The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 457

Zachary unconsciously lowered his head as he spoke.

Portia sighed and reached out to ruffle his soft hair. "Silly child. Remember that no matter what happens, I'll always be on your side unconditionally."

Her warmth stirred something in Zachary. He looked up at her, and for a moment, an overwhelming urge to cry gripped him.

He nodded and said earnestly, "Thank you, Grandma. You're the best!"

As he spoke, a thought lingered in the back of his mind.

Portia had always been so kind to him. So, why hadn't he been closer to her before?

Perhaps it was because of Chloe. She used to say things like, "Your mom's family is poor. They're just distant relatives trying to take advantage of us. They don't contribute anything and only want to leech off our wealth." Now, looking back, Zachary realized how skewed those words were.

He remembered that when his parents got married, Steven didn't have much money either.

Annalise supported him through those tough times, helping him build the life he has now.

Once Steven became successful, it was as if Chloe rewrote history in her mind. She seemed to forget the struggles they all went through and acted like their family had always been wealthy. That was when she started looking down on Annalise and Portia. Yet, through it all, Portia never asked for anything from them-not money or help, nothing.

Zachary began to understand that people who spoke the loudest and stirred up trouble weren't always the ones who truly cared. The ones who loved him the most often showed it quietly, without needing to say much at all.

curled into a

handed him his cutleries and said

"I've

eyes sparkled with affection, clearly

do you like to

to be outdone, she interrupted, "He's a growing child, so he needs a balanced diet to stay healthy. Here,

serving food to

filled with warmth and

...

dinner, Portia stood up to clear the table, but Harry quickly

of this,"

at him in surprise. "Why are you

cooked the meal. If I

finally relented, letting

to

dishes in the kitchen, covering the leftovers with plastic wrap, and placing them in the fridge. He then wiped the table and swept the floor before heading to the sink to wash

sat alone in the living room, deep in

take care of Zachary? Why did it feel like he was taking

had to lift a finger

household chores anymore.

more it didn't sit right with her. Acting like a