The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 511

Zane's phone rang the moment the bedroom door clicked shut. He glanced at the screen to find Steven calling. He stayed expressionless as he answered, "What do you need?" "Put Annalise on the phone. I need to talk to her." Steven sounded in a hurry.

"She's in the middle of putting Willow to bed. I doubt she has time to talk now," Zane replied flatly.

Steven was amused. "If you love Annalise so much, why leave her to handle everything? Look at me I don't love Jessica, but I've got people at her beck and call. Your love for Annalise doesn't seem all that deep." His voice was thick with sarcasm. Zane could hear the mockery, but he didn't feel the need to take the bait.

"Didn't you know that Anna loves kids?" Zane asked. "She only starts her part-time job once Willow heads off to school. But as soon as Willow's home, Anna's all about spending time with her." Steven's expression soured instantly.

Zane continued, "It's exactly because she cares so much about kids that she swallowed her pride when you and Jessica were making things miserable. She chose to bear with it, even when you gave her every reason to walk away.

2V

would have put up with you for Zachary's sake." The words cut into Steven like a knife to the heart, and he muttered, "That's all

way things are

said, slowing down his tone. "Anna earns

than

she still prefers to spend

do you think

is?

have taken the job for the money, but after spending time with Willow, she had clearly grown attached to

remained defiant. "She'd do the same if it were anyone

other words, Willow wasn't

Zane thought Steven was

him out. Instead, he asked, "Is that how you see it? But