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.

were like a sharp arrow, effortlessly piercing through my tough facade and driving

really so detestable in

uncontrollably. "Daddy doesn't like me?

his cheeks. "Ms. Jessie, of course! He told me himself that he liked her

went blank. "How do you

told me, of course. Why else would he always take me to play with

response only made his

in contact with her. Their

pain

end up in a single-parent family

you'll cling to him

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

only saying these things because he was upset. But my hands still trembled

was done.

about Zachary's words as I served him a bowl. Worried it might be too hot for

the bowl with both hands and slammed

shattered with a loud crash, and the chicken ravioli

Pelham! There's a limit to how much you can throw

eyes locked, neither of us willing to back

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

very hard, but I still stumbled

stared in disbelief at Zachary's retreating

young age and undeveloped sense of judgment,

him calmly afterward what was wrong. He'd then figure out how to fix

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

myself against the stove. My

become like this? Was it really because of my parenting

on

been too strict with him before. He was young and didn't understand

him feel relaxed, so he

eased up on him, would

bowl

eaten yet. Unlike before, I didn't serve him his

to admit that my mind was a jumble of thoughts at