The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Steven was barking through the phone. When I glanced at my screen, I suddenly realized I hadn't blocked his number yet.

"What were you expecting?"

se you didn

didn't pick him up, he waited alone outside t

the

Angered by how nonchalant I sounded, Steven snarled, "Did you know? Because kindergarten. He got home at 9:00 pm."

Treplied calmly, "Mr. Pelham, but I think you're blaming the wrong person Jessica is his mother now. And I..."

I got up and walked out to the balcony. I looked into the distance and saw the starry skies and city lights.

"I'm just a stranger."

took a deep breath and said, "Are you still angry

slowly. "I think there's no need for me to be tied down by

blocked his number. Suddenly, somebody knocked on my door. I opened the door to find Willow and a long-cared bunny

brush her teeth tonight. I woke her up, but... She insisted on looking

too. She said, "My friends say that their Mommy will brush their

s a small wish, so I decided to fulfill her wish. I said, "Do you want to

and said, "In Mommy's

at me

she ran back to her bedroom to collect her cup and toothbrush. She ga eyes. I casually put her bunny doll aside and said, "Let's go." Willow

thanking him, Willow stepped onto the stool and made funny faces

In case I couldn't see her teeth, Willow opened her mouth bigger. I played along with Willow's childish actions, and I found it fun,

exaggeratedly, "Wow, they're so

proudly raised her chin and said,

cheeks when I saw her proud

Willow smiled shyly. She put kids' toothpaste on her toothbrush and stole several glances at me. She couldn't