The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 171

"Hmm?" Steven asked absentmindedly.

Jessica could sense Steven's recent indifference. She could tell he was trying to distance himself, slowly turning them back into strangers. Yet, she hadn't gotten everything she wanted from him, so she couldn't let that happen.

She needed to keep Steven from leaving her, so she spoke with nostalgia in her voice, "This park's been here since our college days." Recalling those innocent, youthful years seemed to ease the heavy weight on Steven's chest, as if someone had lifted a burden.

Steven smiled. "Yeah. Back when we were just broke students with no money for anything else, we'd often come to the park together."

Seeing his willingness to engage, Jessica continued, "Anytime we walked together, everyone would tease us. They'd say we were made for each other and destined to be together. They even tried to set us up."

leaving the

remained silent, not responding to

to him, her voice gentle yet firm. "Steven, did I ever tell you? I really did like you back

so?" Steven looked surprised. "I didn't

too influenced by the lure of money to know what I truly wanted. I

could vividly recall the crushing disappointment he felt upon hearing that Jessica had left town. He felt as though he had been struck. He saw it

admitted to it, but he was already planning their future together, thinking about how to start a business and earn enough to give Jessica a good life. But all of that shattered when she boarded that plane and

softly. "I was so bitter after

apologized, "I'm

my first love. I truly loved you then. Even after I married Annalise, I still wanted to ask you why you left. But as the time passed, I began