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 a tutor for you, just like

on Annalise's car. "I'll make sure

a smile. "What

outside Annalise's place, watching her. It gave him an odd sense of peace,

asked, "Can the

responded, "Of

full of energy She ran

mirror. Then, she focused on

en

SUMS

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

I smiled at her.

custom-made doll in front of her.

doll tightly. She stared at it for a while before asking, "Is this Grandma?" Zane nodded

"Grandpa!" Willow exclaimed happily.

make these for me because you know how much I love Grandma and Grandpa?" Before either Zane or I could answer, Willow's tears began to fall. She stared at the dolls

the initiative to

to her. "Don't

to say to Grandma

to say it in front of them? Now, you can share oft your thoughts with the dolls, as

face, but when she tried to speak, no words came