The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 194

Zane asked calmly, "Hmm?"

I was a bit confused. "Didn't I mention it? I put a small recorder inside the dolls."

It was clear that Willow didn't want us to hear what she was saying to Dorothy and Milton.

Naturally, I respected her privacy. I had no intention of listening to the recording myself. When the time was right, I would just have Zane pass it on to Dorothy and Milton for Willow.

Zane was surprised to learn I had prepared so much in advance. "When did you do this?"

I replied, "Just earlier, when Willow was upstairs talking to herself in the mirror."

He asked again, "When did you buy the recorder?"

while ago," I answered calmly. "Before I divorced Steven, they did too many awful things. I just wanted to record everything they said and did. One day, I'll release all the recordings and videos. It'll be my way of

on what was best for Willow.

Zane replied, clearly on my side. "Right now, our goal is to help Willow get better. Besides, she's only five years old-she doesn't have any real privacy yet. When she gets older and needs space,

bed and stared at them. For some reason, she couldn't bring herself to speak when she thought of the dolls as Dorothy and Milton. She even avoided looking into their eyes and instead focused on

took a deep breath, reminding herself over and over that they were just ordinary stuffed toys, not real people.

sorry. After Daddy and Mommy's car accident, Grandma Rowena told

soon as she mentioned the past, tears started to fall. "I'm scared you'll hate me.

she continued, "That's why I've been avoiding you. I didn't dare face you. Last time, told Mommy about

en

the heavy weight on her chest had lifted, and she felt much lighter. Finally, she added, "Grandpa and Grandma, I love

...

with joy. As soon as she saw Zane, she beamed and asked, "Daddy, why are you so

usually shrugged off compliments from others as he was fully aware of his own appearance. When it came from his daughter,

toward