The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 226

After dinner, Willow's stomach was bloated. I took her for a walk in the yard to help her digest.

Willow tightly held my hand and said, "Mommy, I feel so happy."

"Why?" I asked.

She rubbed her tummy and continued, "I have you, and you love me so much. You'll make me delicious dinners with love, then you'll take me for a walk."

Walking through the yard and feeling the cool breeze blowing toward her, Willow felt a deep sense of contentment.

I smiled and agreed, "That does sound nice."

Feeling left out, Zane calmly reminded Willow, "What about me?"

quickly, "Oh, and Daddy,

Not wanting Zachary to be

me so well. She was always worried I wouldn't like the food at school, so every morning, she would wake up and make

by pretending everything was fine. He didn't want to burst his bubble.

won't you get tired of following her around

I can tell myself that she didn't abandon me and that she's always here. But if I stop following her,

...

his hands, he sat down beside Jessica and began

pleased. She

had been treating her so well. Had he believed his friends' words

that was the case, then Steven's money would

"Daddy."

didn't eat enough earlier. I'm hungry again." Smiling, Steven asked, "What do you

answered seriously, "Fried eggs and instant