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.

I lay quietly on my hospital bed and

to see

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

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

and embraced her with open arms, smiling and coquettishly saying, "I missed

hug and patted my back lightly. "You're a mom now.

settled in my heart over

arriving at the living room, I spilled my guts. "Mom, I want to

made her shut the door instantly, and

maybe because I almost died in

my response, but before I could speak, she seemed to sense what was

"Did he cheat on

there was something else

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

hand. "I understand that he's at fault... But Anna, issues are bound to happen in a marriage. And when we encounter issues in our relationship, we must try everything in our power to