The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 488

Smiling, Zane explained, "I poured the water before Steven showed up, and it was hot. It should be the right temperature by now."

I was a little surprised by how considerate he was. I sipped the water, appreciating the lukewarmness of it.

Zane sat down next to me, and I laid my head on his shoulder. I found it odd that despite all that he had done for me in the past, I didn't think of him as my safe harbor until now. For once, my heart no longer felt so untethered; I felt grounded.

I grew sentimental. "What did I do to deserve such a wonderful boyfriend?"

The kinder Zane was to me, the more pathetic my old life with Steven appeared. If Steven had been in Zane's shoes-I caught myself. No, Steven would never be in Zane's shoes because he was a selfish man who refused to do even the smallest things for me. There was a time when I was sick and asked Steven for a glass of water. He had poured a glass of piping hot water for me.

grouse, "Didn't you say you were thirsty? I got you water as you asked,

had been so heavy that I couldn't retort. I couldn't believe my life

even pour yourself a

for me save for pouring me that glass of water. I had watched him leave and close the door behind

door closed with a

only blamed myself for my co-dependency and vowed to become stronger until didn't have to rely on men. After all, our births into this world were lonely, and our deaths were even more

the end of the day, I had only myself to depend

Steven without having to ask him for anything, even during days when I needed his help. However, with Zane, I realized I didn't have to be

someone as considerate as Zane. He

my gaze, I

raised his hand and gently stroked my hair. "It's just a