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?

Zachary home and then give him a good talking-to. She

been getting home late for

of us to spend some time together. You

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

phone in disbelief as the call ended. She nearly smashed it to the ground

front door swung open, and

she switched gears and softened her

listen to her, he would

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

and Jessica gradually calmed

he said, "This is the second time Cody's been picking on a

Jessica's heart sank.

right. Instead of guiding him to do better, you're blaming the person

a kid! He's being alienated by his classmates because of Willow. It's not like he actually did anything to her. He just said a few harsh things. That's all. Is that really so bad?" Steven looked at Jessica and didn't

Cody was acting that way to defend her, which made it

me today. She said Cody's behavior is starting to