The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 92

Chapter 92

The housekeeper had obviously dealt with Bowena before and knew the latter liked to pick on faults even when there were none. Without explaining, she turned off the television and rose from the couch, saying, "Willow's already asleep " Rowena burned and made her way to Willow's room after that.

Willow was an angel at bedtime and got into bed at 9:00 pm sharp every night. Tonight was no different.

After pulling the blanket over her, she gazed up at me and said, "Mommy, I don't want another princess story."

I blinked in surprise. "Why not?" She used to adore beautiful and delicately made-up princesses.

"The princesses in those fairytales are always waiting for someone to save them." Willow had realized today that waiting for others to rescue her meant she had to suffer in silence for a while. She couldn't even express her frustration and anger until somebody asked her a But things would be different if she learned martial arts. She could live fearlessly and stand up for herself.

She continued, "And I think it's weak of them. I don't like it."

I was shocked. It took me over 20 years, during which time I had endured my fair share of hardship, to learn such lessons. And yet, my five-year-old daughter understood then.

I stared at her chubby cheeks. Relieved, I bent to kiss her forehead and said, "All right." I set the book of fairytales aside and picked up a book on life lessons for children. After that, I began to read to her.

Just then, loud knocks sounded from the door.

Willow frowned and said, "That must be Grandma "Rowena was the only person in the family who knocked like that.

She might not like Rowena, but she got out of bed to open the door anyway.

"Stay put," I said, patting Willow. "I'll get the door."

Willow obediently pulled the blanket over her but could not fall asleep,

I opened the bedroom door to reveal Rowena. "Do you need Willow for something?" I asked courteously.

warily. "Who are you? Why are you in my

words carefully. "I'm

her lips. "Oh,

not all that different from a babysitter, so I didn't bother correcting her. Rowena grumbled, "I don't know what Zane is thinking, hiring two nannies for Willow. It's like he's got nothing better to spend his money on!" She loo This was the woman Willow hated.

as I was about to make up an excuse to turn

the direction of his voice and found Zane walking over to us, the lights bright above him. He

argued, "I'm her grandmother. Do I not have the right to

Zane bit out

him. "What

Then, he warned darkly, "Leave before I run

scurried off.

had so readily acted on his threat to cut her off

all he did was pat me on the shoulder as he said,

tuck Willow in. If you ever run into

Chapter 93

about Zane's low voice as he spoke into

returned to the bedroom, Willow watched me approach her and said softly, "She's always doing that, coming in to talk to me just as I'm about to sleep. I can't speak, so she'd call me names..."

and reassured her, "Your dad isn't married yet because he doesn't want to

he'd be

the altar if ben

truly loved. It's

She nodded.

from earlier and continued reading it to her. Perhaps she found the

chest had finally lifted, for she fell asleep with a smile

while and whispered, "You'll always be my baby, Willow.

Zane standing not too far away when I walked out of Willow's bedroom. I reckoned he was deep in thought, so I did not bother him. I tumed to head to my room and

him calling