The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Steven asked carefully, "You won't mind, will you, honey?"

"Oh, so she made me fall down the stairs and have a miscarriage, but you feel sorry that she's getting beaten up by her ex-husband instead." I snickered. "You're such a good samaritan."

"Honey!" Steven rose angrily. "I know you're sad that we lost our baby, but you know damn well that it was Zachary who called you to the stairwell. You slipped and fell-it had nothing to do with her!"

He continued, "I can't believe you don't see how much of a danger she's in now, especially as a woman. If you can't sympathize with her, the least you can do is shut your mouth. Gosh, I'm so disappointed in you! "Anyway, whether you agree or not, Jessica will be moving in with us."

With that, he left exasperatedly.

See? This was Steven-always blaming me, no matter how much I was hurt or bullied. I never retaliated, yet I couldn't vent for more than two sentences without being cast as the bad guy.

I used to love him so much that I willingly accepted this treatment, but not anymore... Not this time.

cold gaze, I lay quietly on my hospital bed and stared at the

home because I didn't want to see Steven and Zachary-the revolting father and son-yet the

went to Mom's place early the next morning. Ever since I married, I barely had time to return to my old home and visit her. Eventually, she moved to the city because she missed me too much. At the very least, I would feel more at

door, delight spreading across her face as soon as she saw me. "Oh, my!

walked up to her and embraced her with open arms, smiling and

"You're a mom now. Why

had settled in my heart over the past

I spilled my guts. "Mom,

her shut the door instantly, and she rushed over to me.

maybe because I almost

response, but before I could speak, she seemed

and asked, "Did he

there was something else worse than

to tell her the full story, as I didn't want her to mourn over my míserable marriage.

bound to happen in a marriage. And when we encounter issues in our relationship, we must