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.

very person responsible for his hospitalization had left him here alone, indifferent to

calm and sat beside Zachary.

Steven let you be a stay-at-home mom to take care of Zachary, and this is how you do your job?" A sharp accusatory voice sliced

Steven's mother, Chloe Ashton, walking

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

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

seeped through.

do," Chloe retorted with a scoff. "Zachary 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

raised my head and

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

rendered

and asked Steven to drop him off

warned you both not to give him just

deal. Besides, they loved Zachary, so I figured a simple conversation would be enough. I believed they would pay more

but you also sent Zachary to Jessica! You let him develop a bond with that homewrecker! It was the same

a few hours later, he was at Jessica's place,

I had seen Zachary alone in the hospital and felt a wave of sadness wash over me. "Jessica just walked away after bringing him here.

retort, but she couldn't

down on me. I understand you only accept Jessica

you want to hate me or make my life miserable, that's one thing. But Zachary

seemed taken aback that I, her usually gentle daughter-in-law, would dare to

to teach me a lesson, Steven rushed in, cutting

conflicts with his family. This was one

bubbled up. "You brat! Didn't you hear

beside

at a loss for

in contact with Jessica again, yet you still sent Zachary to

at him in surprise. He had been unaware

but ultimately held her tongue. She just shot me a