Chapter 474 Sad Dog
Jonathan remembered the moment he had stepped into the house. Meatloaf had bounded toward him with all the strength her old body still carried, tail wagging and eyes bright. Jonathan had ignored her completely. Now it was no mystery why the dog sulked in silence.
A flicker of guilt stabbed at him. He rubbed the bridge of his nose with his hand. “He’s probably mad. I didn’t pay attention to him earlier.”
Anneliese stiffened, her own guilt flashing for a second. But she still snapped at him, eyes blazing. “How could you treat her like that?”
Jonathan’s gaze stayed steady on her. “So, did you go back and give her attention instead?”
Her cheeks puffed up with frustration. “I… I didn’t. I was too busy making up with you. You were upset, so I had to comfort you. That means this is all your fault!”
Jonathan stayed quiet.
Alright. He understood now. In this home, his place sat beneath even the dog. Meatloaf had the power to ignore him too.
Jonathan let out a long sigh. He tapped his knuckles against the side of the wooden doghouse, the sound hollow and sharp.
“Meatloaf, come out. Mom’s already angry. If you stay inside, you and I are both in trouble.”
Anneliese’s face went crimson. Her fists curled tight, and she thumped his solid arm twice.
“What nonsense are you saying? I am not her mom! If you want to be her dad, fine, but I’m her sister.”
She had raised Meatloaf since she was ten. Calling herself her mom still felt far too strange.
Jonathan arched a brow, a sly smile tugging at his lips. “Alright. If you insist on being her sister, then that makes me your daddy. I’m fine with that.”
Anneliese’s jaw dropped.
Her fists flew again, harder this time, striking his chest. Jonathan only laughed and pulled her into his
arms.
“You see that, Meatloaf? Your sister really hits hard.”
Meatloaf peeked out of the doghouse for one brief glance. Then, she snorted, turned away, and pushed her rump deeper into the bedding/
Enough. She was done with their drama.
That night, Anneliese fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
Jonathan lay still, her body resting against his chest. He turned on the bedside lamp, his eyes fixed on her
face.
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Chapter 474 Sad Dog
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He brushed her hair gently, smoothing it back. A few strands clung to his fingers. He wound them around his fingertips, planning to pluck them free. But when he saw her peaceful expression, his hand faltered. Twice he tried, but his resolve failed him.
At last, he let go. He smoothed the strands back into place with care. He eased her down onto the pillow, pulled the blanket over her, and slipped from the bed.
He carried the glass from the nightstand. In the bathroom, he took her toothbrush. He placed both into a sealed bag and left the room.
Half an hour later, Zion arrived, snow clinging to his coat. Jonathan handed him the bag and the glass.
Zion’s brows lifted. “Hair works better for DNA. It’s more accurate. Isn’t Mrs. Fullbuster at home?”
His task was clear: conduct a paternity test between Anneliese and the Whites. A couple of hairs would have done the job. He wondered why his boss was handing him a toothbrush and a glass instead.
Jonathan’s glare was cold, his voice sharp. “Too many questions. Get moving. You’re keeping me from sleeping.”
Zion said nothing.
But inside, he finished the thought his boss had left unsaid.
You’re keeping me from holding my wife in my arms, he thought.
Poor assistant. He trudged through snow in the dead of night, working overtime, only to get a face full of his boss‘ affection.
But he kept quiet about it.
The next morning, Anneliese stirred earlier than usual.
She had wanted to catch the snow outside her window.
But Jonathan was already gone.
She wrapped herself in the blanket and sat up. She checked her phone. The clock read half past eight. He had left for work hours ago.
A message waited for her on WhatsApp.
Good morning, baby, I left for work. There’s a surprise in the room. Look for it.‘
Jonathan’s busiest season had arrived. She sighed for a moment, mourning her husband, who worked nearly 24/7. But the word “surprise hooked her instantly.
She leapt from bed and began searching. She pulled open drawers, checked every corner, and even searched the nightstand. She found nothing.
Time pressed hard against her.
She still had to rush to the fab. She gave up the hunt and hurried into the bathroom.
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Chapter 474 Sad Dog
There she spotted it. A brand–new toothbrush stood in the cup.
Her brows knit. She lifted her phone, snapped a picture, and sent it to him.
Mr. Fullbuster, the surprise you mentioned isn’t this, right?‘
She stared at it, even touched the bristles one by one. She found nothing special.
His reply came almost at once.
Not the toothbrush, dummy!”
She brushed her teeth, fuming. Then she typed back in irritation.
Then, why did you replace it?‘
Besides that toothbrush, there was nothing else to be found.
