The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 195

"As a celebration, we should have a nice meal," Zane said, looking at Willow. "What would you like to eat?"

Willow thought seriously for a moment. "Hmm..."

She had tried many delicious dishes recently. Unfortunately, she didn't feel like eating anything at the moment. "What do you think, Mommy?"

I knew a few restaurants Willow would enjoy, but I didn't make a decision right away. Instead, I told her about the specialties of those places.

Willow made up her mind. "How about we go to the restaurant near Daddy's office on Saturday?"

Then, she turned to Zane. "Is that okay?"

Zane smiled and agreed without hesitation, "No problem."

...

Zachary silently waited outside the villa, watching them train in the yard. He saw Willow teasing Annalise playfully, and then the whole family headed into the living room together.

that moment, he suddenly realized that the roles of him

and Cody out to play, leaving Annalise

now-lonely and abandoned. He finally understood Annalise's feelings, but it was too late. She had moved on from her previous marriage. Now that she had a new child, she no longer needed him as her son. "Mommy..." Zachary murmured, his eyes filled with longing. Unfortunately,

him

he hadn't eaten without needing to ask. "What would you like to eat? I'll make it

then added, "Where's

called over the tutor she

quietly and obediently while the tutor, Hannah Ludwig, taught him

told him to take a break. Zachary suddenly had an idea Ms. Ludwig, could you have the

en

sure why Zachary asked, but she nodded in agreement. "No

"Thank you," Zachary said.

...

office, so in the evenings when I wasn't working, I made it a habit to stand. Zane leaned against the railing. "If we

"I agree," I said.

everything that had happened recently, it almost seemed too good to be true. It felt like I was living in a