The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 238

Zachary wiped away his tears. "I didn't realize how much Mommy cared for me until I lost her."

He couldn't continue. The words caught in his throat, and he feared that if he spoke any more, the tears would come flooding back.

He stood up slowly. "Grandma, I'm really tired. I think I'll go to bed now."

As Chloe watched him walk into his bedroom, her expression hardened with anger.

She couldn't stand Jessica, who had promised she would treat Zachary well. That promise was the reason Chloe had supported Jessica becoming Steven's wife, replacing Annalise.

As soon as Jessica took her place, she started mistreating Zachary. She completely ignored everything she had promised Chloe.

Zachary must have been devastated, with his real mother cast aside and now, his stepmother mistreating him.

Chloe stood up slowly. It seemed she would need to have a serious conversation with Jessica the next day.

...

The next morning, I didn't immediately find Willow. Instead, I knocked on Zane's door first.

voice came through, "Who

me," I

it was me, his tone

if I should enter his bedroom. After a moment, I decided to say, "I'll wait for you on the balcony. I need to talk to you." "Okay," he

headed to the balcony and sat down

dew on the leaves bent them, slowly

mood lifted immediately as I watched the peaceful

me and asked, "What did you want to

look at him and said, "I was so caught up with work yesterday that there were a lot of things I didn't clarify

raised an

find time today to ask Penelope if she'd be

expressed concern about Penelope not wanting to help and hadn't

Zane smiled. "No problem."

asked a question that had been on his mind, "When

time before answering,

we reached an agreement, I went to Willow's room and knocked on

"Willow," I called.

from inside, "Mommy, you're late today. My practice is

Zane and I had discussed, so