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."

held her hand. "And I like hearing you talk. Would you chat with

adult, she

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

into a smile. "Let's go

seemingly afraid I'd be upset,

Zane seemed to have

to bring her to

I asked, "What's

head and asked somewhat embarrassingly, "Can you

yes when Zane interjected,

Willow's big eyes

carried her, looking in stark contrast to his usual

"Think about how she fell down the stairs just a few days ago. She bled a lot, and her body hasn't fully recovered yet. Do you know how much

words, Willow cried, "I'm sorry, Mommy. I'm a bad kid. I didn't think

immediately melted at the sight of her

and softly consoled her, "It's okay,

gazed at me, uttering,

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