Chapter 172

No one responded to him.

Jessica sniffled, "Are you still mad at me?"

Steven shook his head. "No."

Tears hung from Jessica's long lashes. "But you keep your guard up around me."

"I don't even know why, Jessica," Steven admitted honestly.

"Whenever I get close to you, there's this uncomfortable feeling in my heart."

It felt as if he was betraying someone.

Jessica blinked, a tear tracing down her cheek. She wiped it away and stayed silent.

She knew that if she allowed Steven to dig deeper, he would eventually realize that he genuinely loved Annalise, not her. That would make it harder for her to get what she wanted. So, she stayed quiet.

Today, Willow was up even earlier than yesterday.

already finished practicing talking to herself in the mirror and was now holding a book, reading with

and cheerful, full of that youthful energy

the door, watching

a while, Willow's face started to

walked over, sitting beside her.

mirror this morning, I didn't know what to say. So, I thought maybe I could read a book and find

couldn't read. I don't know any

gently soothed her, "That's because you haven't started learning

up at me. "Then,

and placed it in front of her. "Before we start with words, we have to start with

away her tears. "Mommy, I want to learn!" She

so I began teaching her phonics, one sound at a time. When it was time for her exercise session, she

more phonics,

I agreed, "Of course."

the

to learn

about adding more work for me. "Maybe we could hire a

in before I could

teacher, I can't practice speaking freely. That wouldn't work,

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