The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 182

The more Zachary cried, the more devastated he felt.

"I miss Mommy."

Chloe wrapped her arms around him. "Why don't you call her? Maybe she'll come back to see you."

Zachary sobbed and said, "She doesn't want me anymore."

Chloe's face darkened with frustration. "No matter what, you're her biological son. How could she be so heartless?"

Zachary winced at her words. It was because he had done things to disappoint Annalise. In the past, he didn't realize the consequences of doing such things. But now, seeing how Annalise treated Willow so well and how she treated him indifferently... It stung deeply.

He couldn't help but feel guilty. How much had Annalise suffered when he had hurt her?

Chloe was so angry that she started to curse Annalise.

Zachary gently tugged on Chloe's sleeve. "Grandma, it's not Mommy's fault."

are already at this point, yet

he shifted the topic quickly. "Grandma, I want to study. Could you hire me a

and write. That way, Zachary could write down all his thoughts, feelings, and guilt about Annalise. If he didn't do that, he feared he might go crazy. Chloe smiled at the suggestion,

to head upstairs. In his room, he flicked on the light and got ready for a shower. Just as he was about to step into the bathroom, his phone buzzed. It was a call from

asked, "Are you coming home

didn't hesitate to answer, "No, I'm

knew if he went back, all he would

Zachary was thinking, and he explained without being prompted, "I just bought

was as sharp as ever, and he grasped the key point. "You bought them a house? Did you just give

understand why Zachary would ask such a question, but he still answered,

know how to respond. It was only now that he

had been married for six years, and in all that time, Steven never once thought to give Annalise anything. But now, Steven had bought Jessica an

replied, "Sure. Do

"The house that I

...

have been exhausted today. She didn't even wait for me to finish the story

in gently, making sure the blanket covered her snugly, and then tiptoed out of her room, quietly shutting the door