The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 509

No longer were Annalise's eyes filled with sadness. Instead, she was smiling more than before. Zachary's lips curled into a wistful smile as he called out softly, "Mommy..." However, Annalise turned away from his direction and entered the villa. Only then did Zachary withdraw his gaze and say to the driver, "Let's go." "Very well," the driver replied.

...

Willow held my hand as we returned to the living room. She was skipping as she asked without looking at me, "Can you sleep with me tonight, Mommy?"

I thought about what Penelope said earlier and figured this was a good opportunity for me to talk to Willow about the bullying incident. As such, I obliged her. "Okay."

Zane slowed in his steps, and there was a trace of jealousy in his usually indifferent tone as he asked, "What about me?"

Willow stopped in her tracks and turned to look at him in puzzlement. "You want to bunk in with us, too, Daddy?"

Zane said nothing. Willow was five years old, the perfect age for her to get used to sleeping alone. If he bunked in with her and Annalise, he would risk enabling her codependency; if he refused, he would miss the chance to talk to Annalise before bed. He was still caught in a dilemma when Willow spared him from having to make a decision. "But my bed's too small to fit another person, Daddy."

Only then did Zane mutter in disappointment, "I see. Never mind, then."

Willow happily led me to her bedroom. We had already showered, so she lay on the bed and patted the space beside her. "Come here, Mommy!"

next to her. "All right, what did you want to talk

on her

her arm over

you and Daddy

know why I feel this way. I was hoping that if I asked you about

prepared a script

back gently and said, "Maybe it's because you think we belong to you

frowned as

added, "But after we

felt like we

the attention we used to

wouldn't

for you."

QUMS

this, Willow nodded earnestly. "Yes,

"Regardless of what happens between me and your father, you must understand that we both love you very much. Can you

"Yes!" she answered without