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.

to the

them

If I had such a

"I envy Steven now."

...

the passenger seat. At this point, I had no strength to

wiped away my tears, but

to hear it. "Let's just go to the hospital and see what's going on with Zachary."

the wheel while his right

flinched away and turned to look out the window. "Just

misunderstand him. "Please let me explain,

leaned against the seat and closed

first wasn't you," he said as he watched my reflection in the rearview

saw my frown, he quickly added, "But after all these years together

him. "But when Jessica came back, you

said that, I

don't want a divorce just because you're worried Zachary wouldn't want to come with you. So you've made time for Jessica to bond with Zachary." "Steven," I cried, "Zachary has already accepted Jessica as his mom. And

word felt heavier than

revealed a hint of panic. "No, honey.

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

nonsense anymore. I opened the

of me. "When I was with her, all I could think about was

tried to

with me, blocking my

words, I looked up

grown up to be sulking

back against the car and

about was Zachary, who had just cut his wrist. I wondered if he was safe now. How could I be

him away. "Check on Zachary

seemed to snap out of