The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 45

Chapter

45

I

After we sat down, the waiter handed us the menu to take our orders.

pizza, describing the toppings on each one.

She nodded eagerly. "Yummy."

After going through the options, I asked her, "Which one do you want to try?"

Willow blinked and replied, "I want them all."

back to Zane and let him decide. Zane surely doted on Willow. He turned to the waiter

waiter replied politely,

and chattered excitedly, "Mommy, guess what?1 overheard my classmates talking about Zachary.

up. He has to wait at the school gate until after 9:00 pm every day." Kids couldn't hold back their thoughts. They

dumb? He had such a great mommy, but he didn't appreciate it and chose a bad one instead." "Willow." I held her

should we waste time on people who don't

stood up, hugged me, and gave me a big kiss. "From now on, I'll only

listening, finally looked up and observed me intently. After a moment, he teased Willow, "So, does that mean you won't care about

answering hesitantly,

it, but he didn't mind. His usually stern face

she went through. But now, whether it was good or bad, she was willing to speakup. It was clear she was getting better,

"Wait

softer. Jessica had become so mean. She wasn't like this

got up, walked over, and handed him her phone.

retorted in a low voice, "But