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

Annalise?" one of them asked. "She's

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

"I envy Steven now."

...

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

and gently wiped away my tears, but it felt

but I didn't want to hear it. "Let's just go to the hospital and see what's going on with Zachary." Worried about Zachary's safety, Steven quickly shut the door, started

His left hand gripped the

to look out the window. "Just

him. "Please

the seat and closed my

the person I loved at first wasn't you," he said

quickly added, "But after all

I opened my eyes and looked at him. "But when Jessica came

said that, I broke

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 made time for

word felt heavier

my anger. His voice revealed a hint

I did spend some time with her. I thought that would rekindle

hear his nonsense anymore. I opened the passenger

me. "When I was with her, all I could think about was that I couldn't betray

to

with me, blocking my path again. "I couldn't betray

those words, I looked up at

You're too grown

that, he pushed me back against the car and cupped my face,

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

pushed him away. "Check on

snap