The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 9

Steven replied with a hint of helplessness, "Because we have a child."

"That's why you had Jessica secretly contact Zachary, right?" someone asked excitedly. "As long as Zachary accepts Jessica as his mom, you can reunite with her and raise Zachary together." Steven's friends tease him, "You really are smart for planning this out!"

So Steven had orchestrated for Jessica to approach Zachary?

No wonder when he sent Zachary to Chloe's place, she immediately took him to Jessica's house to build that connection. No wonder the kindergarten teachers called Jessica Zachary's mom. And here I was, foolishly trying to convince myself to forgive him.

I was shaking all over, desperately trying to calm myself down, but everything felt hopeless.

Before Steven could reply, his phone rang. He answered immediately, "Yes, Jessica?

"What? Zachary cut his wrist? Hold on. I'll be right there!"

Upon hearing that, I felt like I'd been struck by lightning.

Zachary chose Jessica right there at the school. Logically, he should've been happy after going home with Jessica. So why did he suddenly fall into despair?

I couldn't figure it out.

The blows kept coming, sapping all my strength. I leaned against the wall to stay upright, but my body threatened to collapse. "Zachary..."

Steven rushed into the office. When he saw me, he froze at once.

I wanted to show some strength in front of his friends, but my tears kept flowing.

His friends were stunned as well. They exchanged glances with each other, unsure of what to say.

Seeing how distraught I was, Steven quickly came over and lifted me into his arms. "Zachary's going to be okay, honey. You don't need to worry too much."

I covered my face with my hands, as I didn't want to feel more embarrassed in front of everyone.

practically sprinted to the

one of them asked. "She's

Steven doesn't want to divorce her. If I had such a beautiful wife who loves

"I envy Steven now."

...

car door and helped me into the passenger seat. At this point, I had no strength to resist. I just sat

gently wiped away my tears, but it felt like he

explain, but I didn't want to hear it. "Let's just go to the hospital and see what's going on

on the road. His left hand gripped the

to look out the window.

I'd misunderstand him.

leaned against the seat

you," he said as he watched my reflection in

quickly added, "But after

looked at him. "But when

as I said that, I

all felt so futile. But I decided to speak up anyway. "You don't want a divorce just because you're worried Zachary wouldn't want to come with you. So you've

word felt heavier than

aback by my anger. His voice revealed a hint of panic. "No,

first came back, I did spend some time with her. I thought that would rekindle our old feelings, but it just didn't happen." Just then, the car stopped

to hear his nonsense anymore. I opened the passenger door and tried to get

stepped in front of me. "When I was with her, all I

to

blocking my path again. "I couldn't

words, I looked up

a resigned sigh, he said, "Come on. You're too grown up to be sulking like this before

back against the car and cupped my

if he was safe now. How could I be in the mood to be intimate with

away. "Check on Zachary

seemed to snap out of