The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 193

I held Willow's hand. "You can't rush things. As long as we keep trying, we'll succeed one day."

Willow looked up at me with a doubtful expression. "Really?"

She slumped against the car window, falling silent for a long while.

I leaned in and gently comforted her.

It was only after a while that Willow's attention shifted.

...

Zachary followed behind, watching Annalise patiently comfort Willow.

He couldn't help but recall how, when he was upset, Annalise would always hold him and gently soothe him. He wished he had appreciated her back then.

When he had Annalise's love, he hadn't truly valued it. It wasn't until he lost it that he realized only Annalise, with her gentle and steady nature, could offer the unconditional love he needed. Zachary couldn't understand how he had lost someone like her.

Just then, his phone rang.

Zachary casually picked it up.

came through, "Zach, I've arranged

Annalise's car. "I'll make sure to study hard

narrowing with a smile. "What time will

sure yet." Zachary often found himself lingering outside Annalise's place, watching her. It gave him an odd sense of peace,

"Can the

responded, "Of

of energy She ran

mirror. Then, she focused on learning

en

SUMS

Willow collapsed on the couch. Her chubby face showed exhaustion beyond

I smiled at her.

doll in front

the doll tightly. She stared at it for a while before

"Grandpa!" Willow exclaimed happily.

love Grandma and Grandpa?" Before either Zane or I could answer, Willow's tears began to fall. She stared at the dolls and fell

the initiative to explain

purpose to her. "Don't you

say to

you can share oft your thoughts with the dolls, as

face, but when she tried