The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 228

Willow picked up her dolls and placed them on a small desk beside the bathroom door. She then stood on a little stool.

Gazing into the mirror, she began to practice her greetings, "Hello. I'm Willow. What's your name?"

After practicing in front of the mirror, she didn't forget to inform Milton and Dorothy, "The mirror practice is over now. It's time to read."

She picked up a storybook and carefully enunciated each word phonetically before reading the words. Once she was familiar with all the words, she read the entire sentence aloud.

After finishing a short story, she put the book down.

"Willow."

Hearing Annalise's voice, Willow quickly placed Milton and Dorothy on the bed and said, "I'm going to jog now. Bye, Grandpa, Grandma!"

"Goodbye!"

opened her bedroom door and

call, I turned around. "Let's go. It's time to

over to me eagerly.

a full mile without stopping. Though she sweated like mad, she never paused for a break.

she was breathing heavily. I was about to pick her up and carry her back

seemed to be becoming more independent with each passing

proud of

stopped at her room's doorway and looked back at me. "Mommy, I want to

much time with her, I had gotten to know her well. I knew she probably had something to say to Milton and

she was, but then realized she was covered in sweat. Milton

to the bathroom, took a

of the dolls and twirled in her new outfit. "Grandpa, Grandma, do you

and Dorothy both praised, "You look

clearly pleased with herself. "I think so, too." She wasn't shy about it at

spoiled her, agreeing with