The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 49

Chapter 49

"I don't like that," Willow said.

As Willow spoke, I looked up and saw Jessica's son standing on the slide, staring at me.

His gaze lacked the cordiality of a friend's and instead held an unsettling maturity that didn't match his age. At that moment, he looked at me with pure disgust.

I had initially wanted to keep my distance from them. Aside from wanting to gather evidence to expose Jessica's true nature, I had no desire to contact them again. Yet they had come right up to me.

Perhaps it was because I had always endured their provocations and bullying in the past that they thought I was easy to push around. Now, they had even bullied Willow. If I didn't fight back, they would likely continue to push their luck.

Imasked my cold expression and gently said to Willow, "But if you run away when others are bullying you, they'll just double down on bullying you. Do you understand, Willow?"

Willow obviously didn't understand. She looked at Zane and asked, "Daddy, is that so?"

Zane nodded. "Exactly."

climb up to continue playing when I grabbed his arm. Upon seeing me, he showed no effort to hide his disgust. But I ignored him and asked, "What did you just say to my daughter?" He looked surprised. "She can't talk,

to tell you that not only can she speak, but she repeated everything you just said word for

bullying me!" Jessica, who was far away, finally noticed what was happening. She put down her phone and walked

it. "It's normal for kids to have some

give

didn't expect my response.

daughter!" 1 stated firmly, leaving no room

parent must stand by them. Otherwise,

them suffer than defend them. In the future, they

strong stance, Jessica started to act unreasonably.

two steps closer, challenging me, "What are you going to

Zachary's mom, and you should be

darted away. "He is playing another