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.

voice came through, "Zach, I've arranged a tutor for you,

Annalise's car. "I'll make sure

narrowing with a smile. "What

yet." Zachary often found himself lingering outside Annalise's place, watching her. It gave him

asked, "Can

quickly responded,

was full of energy She ran

in front of the mirror. Then,

en

SUMS

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

I smiled at her.

Zane placed the custom-made doll in front

a while before asking, "Is this

"Grandpa!" Willow exclaimed happily.

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

initiative

to her. "Don't you

to say

it's hard to say it in front of them? Now, you can share oft your thoughts

but when she tried to