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.

sprinted to the elevator,

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

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

"I envy Steven now."

...

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

wiped away my tears, but it felt like he couldn't clean them

going on with

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

and turned to look out the window.

him. "Please let me explain,

the seat

first wasn't you," he said as he watched my

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

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

soon as I said that, 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 Jessica to bond with Zachary." "Steven," I cried,

heavier than the

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

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

didn't want to hear his nonsense anymore. I opened the passenger door and tried

Steven stepped in front of me. "When I was with her, all I could think about was that I couldn't betray

tried to sidestep

my path again. "I

words, I

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

that, he pushed me back against the car and cupped

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

pushed him away. "Check on Zachary

snap out of it.