you all of a sudden… it’s a bit…”
“Surprising or shocking?”
Meatloaf darted around them excitedly, leaping onto Jonathan’s legs.
Jonathan noticed that the leash was digging into Anneliese’s hand. He took it from her, smiling.
“Surprising,” she admitted boldly, meeting his gaze without hesitation, though the tips of her ears tingled with a rosy warmth.
Jonathan watched her, his lips curving into a faint, knowing smile.
He hadn’t even gone upstairs yet, but seeing her like this was a surprise for him too.
Zion had already pulled Jonathan’s suitcase from the trunk, but he hadn’t dared approach. Watching the scene, he realized that if he didn’t step forward soon, their public display of affection wouldn’t stop.
He rolled the suitcase over. “Good evening, Mrs. Fullbuster… Mr. Fullbuster. I guess I won’t escort you upstairs then,”
Jonathan turned and took the suitcase. “Thanks for your hard work. Go get some rest.”
Zion chuckled. “Mrs. Fullbuster, just look at these dark circles under my eyes.”
He pointed under his eyes, and Anneliese took a closer look. Someone who didn’t know better might think he’d been traveling abroad and picked up a bad habit.
“You must be exhausted.”
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Chapter 289 Homecoming and Heartbeats
What a hardworking guy.
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“Mr. Fullbuster’s the one who’s even more worn out,” Zion added. “Mrs. Fullbuster, I honestly can’t keep up. Mr. Fullbuster hasn’t even had dinner yet, and I didn’t bring any food. Can
you take care of him?”
He had stayed up countless nights to make sure Jonathan could return early, finishing work even on the flight back.
Zion was genuinely trying to earn some compassion for Jonathan from Anneliese–and he was truly at his limit.
Anneliese quickly nodded. “Of course, Zion. Don’t worry. Go home and rest.”
Zion yawned loudly and turned away.
Anneliese looked back at Jonathan and, sure enough, saw some faint dark circles under his eyes too. Not as severe as Zion’s, probably because he was stronger.
“I’ll carry it. Let’s head home.”
Her heart clenched a little, and she instinctively reached for the suitcase at his side.
She tugged a couple of times, but it wouldn’t budge.
She looked up at Jonathan. His gaze was gentle but resigned.
“I’m not that weak to let my wife carry my suitcase,” he said.
Anneliese froze.
She realized how silly she’d been–but hearing him call her his wife left her head spinning.
She quickly let go of the suitcase, but as soon as her hand left it, Jonathan smoothly switched hands, took the suitcase, and caught her hand before she could pull it away.
“Let’s go home,” he said.
One hand held the suitcase while also keeping Meatloaf on leash.
The other hand gripped hers tightly, and with long strides, he led the way up
