The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 139

Since then, Willow felt that whenever her grandparents saw her, they would be reminded of her parents' deaths. So, she no longer dared to speak to them. She was afraid that her grandparents would hate her. The more I listened, the more my heart ached. "But Willow, the accident wasn't something you could control, was it?"

Willow's eyes were filled with tears.

I continued, "You couldn't have prevented the accident from happening, even if you were in the car. So it's not your fault."

I hugged Willow tightly. "You were a victim, too."

"But..." Willow wailed, "Mom died to protect me."

I helped her smooth her hair. "Your mom loved you very much, Willow. You must know that even if she had to do it all over again, she would still make the same choice." Willow stopped crying, focusing intently on me.

I went on saying, "Even in her final moments, she would have been very grateful that her daughter survived."

Willow asked, "Is that true?"

"Yes." I slowed my speech. "Although she is no longer with you, she absolutely wishes for you to live well and not live in guilt like you are today."

for long before finally

kissed her forehead.

Zane watched Willow silently.

had loved

made her refuse to go with her grandparents. Today, he

was still a child. Did Rowena, as an adult, not consider that Willow

...

"Mommy."

on the window. "Aren't we having barbeque today? Let's go buy the ingredients

parked the car by the

"I've always wanted

the way, she chattered

listened quietly, chiming in with

was to be the helper, pushing the

interested her and, without any hesitation, tossed them all into the cart. She picked out more

few vegetables to the cart to ensure she had a balanced