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.

for his hospitalization had left him here alone,

deep breath, I forced myself to stay calm and sat beside Zachary. I gently propped his

take care of Zachary, and this is how you do your job?" A sharp accusatory voice sliced through

see Steven's mother,

failures, she felt the need to attack first. "Under your so-called meticulous care, Zachary's stomach problems have been getting worse every few days." Was she trying to

family, as I didn't want to put him in an awkward position. But Zachary was my bottom line.

anger seeped through.

spends 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

my head and locked

growled, "But when I took care of Zachary, he never had to

rendered speechless.

"Since you mentioned wanting to see Zachary and asked Steven to drop him off at your place after

just anything

had my grievances with the Pelhams. But I always thought it wasn't a big deal. Besides, they loved Zachary, so I figured a simple conversation would

you ignore my warnings, but you also sent Zachary to Jessica! You let him develop a bond

came home and told me he'd sent Zachary to your place. Just a few hours later, he was at Jessica's place, throwing

recalled the moment I had seen Zachary alone in the hospital and felt a wave of sadness wash over me.

retort, but

struggled to speak. "I know you look down on me.

me or make my life miserable, that's one thing. But Zachary is your grandson, and he's still so young.

aback that I, her usually

to teach me a lesson, Steven rushed

with his family.

up. "You brat! Didn't you hear how she just spoke to

beside me. "Did

at a loss for

"I made it clear that I wouldn't be in contact with Jessica again, yet you still sent Zachary to her. This has started to

I looked at him in surprise. He had been unaware of this

lot to say but ultimately held her tongue. She just shot me a venomous