The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

"Do you think Zachary will live happily once Steven and that woman get married? You must consider your son's future, Anna. Can you stand the thought of him living in the shadow of his stepsiblings?" Of course, I had a hard time coming to terms with that in the past. I never wanted Zachary to experience even a bit of grievance. But what did that get me?

He did everything, including harming me and himself, just to get me out of the family.

I lost the desire to explain myself and only said, "She's very good to him."

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Mom disliked my response. "But she'll never be able to love him the way you do."

I scoffed. "Actually, she might, judging from the fact that he calls her 'Mommy' every day now."

Mom frowned, obviously surprised that Zachary would behave so out of line. She was momentarily speechles in silence.

only held my hand.

Right then, I had an impulse to vent to her. "Both Steven and Zachary adore that mistress. I've long become the outcast in this family. So, I don't want a family like that anymore."

"You silly child." Mom looked at me with a mix of disappointment and frustration. "Zachary is too young and naive to realize what he's doing. Of course, he likes her because she's nice to her.

"If you're deserting him for such a minor reason, what will happen to him once Steven marries that mistress? She'll definitely leave all the family's inheritance to her own child. By then, Zachary will be left with nothing."

She patiently laid out the pros and cons of me getting a divorce, trying to make me realize how tragic Zachary's life would be if I let him go. But she didn't know that my heart had long turned cold and unfeeling toward Zachary. "He chose her as his mother, so he should bear the consequences."

Seeing how not even the mention of Zachary could persuade me, Mom knew I had completely given up on my family. She patted my hand lightly. "Anna, at least do this for me, alright? Just try and get through it." Hearing that brought me tears of grievance. She was my only family left in this world, yet... she desperately wanted me to stick around people who had hurt me.

exploded. "Get through it? Why do I have to suffer every single

taken aback by my reaction, clearly unprepared for how to continue persuading me. However, I knew what she was thinking. She probably wished I would choose the same path as women in her generation- to get through

thought would be a comforting conversation with my mom ended up being a suffocating one. Without saying more, I left

over me.

the wide road, I watched the bustling pedestrians and the distant

in a vast city, yet not one corner felt like a refuge for

spent the last of my savings buying a grave for my baby. Penniless, I walked back to the

room, I spotted a stranger's back. He was tall, dressed in a suit, and held a little

entered the correct room. This was my As such, I piped up, "Did you guys stumble upon

ward.

and extended his hand at me. "No. We're at the right

Chapter 15

the man's face. His striking features were reminiscent of a celebrity, but he had a cold demeanor. Standing there, he radiated an

remembered this man if I knew him, but I couldn't. No matter how much I tried

to cause a misunderstanding and quickly explained, "Two days ago, we

Oh.

emergency room after following me and hearing the loud thud. I guess

you. You saved my life." He was quite literally my life savior, and I couldn't have just repaid him with verbal thanks. "I don't

"Well, I happen

had been a stay-at-home wife, focusing on taking care of

future-that was now-at that time. However, in many people's eyes, I had long been isolated from society, let

and then said, "Let me introduce myself. My name

he bent down to introduce the quiet little girl beside him, who had a

the girl, extending my hand at her. "Hello, I'm Annalise

to Zane, her expression one of helplessness, but he encouraged her silently

she shook hands with me and took her time to