The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Madeline said, "I'm still not hungry."

Sasha nodded in agreement. "Right. We'll just skip a meal or two if we're short on money."

Madeline's head bobbed once. "I'll look out for him after work. You can leave through the basement parking lot if he's waiting by the door. If he isn't, we'll leave through the main entrance." "Thank you!" Sasha threw her arms around Madeline gratefully. "You're the best. I love you!"

Madeline chuckled as she said, "Don't mention it."

They chatted some more before their supervisor came over to urge them to return to their workstations. Only then did the two women let each other go.

Before starting work, Sasha leaned close to Madeline and whispered, "We'll talk after we get off work."

The latter nodded imperceptibly, "Got it."

Upon getting home, Jessica sat in the living room and fell into deep thought. Steven seemed to always have to bear the brunt of whatever favor she asked of him, including speaking up for her.

would have to resort to

a torrent of messages, none

help but feel

to his messages. Could he have misunderstood her all this while? Perhaps she

to respond to

texts.

M

immediately replied to her, still grinning

bare her purpose and typed, "If I remember correctly, you recorded yourself sleeping with Annalise, right?" She had

Annalise and Casper on the Internet, would Zane still be willing to overlook the matter? Jessica doubted it. She knew

himself that she only

an immediate confirmation. Instead,

hesitation, "Could you send

with the video, but he refused to believe it. She had been nothing short of angelic when they were together. How could she stoop