The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 1

"Mommy, can you please divorce Daddy?"

It was 9:00 pm, and I was trying to get my son to sleep. Just when I thought he was drifting off, he suddenly asked me that.

That one sentence hit me like a ton of bricks, leaving me momentarily stunned. My hand froze on his back. A sharp pain pricked at my heart.

Over the years, my relationship with his father had been pretty good. By all accounts, a child nurtured with love should feel happy living in such an environment. So, how could he have such a thought? I couldn't wrap my head around it, so I asked, "Why do you say that?" I tried to keep my voice gentle, afraid of scaring him.

"You never let me eat fast food or ice cream."

He was nearly falling asleep. His voice slurred and was laced with the innocence typical of his age. It left me feeling both amused and exasperated.

He wanted me to divorce his father over trivial things like this? Kids really were naive.

As I listened to his breathing slow and steady, I knew he had fallen asleep.

Just as I was about to get up and leave, a notification sound came from his bedside. I turned back and saw light from under his pillow.

After lifting the corner of the pillow, I spotted a tablet hidden underneath and couldn't help but sigh.

My son was still young, and I was worried about his eyesight, so I had set strict limits on his screen time.

Though he often grumbled about it, he had always followed my rules. But tonight, he had secretly stashed the tablet away.

As I pulled it out and prepared to shut it down, I was caught off guard by the bright screen displaying a group chat.

The group was named "Happy Family" with a smiling emoji. It was clearly named in my son's playful tone, as that was his favorite emoji. The group avatar looked like a family portrait with four people. I zoomed in on the photo and saw a cheerful woman cradling two children.

my son, Zachary Pelham. He held a giant ice cream cone,

the woman was so tender. It was the same way he

needle. A wave of uncontrollable pain washed over me. Yet, my

name Zachary had given her

felt as if I'd been struck by lightning. Trembling, I clicked on her profile. To my shock, her nickname

Steven's first love, Jessica

felt a surreal absurdity wash over me, as if I

his first love. And I was the only one left behind. They had built a new

vice grip on my heart, making it almost

group chat was filled with messages. They overwhelmed my mind as my

family group chat. But apart from me occasionally asking Steven when he'd be home for dinner, it was as silent as a

as I clicked it open. The video was clearly meticulously

chicken, Coke, a Ferris wheel,

joy. Even Steven, who usually hid his emotions, couldn't conceal his indulgence

had the capacity to focus on the other two people

eyes shut with his hands clasped tight while earnestly making a wish in front of a

Ms. Jessie becomes my mommy. I hope Daddy, Ms. Jessie,

Gibson, clapped together, wishing for his dreams to come true. And Steven, too, had

looked just like

I was in so much pain I could

the group sent a voice message. Her voice was lively and cheerful, like that of

wanted me to be your mom. And you said anyone will do, just as long as it's not your current

up happy, I'll be your new mommy in this group chat from

to it over and over again, but I still couldn't believe it. The child

my eyes. Tears streamed