Built His Empire Then Watched It Burn When He Cheated novel Chapter 533

**Chapter 533: The Portrait She Never Knew**

Anneliese lay there, her head nestled against the cushions, feeling the weight of exhaustion pressing down on her. Jonathan’s gentle fingers wove through her hair, a soothing gesture that seemed to chase away the shadows of her fatigue.

“Why don’t you take a little rest?” he suggested softly, his voice wrapping around her like a warm blanket. “I’ll come back to wake you for dinner, and then I’ll send you back to Oceaton.”

His words were filled with kindness, and Anneliese felt a flutter of comfort in her chest. She nodded slowly, her eyelids growing heavier as she surrendered to the allure of sleep. Yet, as soon as the door clicked shut behind him, an unsettling restlessness settled over her like a fog. Was it the unfamiliarity of her surroundings that kept her awake, or was it the lingering effects of her earlier nap? Whatever the cause, sleep remained just out of reach.

Just as she began to drift into the realm of dreams, the door creaked open once more, and the sound of light footsteps broke her solitude.

“Honey?” she called out, her voice tinged with hope, thinking Jonathan had returned.

“Anneliese, I’m not Jonathan,” came a bright, melodic voice that danced through the air like a songbird.

Startled, Anneliese shot upright, her heart racing in her chest. A girl stood in the doorway, clad in a vibrant red dress that seemed to radiate youthful energy. She appeared to be around seventeen or eighteen, with an aura that sparkled with exuberance.

As the girl introduced herself, Anneliese’s mind raced. This must be Felyxia Fullbuster, Jonathan’s cousin, the daughter of his second uncle.

“Hello, sister-in-law! I’m Felyxia. May I come in? I hope I didn’t wake you!” she chirped, her friendly smile illuminating the room with warmth.

Anneliese felt an involuntary smile bloom on her lips in response. “No, I wasn’t asleep. Please, come in,” she invited, her curiosity piqued.

But as she attempted to rise, Felyxia rushed over, her hands raised in protest as if to shield Anneliese from some unseen danger.

“No, no! Stay down! If Jonathan sees you getting up, he’ll be so mad at me!”

Felyxia’s face twisted into a comically fearful expression, her neck shrinking as if she were genuinely worried about Jonathan’s reaction.

Anneliese couldn’t help but chuckle softly, finding amusement in the girl’s antics. “You’re scared of him? He’s really quite gentle.”

Felyxia looked at her with wide eyes, as if Anneliese had just shared the punchline of a cosmic joke.

“Gentle? Jonathan?” she echoed incredulously, disbelief coloring her tone.

Seeing the sincerity in Anneliese’s expression, Felyxia clicked her tongue dismissively.

“He doesn’t throw tantrums, sure, but when he gets angry, even my dad and Grandpa have to tread carefully. Sometimes, even Grandpa gives in to him! If you think he’s gentle, you must be really special to him, Anneliese. How long have you known him?”

Anneliese blinked, a warm flush creeping up her cheeks at the unexpected compliment.

“Why do you think that?” she asked, her heart quickening at the thought of their connection.

Felyxia giggled, her laughter bright and infectious. “I was around seven or eight, and I got bored playing. I wandered into this building and ended up upstairs, looking for a place to nap. But instead, I stumbled into a princess-themed room! That’s where I saw the portrait. Jonathan caught me in there, and he was so mad he almost hit me!”

She stood up, mimicking Jonathan’s stern expression with exaggerated flair. “Who let you in here? Get out!”

Anneliese couldn’t help but laugh at the girl’s performance, but Felyxia shivered dramatically, then plopped back down on the floor, her eyes wide with mock fear.

“He was really strict back then. I was terrified! I cried and had nightmares for days afterward. You see, Uncle and Auntie don’t have a daughter, so I was so curious why Sunlit Glade had a princess room. Later, I asked Madam Loreila about it.”

Anneliese listened intently, the story weaving a vivid picture in her mind, offering a glimpse into Jonathan’s past that deepened her understanding of him.

As the conversation with Felyxia unfolded, Anneliese felt a profound connection to Jonathan that transcended the short time they had known each other. The revelation of the portrait he had drawn years ago painted a picture of a young boy who had cherished her image long before their paths had crossed. It was as if the threads of their lives had been intertwined from the very beginning, a tapestry of unspoken affection and admiration that had now come to light. Anneliese’s heart swelled with warmth, realizing that Jonathan had seen something special in her long before she recognized it in herself. The laughter they shared, the playful banter, and the easy camaraderie with Felyxia illuminated the shadows of her uncertainty, casting a hopeful glow on her feelings for Jonathan.

In that moment, Anneliese understood that her weariness was not just from the strangeness of her surroundings but from the weight of her own emotions, a mixture of fear and excitement about what lay ahead. The portrait, a symbol of Jonathan’s past feelings, had unknowingly bridged the gap between them, allowing her to embrace the depth of her own feelings. With Felyxia’s infectious laughter still echoing in her ears, Anneliese felt a renewed sense of purpose. She was no longer just a visitor in this place; she was a part of a story that was still being written—a story filled with connection, warmth, and the promise of love that had been waiting to bloom.

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

As the vibrant threads of Felyxia’s story unravel, Anneliese finds herself on the brink of a revelation that could change everything she thought she knew about Jonathan. The mention of the portrait stirs a whirlwind of emotions within her—curiosity, excitement, and a hint of apprehension. In the next chapter, readers can expect Anneliese to delve deeper into Jonathan’s past, perhaps uncovering more about his artistic talents and the significance of the portrait that has been hidden from her. Will she confront Jonathan about it, or will she choose to keep her newfound knowledge a secret for the time being?

Moreover, Felyxia’s playful demeanor hints at a deeper connection between the characters, suggesting that Anneliese’s relationship with Jonathan might not only be tested but also enriched by this newfound understanding of his history. As the dynamics between the characters evolve, tensions may rise, leading to heartwarming and perhaps even humorous moments. With Felyxia’s infectious spirit and Jonathan’s brooding nature, the juxtaposition promises a delightful exploration of friendship, love, and the complexities of family ties. Prepare for unexpected twists and emotional revelations that will leave readers eagerly turning the pages to discover what lies ahead for Anneliese and Jonathan in this enchanting tale.