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

carefully. "I'm

quirked her lips. "Oh,

know what Zane is thinking, hiring two nannies for Willow.

as I was about to make up an excuse to turn her away, Zane's

Zane walking over to us, the lights bright

grandmother. Do I not have

Zane bit out without

at him. "What did you

he warned darkly, "Leave before I run out of patience,

scurried off.

he had so readily acted on his threat to cut her off

Zane, but all he did was pat me on the shoulder

tuck Willow in. If you ever run into

Chapter 93

something warns and sincere about Zane's low voice as he spoke into the quietude of the

to talk to me just as I'm about to sleep. I can't speak, so she'd call me names..." Resentment filled her voice as she added, "She'd call me a deadweight and said Daddy would have been more willing to settle down if it weren't for

her, "Your dad isn't married

as I comforted her, "Trust me, he'd be rushing to the altar if 1 he hasn't

the altar if ben

he truly loved. It's

She nodded.

reading it to her. Perhaps she found the story interesting,

lifted, for she fell asleep with

and whispered, "You'll always be

Willow's bedroom. I reckoned he was deep in thought, so I did not bother

stopped when I heard him calling me and looked