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.

Zane, who

said, "It

glad, I replied,

the bedroom, she finally came running downstairs to sit at the table with us and started enjoying her

done, so I'll be going upstairs

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

I slipped into her bedroom and retrieved the small recorder pen we had planted inside, switching it out for a new one. After all this was

didn't eat

saw me approaching, she held my

ovenet

Penelope home as well when fetch me in

her family,

I wouldn't object when she was

...

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

glance back to make sure I was still there every few steps, started urging me

ét

at me. "You don't have to worry about me. Don't be afraid to just do your own thing!

little fists before continuing, "I have the