The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 107

It was clear what Jessica was asking. Cody had to have that locket.

But Steven was not playing along. "I've given you plenty of money lately. If you want to give Cody one, take him shopping yourself."

As he spoke, he gently nudged Zachary. "Do you want to open it and see if you like it?"

"Yeah!" Zachary had caught on.

While Steven often sided with Jessica and Cody, he still protected Zachary when it really mattered.

Zachary set the bag aside and opened the jewelry box. Staring at the gleaming gold locket, he declared, "I love it, Daddy!"

a safe place for it, then," Steven said as he patted Zachary's

containing a few bankbooks. They detailed all the money Annalise had saved for him. There were also some property deeds, mostly for retail spaces, which Annalise had bought for him. Zachary started to put the locket

see Steven playing with Cody while Jessica cheered them on. The happy scene only made

like Cody was his real son the next second. Staring back at his desk, he wondered

...

from her bath,

bed. I sat beside her with a storybook, reading patiently. But she

was on her mind, I set down the book. I looked at her and asked,

her face in my chest. "Remember how Zachary

mention of this caught me

when no one was looking. He also promised never to be

spoke, her voice turned sad.