The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 5

What?

That short sentence left me in shock. I struggled to comprehend what I had just heard.

I stared at Steven in disbelief. Hadn't he said he took Zachary to his mom's place?

His mom knew about Zachary's health and would never let him eat something that could upset his stomach. So, why was Zachary in the hospital? And more importantly, how did Jessica know about his condition?

"Which hospital?" Steven hurriedly picked up the clothes he had dropped and quickly got dressed.

Jessica's voice trembled on the phone as she cried out the name of the hospital.

Worry for Zachary propelled me to follow Steven as he rushed out. Only then did he notice me.

I could sense my expression was dark, teetering on the brink of a meltdown, yet I managed to rein in my anger.

He opened the car door and got in, while I slid into the passenger seat beside him. We sat in silence for the entire 20-minute drive.

The chaotic thoughts flooding my mind gradually became clearer as the minutes passed.

So, Steven had been telling me he and Zachary would sever ties with Jessica while secretly taking Zachary to her. To distract me from noticing something was off, he had even used wanting another child as an excuse to keep me occupied. I turned to look out the window.

It seemed like I was the only one in our family who wanted to restore our lives and live well together. Their hearts had already tilted toward Jessica.

When we arrived at the hospital, I dashed straight to the IV room. In the vast space, I spotted Zachary all alone. He was leaning against the wall, clearly asleep.

I walked over to him. As I looked at his innocent sleeping face, a mix of anger and sympathy surged within me.

He was still so young and unaware of what was good and bad. Those so-called adults knew well enough about his sensitive stomach, yet they still indulged him, causing him to end up in the hospital repeatedly.

that the very person responsible for his hospitalization had

I forced myself to stay calm and sat beside Zachary. I gently propped his head up against me to ensure he was

stay-at-home mom to take care of Zachary, and this is how you do your job?"

see Steven's mother,

own failures, she felt the need to attack first. "Under your so-called meticulous

would endure conflicts with Steven's family, as I didn't want to put him in an

wake Zachary, I lowered my voice, though anger seeped through. "Chloe, you know who ruined Zachary's stomach more

most of his time with you. If you took good care of him, his stomach wouldn't be so weak that he ends up in the hospital for

head and locked

afternoon finally exploded, and I growled, "But when I took care of Zachary, he never had

was rendered

and asked Steven to drop him off at your place after

you both not to give him just anything to eat. And what did you

it wasn't a big deal. Besides, they loved Zachary, so I figured a simple conversation would be enough.

but you also sent Zachary to Jessica! You let him

hours later, he was

of sadness wash over

her mouth, wanting to retort,

"I know you look down on me. I

make my life miserable, that's one thing. But Zachary is your grandson, and he's

taken aback that I, her usually

was about to teach me a lesson, Steven rushed in, cutting her off, "Enough,

during conflicts with his family. This was one of the reasons I had loved him

"You brat! Didn't you hear how she

hardened as he stood beside me. "Did she say anything

was at a

wouldn't be in contact with Jessica again, yet you

looked at him in surprise. He

say but ultimately