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.

the elevator, leaving his

one of them asked.

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

"I envy Steven now."

...

the passenger seat. At this point, I had no strength to resist. I just sat there, letting

away my tears,

going on with Zachary." Worried about Zachary's safety, Steven quickly shut the

gripped the wheel while his right reached

to look out

misunderstand him.

seat and

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

saw my frown, he quickly added, "But after all these years together and raising a child

point, I opened my eyes and looked at him. "But when Jessica came back, you realized you still

soon as I said that, I broke

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 Jessica to bond with Zachary." "Steven," I cried, "Zachary has already accepted Jessica as his mom. And what about you? When do you

word felt heavier

by my anger. His voice revealed

her. I thought that would rekindle our old

want to hear his nonsense anymore. I opened the passenger

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

tried to sidestep

with me, blocking my path again. "I

I looked up at

"Come on. You're too grown up to be sulking

me back against the car and cupped my

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

pushed him away. "Check on Zachary

seemed to snap out of it.