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."

on the spot for quite a while

started backing away. "I'm

"Goodbye," I echoed.

...

flew back to the car. Once the door was closed behind him, he burst into tears. His tears flowed uncontrollably, and he hurriedly wiped them away with his

spoken to

spoke to him sounded like how she would speak to an unfamiliar

through hiccups, "She won't pay any attention

sympathy for the child in front

staring unblinkingly at Annalise as he murmured,

upon which Willow finally made her

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 she continued, "It was Zachary who helped

picked her up

I'd rather be bullied by Cody than let Zachary help

the initiative to ask,

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

opened the car