The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 178

Zane picked up a folder on his desk.

In his own opinion, his feelings for Annalise had reached far deeper than he himself had imagined.

...

Willow seemed to especially like the new friend she'd made.

Most of the other children had already gone home. However, she was still reluctant to walk out of the school gates, her small hand holding tightly onto another girl's even as she stared fixedly at her. I was also happy that she had made a new friend, so naturally, I didn't press her.

"Ms. Annalise, Cody was bullying Willow in school again."

At the sound of the familiar voice, I lowered my head to look.

Zachary's hands clutched tightly at the hem of his shirt as he looked up at me, continuing, "But I stood up to him for Willow, so he didn't succeed."

As if I was just speaking to another one of Willow's classmates, I replied calmly and politely, "Thank you."

stood frozen on the spot for quite a while before finally

backing away. "I'm leaving

"Goodbye," I echoed.

...

to the car. Once the door was closed behind him, he burst

understand. He'd already fulfilled his wish and spoken to Annalise, so

like how she would speak to an unfamiliar child? Harry watched him crying miserably and made an attempt to console him by asking, "Since calling her such makes you so upset,

replied through hiccups, "She won't pay any attention to

feeling sympathy for the child

window, staring unblinkingly at Annalise as he murmured, "Mommy... I miss you

upon which Willow finally made her way over

"Mommy, Cody was really bad today. He suddenly ran up to me and told me that he hated me and that he would still bully me in the future." Her voice became even quieter as

picked her up

I'd rather be bullied

the initiative

suddenly started to cry. "I don't want you to be

opened the car