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 didn't

quickly explained, "I asked to walk around

hot outside," Zane said calmly. "We usually get home around this time. If

not just being polite, so he asked,

Willow, who tugged gently

and asked, "What is

ear, "I want to start

Howard. So, I explained, "Our daughter is kind of a special case. She

nodded understanding. "I

you start with her now?" I patted Willow's shoulder. "She's been looking

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

apologized, "Sorry.

"It's okay."

understood Willow's feelings. Of course a little girl like her would feel uncomfortable around an

asked, "Would you like

She nodded hard.

we train?" I asked,