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."

quite a while before finally

backing away.

"Goodbye," I echoed.

...

the door was closed behind him, he burst into tears. His tears flowed uncontrollably, and he hurriedly wiped

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

him sounded 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

any attention to me at all when

for the child in front of

the car window, staring unblinkingly at Annalise

upon which Willow finally made her way over

said quietly, "Mommy, Cody was really bad today. He suddenly ran up to me and told me that he hated me and that he

picked her up

"But I'd

initiative to ask,

you before," replied Willow before she suddenly started to cry. "I don't want

opened the car