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!"

her bedroom door and called,

stood by the railing. Hearing her call, I turned around. "Let's go.

to me eagerly.

morning's workout followed the plan we had set on Friday. It was clear that Willow's stamina had become much stronger. She ran a full mile without stopping. Though she sweated like mad,

the fatigue then, as she was breathing heavily. I was about to pick her up and carry her back to the living room, but she pushed me away. "I can do it

seemed to be becoming more independent with

of her. "Alright. You go

said, then quickly ran up the stairs. She stopped at her room's doorway and looked back at me. "Mommy, I want

her well. I knew she probably had something to say to Milton and Dorothy, so I didn't stop her. Instead, I smiled and returned to the living

tell Milton and Dorothy how amazing she was, but then realized she was covered in sweat. Milton and Dorothy wouldn't

bathroom, took a refreshing shower, and

her new outfit. "Grandpa,

praised, "You look like

think so, too." She wasn't shy about it at

couple spoiled her, agreeing with