The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 197

Steven wondered why it was that his restless heart seemed to settle down when he felt Annalise's presence throughout every corner of the house. Why did he feel like this if he didn't like her? He took a seat in the living room.

He couldn't even understand what exactly love was anymore.

His friends all told him that he loved Jessica. She had become his, and he'd even had a child with her. However, the moment he imagined living out his future with her, he would feel as if he was suffocating.

It wasn't until Jessica moved out with Cody that he felt as if he could breathe easier. People would always say that it was the onlookers who could gauge a situation with the most clarity, but he couldn't help questioning his friends' opinions. Was his situation with Jessica really what love was supposed to look like?

...

Willow must have been really tired out yesterday. When I went to wake her, I had to call out to her several times before she finally responded drowsily.

After opening the door for me, she shuffled off into the bathroom to wash up, still half-asleep.

What followed next was her daily routine.

Practicing speech in front of the mirror, reciting phonics, going for a morning run, and finally, taking a shower.

After each task was completed just around mealtime, she hurriedly ran back into her bedroom. As if afraid that we would see what she was doing, she even closed the door behind her.

toward Zane, who was sitting opposite

hide his smile as he said,

I replied, "That's

she finally came

up, telling her, "I'm done, so I'll

already very independent for a child. "You can go do your work, Mommy. No

inside, switching it out for a

didn't eat much

me approaching,

ovenet

going to bring Penelope home as well when fetch me

to say hello to her family,

object when she was being considerate to

...

we arrived at the kindergarten, Willow had already caught sight of Penelope and happily rushed up to

still standing where I was, Willow, who used to glance back to make sure I was still there every few steps, started

ét

from where she was, standing still and waying her hand at me. "You don't have to worry about me. Don't be afraid to just do your own thing! I exercise every day now and

clenched her little fists before continuing, "I have the brains and the brawn. Nobody would dare bully