The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 184

I reluctantly accepted his explanation. "Alright, then."

Zane let out a light laugh.

...

Steven opened his eyes and immediately noticed the absence of Jessica, who had always been beside him just days ago. His mood lifted at the sudden emptiness.

He got up and walked to Zachary's bedroom door, knocking lightly. "Time to get up! I'll take you to school today."

There was no answer.

Steven casually opened the door, only to find the room empty.

It was then he remembered that Zachary had spent the night at Chloe's house.

Steven made his way to the living room and sat down. It felt like everything had changed since he and Annalise had separated. The house no longer felt warm. Instead, it was cold and distant, the silence more suffocating than comforting.

...

girl arrived earlier than usual. When we dropped Willow off, we saw her standing at the

say goodbye to us before she ran over to the little girl. The little girl took

had done the other day, she listened patiently and focused entirely on her new

a surge of relief. Though Willow still couldn't speak with others, it was reassuring to see her make a friend. I turned to Zane and said, "Let's go." Zane nodded.

though he didn't need to drop Zachary off, Steven still found himself at the kindergarten. He leaned against

to tell her that Jessica had moved out of the house,

were just living apart for now their

telling Annalise even accomplish? What if she wanted to get back together with him? And if that happened, how would

...

office, I immediately

message. "We've received the four sketches you sent over. We had a meeting and

find it was the

I quickly replied, "Alright."

my main job. I turned on my

my phone. Since it was my break time, I