The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 3

Steven gripped my chin with his other hand. His grip was firm and unyielding, preventing me from turning away. Following that, his lips pressed down on mine. "You'll enjoy it."

...

Zachary was in his final year of kindergarten. School started at 8:00 am sharp every day.

The kindergarten was a 20-minute drive from home. To make sure he wasn't late, we would leave by 7:30 am every morning, so I woke up at 6:30 am to prepare breakfast. That morning's breakfast was simple-ravioli I had prepared the night before.

What was a bit more work was the soup base. I had to make fresh chicken soup.

I laid some herbs at the bottom of the pot, placed a whole cleaned chicken inside, and added some vegetables on top. I covered the pot and let it boil on high heat.

Once it started boiling, I lifted the lid, and the rich aroma of chicken soup filled the kitchen. I added a bit of salt, then lowered the heat to let it simmer.

After finishing everything, I left the kitchen satisfied and went to the walk-in closet to pick out outfits for Zachary and Steven.

Steven, as the CEO of his company, dressed more formally. Zachary, being a child, mostly wore comfortable and practical clothes.

Once I laid out the outfits in their respective bedrooms, they were almost done getting ready.

I took that opportunity to ladle the chicken soup and cook the ravioli. The chicken soup was already hot, so it didn't take long to boil. I put enough ravioli for all three of us into the pot and waited quietly for it to cook. "Mommy!"

I turned around upon hearing Zachary's angry voice and saw him rushing toward me with his tablet.

He was furious. "Did you delete Ms. Jessie's contact and leave the group chat we were in?"

I looked at his flushed, angry face and shook my head. "No."

But I could understand Zachary's feelings. He was still too young to grasp right from wrong.

In his eyes, Jessica let him indulge in things. He could eat freely and play as he pleased. So, to him, Jessica was his favorite person.

Even if we adults cut off his connection with Jessica for his own good, he wouldn't be able to accept it.

I had prepared myself for his anger, but I hadn't expected his words to be so hurtful.

"Who else would do that other than you?" Zachary glared at me. "No wonder everyone says Daddy doesn't like you! Women like you, who want to control every detail of other people's lives, don't deserve to be loved!" Even though I had anticipated him losing control and saying extreme things, I still told myself that I should be understanding. I was his mother, after all.

effortlessly piercing through my tough facade

I was really so

trembled uncontrollably. "Daddy doesn't like me? Then, who

cheeks. "Ms. Jessie, of course! He

mind went blank. "How do

else would he always take me

innocent, straightforward response only made his words

like Jessica, he wouldn't have kept in contact with her. Their recent interactions had

a sharp pain shot through me.

he doesn't want me to end up in a single-parent family like you,

you, you'll

his voice still soft and innocent. But the things he said were far beyond what I could imagine-so extreme and

only saying these things

ravioli was done. The aroma filled my

bowl. Worried it might be

took the bowl with both hands and

with a loud crash, and the chicken

how much you can throw a fit. Have you forgotten all the

flared up as well. Our eyes locked, neither of us

wanted, was visibly unhappy. After pushing me, he cried as

me very hard, but I

in disbelief at Zachary's retreating

age and undeveloped sense of judgment, he often said and did the wrong

me, I would explain to him calmly afterward what was

made you sad, did I? I'll remember that, and I won't say it again." Then, he'd nuzzle his face against

against the

he become like this? Was it really because of

on myself

and didn't understand that everything I did was for his own good. All

indulgence made him feel relaxed, so he slowly drifted toward her

eased up on him, would it mend our

another bowl from the

was now ruined, but Steven hadn't eaten yet. Unlike before, I didn't serve him his

admit that my mind was a jumble of thoughts