The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 235

After finishing her basic exercises, Willow went upstairs to practice speaking, leaving only Zane and me in the living room.

Suddenly, Zane remembered the new doll in the trunk. He quickly headed toward the garage. "Let me grab the new doll and give it to her."

"We should talk to Penelope first," I explained. "If she's willing to help Willow, only then can we give her the doll."

I paused, then added, "If we just hand it over without preparing her, what will we say when Willow finds out the grandparents' dolls can talk back, but her friend's can't? How do we explain that?"

Zane considered my suggestion and nodded. "You're right. Should I hide the doll for now and take it out once Penelope agrees to play along?"

"Exactly." I paused to think before adding, "It'd be best to wait until Willow can comfortably communicate with Milton and Dorothy first."

Zane agreed, "Even if things don't go smoothly with Penelope, at least Willow will have two more people she can talk to."

I smiled. "That's exactly what I was thinking."

brought her dolls back to her room. "Grandpa, Grandma,

ago, she had to sound out each

herself, thinking she might have made a mistake. She spelled them out loud to check, and they matched perfectly with what she remembered. "Wow!" Milton was genuinely impressed. "You're

Willow proudly nodded. "Yep!"

in, "You're

Willow grinned. "Thank you."

disbelief. "Most kids I know don't start learning to read until first grade. You're ahead of the

admiration, "Willow, you're going to be extraordinary when you

praise with a confident smile.

...

return to Jessica's side that

understand why the thought of being in the same space as her made him feel suffocated, even

spacious apartment he had shared with Annalise for six years that his restless mind began to

first. "I'm really busy

calm voice carried a hint of subtle magnetism. "Are you scared