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

you there?" Steven seemed

didn't know how to face him, but

the letters and the photo on the table, I managed to say, "Just

my desk. You don't have to clean the study. I'll take care of it

him with a smile, saying, "Even I can't

After a long pause,

hanging up the phone, I backed out of the

because he didn't want me to find out that Jessica was the only one

grew colder as my

time I realized that our years as a loving couple

...

reality. I glanced at the wall clock and realized it was already time for

the door,

asked, puzzled. Usually, Steven would pick him

arms around me. "I thought we could enjoy some time together, so I

his chin on my shoulder and spoke in a coy

to him. Once doubt took root, it burrowed

love me dearly, yet he was actually

it was all a facade. Was he genuinely in love with me or just putting

hand rested on my stomach,

back

hesitantly suggested, "Let's have another

taken aback.

the office today," Steven explained calmly. "I used to really like Jessica, but after spending time with her again, I realize that the