The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 104

Steven was heartbroken, too. He patted Zachary's back gently. "You still have Mommy Jessie." Zachary's crying stopped abruptly.

Thinking his words had helped, Steven continued, "She'll treat you even better than Mommy did."

"No, she won't." Zachary pulled away from Steven's embrace. "Daddy..." His tone turned serious. "Please stop lying to me. I may be a kid, but I understand everything." Before Steven could respond, Cody spoke up, "Daddy, can we go home?"

Steven turned to look at him.

Cody frowned. "I'm hungry."

"Let's head back, then." Steven quickly decided. "We can't let you go hungry."

Zachary stood frozen, watching as Steven walked away holding Cody's hand.

His own dad had also become someone else's dad without him even realizing it. Since when had everything turned out this way?

Zachary could not figure it out.

...

arts coach, Howard Lardon, arrived early. When we pulled up to the mansion, we found him-who was rather unfamiliar-standing awkwardly in the courtyard. Zane casually asked Richard, "Why

quickly explained, "I asked to

said calmly. "We usually get home around this time. If you arrive early next time, please wait inside, where

being polite, so he

at Willow, who tugged gently

down and asked,

ear, "I want to

too shy to answer Howard. So, I explained, "Our daughter is kind of a special case. She doesn't like talking to

nodded understanding.

start with her now?" I patted Willow's shoulder. "She's been looking forward to this for

Howard crouched down to look at Willow. He said, "I'm Howard Lardon. What's

"Sorry.

"It's okay."

like her would feel uncomfortable around an unfamiliar

"Would you like me to

She nodded hard.

train?" I asked, holding Willow's