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

an adult,

to ask of her to initiate conversations with me. Thus, I

a smile. "Let's go eat,

afraid I'd

Zane seemed

bring her to the dining area

I asked, "What's

her head and asked somewhat embarrassingly, "Can you carry me to the living

yes when Zane interjected,

big

stark contrast

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 she will be in pain if she carries you?" Honestly, I was surprised by Zane. I didn't expect a CEO who ran a

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

heart immediately melted at the sight

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

gazed at

and felt sorry for me, didn't you? You