Chapter 182
He would not say these words in the past, but at this moment, seeing her standing in front of his father’s memorial tablet, the words flowed naturally from his lips.
It was as if only in her presence could he confess the feelings he had buried deep within him.
“Speaking of which, my father must have met many beautiful women in his lifetime, and there were probably women even more beautiful than her. Yet, he gave up everything for this woman. He was quite the fool,” Jonathan murmured.
“Your father might not have loved your mother just because she was beautiful. When a person truly falls in love with someone, appearance may not be that important. And… they would probably fall in love anyway, no matter she or he is good or bad,” Rosalie said.
Jonathan’s eyes flashed slightly, and his gaze fixed firmly on Rosalie. “Perhaps… Just as you said, when you truly love someone, appearance may not be that important…”
Just like how he loved her. He had certainly encountered women more beautiful, more skilled in understanding a man’s heart, and more accommodating than her. Yet, he inexplicably favored the feeling she gave him.
He liked it when she cared for him, the gentle warmth that flowed like calm waters, her calling him “Jon,” and the nights when she held his hand as they slept.
His gaze seemed to imply something, enveloping her completely, rendering her unable to move.
It wasn’t until Rosalie finished burning the incense for Jonathan’s father that he stood up, walked over to a photograph of his mother, and set it on fire. Then, he extinguished the candles.
“Why did you burn your mother’s photograph?” she asked, puzzled.
“I burn this photo every year on this day,” Jonathan explained. “It’s done. Let’s go.”
Rosalie blinked and checked the time. It was just past midnight, and a new day had begun.
“Why do you burn the photograph at this time every year?” she asked curiously. Then, as if realizing her inappropriate question, she hastily added, “Oh, you don’t have to answer. I was just curious.”
In truth, Rosalie shouldn’t be asking these questions. She should be focusing on distancing herself from him, but somehow, it seemed like she was becoming more entangled.
“Because yesterday was her birthday. In the past, every year on this day, my father would wait for her to celebrate her birthday together, no matter how late it was. Burning her photo lets my father know that one day, I will find her and bring her to his grave,” he murmured.
So, every year on this night, Jonathan would look at the woman he should call his mother’s photo, reminding himself not to forget her face, so he wouldn’t fail to recognize her someday.
“Let’s go,” he said, taking her hand and leading her out of the memorial hall.
Meanwhile, in the security room, several night watchmen gathered around the monitor, watching the two people leave the memorial hall.
“They’ve come out! Wow, Ms. Leighton really came out unscathed!”
“Mr. Youngblood… is even holding her hand!”
“If it were someone else entering that hall, they might not have come out alive!”
The security guards chatted excitedly, but suddenly, the man on the monitor turned his head abruptly, as if he were looking directly at the person watching the screen.
The security guards fell silent immediately, not daring to say anything more.
“What’s wrong?” Seeing Jonathan stop walking, Rosalie couldn’t help but wonder.
“Nothing.” Jonathan lowered his head and responded casually.
When they returned to the main room, Rosalie asked, “How do you feel now?”
“Much better,” he said.
“Even if your stomach ache is caused by an old problem, you should still see a doctor and take care of yourself. Some illnesses, if neglected, can turn into serious ones,” Rosalie advised.
“So, Rosie, are you concerned about me?” He smiled.
She choked on her words and felt awkward, wanting to go upstairs. However, he suddenly raised his hand, pulling her into his embrace. “Okay, I promise you that I will take time to find a doctor to take good care of my body, I will also take the medicine you bought me today obediently. If I’m willing to listen to you, will you like me a bit more?”
“What?” She was completely dumbfounded, thinking, “What is he saying will
to listen to her? How could someone like
him say such words?”
He lowered his head and approached her face, whispering in a low-pitched cello voice, “If I’m willing to listen to you, will you like me more? I want your affection.”
Indeed, he wanted her affection. Originally, he only wanted her to stay by his side, but at some point, he had become greedier, wanting more and more.
However, it was not enough to trap her beside him like this. He wanted her to love him, for her to like only him, and to place her emotions solely upon him.
“Are you willing?” His voice was like the most enchanting temptation, akin to a devil’s seduction, drawing her towards acquiescence.
Rosalie stared at the man in front of her blankly. Her mind seemed to turn blank.
At that moment, those two words, “I’m willing,” almost slipped from her lips.
Throughout the night, Rosalie kept waking up, her mind filled with Jonathan’s words.
“Jonathan. Could it be true that he would listen to me? It is hard to believe. How could he say such things?” she thought.
She even wondered what would happen if she said she was willing at that time.
Nonetheless, at that time, she merely looked at him in a daze and said nothing.
Fortunately, he didn’t insist on an answer. He only said, “When you’re willing in the future, tell me.”
In the morning, when Rosalie woke up, Jonathan was no longer at home. She sighed in relief. It was Saturday, and she only had to work half a day.
In the afternoon, after tidying up, Rosalie headed to the place where she had agreed to meet Lillian.
When she arrived, Lillian was already sitting in the chair of a dessert shop. Her brows furrowed as she held her phone to her ear, clearly engaged in a frustrating phone call.
Seeing Rosalie, Lillian gestured for her to sit and then turned her attention back to the call. “Okay, okay, I understand. I promise to complete the mission today. Can you please stop calling me, Mom? If I don’t finish it tonight, you can punish me by making me kneel on the keyboard!”
