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

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

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

"I envy Steven now."

...

point, I had no strength to resist. I just sat there, letting him fasten

my tears, but

going on with Zachary."

on the road. His left hand gripped the

flinched away and turned to look out the window.

him. "Please let me

seat and closed

first wasn't you," he said as he

"But after all these years together and raising a child

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

I said that, I broke

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

heavier than

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

Jessica first 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 in

anymore. I opened the passenger door and tried to

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

tried to

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

words, I looked up at

on. You're too grown up to be sulking like

pushed me back against the car and cupped my

if he was safe now. How could I be in the mood to be intimate with Steven

pushed him away. "Check on

to snap out