The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 121

Willow lifted her head, staring blankly at me.

I gently reassured her, "This way, we can directly ask the students what happened."

She still looked down, listless. "Actually, I wanted to ask them today, but I..."

She continued, "I just can't push myself to ask."

"It's okay." I understood. Given her condition, it couldn't be rushed. "We'll take our time. One day, you'll be able to do it."

Willow nodded earnestly with a hum.

In reality, what she hadn't told me was that she really envied those other children with friends.

Willow couldn't help but secretly wish she had a friend. If she could talk to others, she could probably make some good friends, too.

When Zane came back, he shook his head at me.

I felt a little heavy-hearted. It seemed like Holly didn't know the reason, either.

I held Willow's hand and led her to the car.

me and Zane. Even if someone bullied her,

circumstances, Willow would find it difficult to enter elementary or middle school. She would likely be isolated and bullied without knowing

and help her get better as soon as possible

tentatively asked Willow, "How

her courage and said,

"How about

she wanted to ask, like, "Mr. Cruze, have

even though her mouth opened, no

eyes were immediately filled with

knew I wanted her to get better. So, she felt like she had let me down. "I'm sorry, Mommy... I can't

were

I encouraged her instead.

I reassured her, "Yes!"

brightened up a

...

the road, watching the car disappear into the

arms and sneered, "Are

earlier, and Steven had followed him. So, Jessica

the car was out of sight, Zachary slowly answered,