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 elevator, leaving his friends

of them asked. "She's hotter than I

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

"I envy Steven now."

...

opened the car door and helped me into the passenger seat. At this point,

and gently wiped away my tears, but it felt like

see what's going on with Zachary." Worried about Zachary's

the road. His left hand gripped the wheel while his right reached

flinched away and turned to look out the

I'd misunderstand him. "Please let

against the seat and closed my

person I loved at first wasn't you," he said as he watched my reflection

he quickly added, "But after all these years together and

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

I said that, I broke

worried Zachary wouldn't want to come with you. So you've made time for

felt heavier than the

taken aback by my anger. His voice revealed a hint of

thought that would rekindle our old feelings, but it just didn't happen." Just then, the

nonsense anymore. I opened the passenger door and tried

her, all I could think about was that

tried to sidestep

my

I looked up

a resigned sigh, he said, "Come on. You're too grown up

against the car and cupped my face,

if he was safe now. How could

him away. "Check

to snap out of it.