When His Perfect Mask Shattered I Awoke (Anneliese) novel Chapter 554

Nishay began to suspect that Anneliese had gone to extreme lengths to hide something—possibly because the man truly had complications, like being married.

Anneliese remained oblivious to the distant expression crossing Nishay's face.

Later that evening, she perched on her bed, laptop balanced over crossed legs, fingers dancing across the keys as if orchestrating a thousand drones to launch and complete their missions simultaneously.

Suddenly, her phone on the desk rang, startling her.

She glanced at the screen out of the corner of her eye, and her hands froze midair. Her thoughts scattered.

It was Jonathan.

It was strange—he had previously instructed her to reply via WhatsApp, yet after she did, he had gone silent. Now he was calling, seemingly just to wish her goodnight.

A flush of nerves coursed through her, followed by a scoff at her own overreaction.

She felt pathetic.

She answered, voice hesitant. "It's late, why are you—"

Jonathan's calm, commanding tone cut her off.

"Come downstairs."

"What?" She blinked, confused for a moment.

"I'm downstairs. Come on down."

His words aligned perfectly with the suspicion that had just formed in her mind, and she wondered why he had suddenly returned.

She snapped her laptop shut, swung her legs off the bed, and approached the window to peer down.

Night had settled deeply over the city, and even through the intricate festive decorations draping the complex, she couldn't catch sight of him.

"Okay, I'll be down shortly."

She threw on a jacket and quietly cracked open the bedroom door. Meatloaf padded over, hearing the movement. Anneliese crouched to rub the dog's head.

"Quiet now. Don't wake Grandma or Jess. I'm heading out. Keep watch, alright?"

Meatloaf wasn't thrilled about her late-night excursion and followed her to the doorway.

She slipped into her shoes and scratched behind his ears. "I'm going to meet Jonathan."

So he smokes when he's stressed and worn out. Clearly, he's tense tonight.

Did I make him feel this way?

The thought twisted uncomfortably in Anneliese's chest, and she tried to pull away.

Jonathan sensed her struggle and released her—only to replace it immediately with a warm, firm hand at the nape of her neck. He leaned down and kissed her without hesitation.

The intimacy felt rare, a closeness they hadn't shared in a long time.

The instant their lips met, an electric jolt surged through her; a soft, relieved breath escaped him.

Then everything broke loose. He pressed closer, parted her lips, entangled his tongue with hers, taking more and more.

"Mmph... don't..."

"I have something to... Mm... let go..."

His face was cold from the winter air, but his mouth burned with intensity.

Anneliese felt caught between fire and ice, energy draining fast. Her voice merged with his breath. His hands, relentless on her waist and at her neck, arched her back as she staggered two steps. He pinned her to the elevator wall, kissing her with an unyielding, insistent passion.