The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 179

Zachary didn't argue back. Instead, he simply said, "But if I don't go see her, it feels like there's this empty space inside me... Like something's missing." Harry sighed.

Worried that he might forget later, Zachary took the initiative and said, "Make sure to drop me off at Grandma's place tonight."

Harry was confused. "Why?"

Zachary explained, instantly distracted from his tears, "Think about it-Cody picked on Willow, and I helped Willow out. Cody felt wronged, so he'll definitely tell his mother what happened. If I go home, I'd be walking right into a trap, right?" Harry nodded thoughtfully. "You're right."

...

Just as Zachary predicted, Cody wasted no time telling Jessica what happened at school the moment he got home.

Jessica had noticed Cody's sour expression on the way home, but she hadn't known why. After hearing Cody's story, her anger flared.

Someone dared mess with Cody? Did they think she would do nothing?

and then give him a good talking-to. She called him, pretended she didn't know anything, and said, "Why

he played along. "I've been getting home late for

didn't waver as she lied, "Your father said he'd like all four of us

ahead," Zachary replied, unfazed. "I've got things to take

call ended. She nearly

then, the front door swung open, and

as she switched gears

to her, he would surely listen to his

Zachary to come back, so she recounted Cody's story to him. She even embellished the details as she went. Frustrated, she said,

immediately, and

is the second time Cody's been picking on a little girl in kindergarten,

Jessica's heart sank.

Cody's behavior isn't right. Instead of guiding him to

by his classmates because of Willow. It's not like he actually did anything to her. He just said a

that Cody was acting that way to defend her, which

behavior is starting to affect other kids, and she suggested transferring him to another