The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 541

Steven replied absentmindedly, "Maybe."

Jessica frowned. "What's wrong? You don't sound like yourself. Did something happen?"

Steven said honestly, "Yeah. I've been seeing a therapist recently. And then, it hit me every step I've taken, from being with Annalise until now, has been a mistake."

His voice cracked with pain. "Jessica, why am I so stupid? How could I let it get this far before realizing it?"

Jessica froze, an uneasy feeling creeping over her. His voice carried a raw vulnerability. "Why are you saying this all of a sudden?"

Steven was feeling devastated, but he had no one to confide in. If Jessica hadn't called, he wasn't sure how long he could have kept it together.

Tears streamed down his cheek as he choked, "When someone makes a mistake, they should first fix it, apologize, and make amends.

going to do is push her even further away." Steven wiped his tears with his hand. Jessica didn't know how to respond at first. After a long pause, she finally asked, "Do

I think about everything, I realize just how much

"So, are you planning to

good to her. Don't worry about the money

it

heart sank at

Zane's attention, Steven was her only financial lifeline. If he ignored Jessica,

probed cautiously, "And the baby? You're not going to

Jessica felt a flicker of relief. At least she'd claimed the baby was Steven's. Without that, she wasn't sure how she'd

care of the baby. I'll cover your living expenses and child

the baby and I could survive." "The child is my flesh and

"Thank you."

It had been a clever move to use the child asza means to tether Steven, ensuring he provided her with a life of