The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 4

Did Steven write this letter to Jessica on the eve of our wedding?

The other letter was Jessica's response to him.

"I put your letter inside mine and sent it back. I'm very happy now, Steven. I hope I can have your blessings. And please don't contact me again. I'm afraid my husband will misunderstand." As I read through the letters, the puzzle pieces fell into place, creating a nearly complete picture.

My grip tightened around the mop handle.

Before this, I couldn't understand why Steven harbored such hatred toward Jessica, his first love. It turned out to be because she had betrayed him before.

It seemed that he had convinced himself to overlook her past mistakes and the pain she had caused him, longing only for her return. But unfortunately, Jessica had still rejected him.

At this moment, everything clicked. I finally understood why his friends' mention of Jessica at our wedding had caused such an intense reaction from him.

But why was he bringing out these letters now? Was he trying to remind himself of Jessica's cruelty, solidifying his resolve to keep her at a distance and cherish our life together?

Or was he worried that Jessica still wouldn't take him back, even after he sacrificed everything and faced the blame for abandoning his wife?

I shut my eyes, a wave of pain almost knocking me unconscious.

Perhaps Zachary was right. The only person Steven loved was Jessica. So, when he considered a future with her, he had never thought about the damage his choices would cause me. I stood in the study for what felt like an eternity until the ringing of my phone finally jolted me back to reality. I picked it up, my heart still heavy.

"Hey, honey," Steven's voice came through, low and charming. He remained as gentle as ever. "What are you doing?"

Steven had always been thoughtful and kind around me.

Concerned that I might feel uneasy in this unfamiliar city, he surrounded me with tenderness, even in the way he spoke.

have felt

life together, while he was desperately pleading for his first love to return. He might even have complained to his friends about how my arrival disrupted his reconciliation

seemed surprised when

face him, but I

the photo on the table, I managed to say,

my desk. You don't have to clean the study. I'll

would have teased him with a smile,

wouldn't come out. After a long pause, I finally managed to say

backed

because he didn't want me to find out that Jessica was the only one he ever truly loved? Or perhaps he was secretly planning to abandon me and start a true family of four with

heart grew colder

time I realized that our years as a

...

wall clock and realized it was

the door,

Zachary?" I asked, puzzled. Usually, Steven would pick

want to come home." Steven stepped closer and wrapped his arms around me. "I thought we could enjoy some time together, so I

rested his chin on my shoulder and

to respond to him. Once doubt took root, it burrowed deep and began

he seemed to love me dearly, yet he was

but I couldn't shake the feeling that it was all a facade. Was he genuinely in love with me or just

my stomach, gently caressing

back

hesitantly suggested, "Let's

taken

Steven explained calmly. "I used to really like Jessica, but after spending time with her again, I realize that the days I've spent with you have truly made