The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 2

I held the tablet tightly as I walked out of Zachary's room and headed straight for Steven's study. I just couldn't understand why it had to be Jessica. The first time I heard that name was at our wedding.

Back then, Steven treated me so well. Whenever I felt down, he'd comfort me, saying, "It's okay. Nobody's perfect." And he'd patiently stay with me until I felt better. When I got sick, he dropped everything to take care of me.

Because of that, I decided to marry him, even though it meant moving far away.

As I stood in my wedding dress, clutching a bouquet, dreaming about our future, I overheard his friends chatting about his first love.

"I thought Steven and Jessica would end up together. They loved each other so much back then."

"Yeah, they really were the perfect couple."

"What a shame."

Their genuine regret made me question whether Steven truly loved me. Just as I was about to confront him, I saw him approach them with a dark expression. His voice carried an intensity of anger I had never heard before.

"I've told you countless times that I hate Jessica! Perhaps I didn't make it clear before, so listen carefully now. If you ever mention her again in front of me, we're done!" Hearing those words eased my anxiety. He didn't just not love Jessica. He actually despised her.

But now, I couldn't shake the feeling of doubt. Why did he bring Zachary to see her after she returned, then?

For the first time, I questioned the happiness of my marriage.

I didn't knock on the door like I usually would. Instead, I pushed it open directly.

Steven was buried in work, but when he heard the door, he turned around. The moment he saw me, he dropped everything and walked over. "What's wrong, honey?"

His voice was gentle, like we were still in the honeymoon phase.

concerned tone, my tears flowed uncontrollably. Even at this moment, he still

same person who had betrayed

wasn't heavily muscled, but his regular workouts gave him a well-proportioned physique

as I

more, but I cut him off, saying, "I saw the group

from

vision. Did he really

'Happy Family' group chat

him hard. Steven stepped closer and wrapped his arms around me while gently

felt tense, like a

on creating that

experiences had they shared that made him feel close enough to

wanted to shift the blame, completely ignoring that the

shut my eyes.

his name drained me of all my strength. "I saw everything, so don't treat me like

Steven fell silent.

what felt like an eternity, but no response came. I turned to leave

is mostly my fault. I didn't think it through. I just wanted to help you with all the

find even a day to spend with me and Zachary, yet he

let go. "I didn't

with Zachary. We'll block and delete her contact as well. Please give me another chance, Annalise. I promise to treat you well from now on. And I'll keep my distance

everything we've been through, and for Zachary's sake... Please

made me

was so young. He didn't understand anything. Just a little time with Jessica had started to distort his

he was

I really got divorced and let Steven be with Jessica, Zachary would be the one to suffer in the end. So I had no choice

just a single word, but it was