The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 89

Chapter 89

Yet, Jessica had offered to get Zachary a gaming console. She was probably hoping he would get addicted to gaming so that he would look bad in front of Steven, who would then stop loving him! Zachary was about to speak his mind when he saw the expectant gleam in Steven's eyes. He changed his mind and nodded. "She did well."

"Really?" Steven caressed Zachary's face affectionately. "Since you like Mommy Jessie, the four of us will live together as a happy Jamily from now on."

Jessica might be able to keep up the kind-and-affectionate stepmother act in front of Steven now, but what about in the long run? Zachary was afraid that she would pick on him in the future. As such, he kept quiet and did not give Steven a response,

Upon getting home, Willow set her backpack down and bounded up to me. She recounted excitedly while gesturing, "Zachary apologized to me in front of the class today!" Ifeigned surprise. "Really?"

She nodded solemnly. "Yes! I'm really happy about it."

She then burrowed into my embrace and clutched my arm, adding cheerily, "I went through the same thing back when I wasn't talking to Daddy, but I never told him.

to show that I was upset when he picked me

childlike voice was high and clear. "I kept

Willow's hair. "It must

sharing her triumph for the day, and the next, teardrops gathered in her large eyes

by the other children in class anymore now that your dad's

Willow." I placed my hands on her little shoulders. "Do you want to how you can make them so scared

lit up as she looked at me hopefully. "I

Willow's

course! We'll sign you up for martial

but I continued slowly, "That way, the next time someone says mean things to you and you can't use your words

you aren't the one who stirs up trouble and picks

it. Leaping off the couch, she took