The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Meanwhile, Willow was in her bedroom. Her room was huge and decorated like a princess' room from an animated movie- exquisite and lavish.

She wore a princess gown and cradled a bunny plush toy, her back facing the door as she sat on the carpet silently.

Zane was eager to lighten up her mood. "Willow, look who's here."

Willow turned around, ignored him, and stayed silent. He couldn't help but turn to me with a helpless look.

Although this was my job, I had always wanted a daughter. Besides, Willow looked like an adorable princess. As such, I started to take a liking to her.

Pretending to be grumpy, I said, "Oh, so Willow doesn't want me here."

Once she heard my voice, she quickly turned around, shot up, and hurried to me. Then, she shook her head.

I crouched down to meet her eyes. "Why aren't you talking to me? Do you dislike me? Is that why you're not speaki{

Willow was ready to shake her head again, but perhaps worried I would misunderstand her intentions, she said, "No. I like you a lot."

like you, too, Willow." I held her hand. "And I like hearing you talk. Would you chat with me more

an adult, she sighed.

hadn't spoken in a long time, it would be too much to ask of her to initiate conversations with me. Thus, I took the lead. "I heard you haven't been eating lately. Are you hungry?" Willow

into a smile.

but seemingly afraid I'd be upset, she enunciated,

Zane seemed to have

held Willow's hand and was ready to bring her to

asked,

embarrassingly, "Can you carry me to the

was about to say yes

Willow's big eyes turned

in stark contrast to his usual

a lot, and her body hasn't fully recovered yet. Do you know how much she will be in pain if she carries you?" Honestly,

"I'm sorry, Mommy. I'm

at the

behind Zane, held Willow's hand, and softly consoled her, "It's okay, Willow. Don't take it to

at me, uttering,

her tears with another hand. "But you understood and felt sorry for me, didn't you? You didn't