The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Otis was worried that Yelena might lose her determination to go after Zane.

He let out a derisive snort and said, "Think about everything you did to Annalise back then. If you were in her shoes, would you forgive someone who treated you that way?"

"No." Yelena shook her head. She had to admit that what she'd done then had crossed the line. It had been downright cruel.

Willow sat in the car, lazily resting her head against my arm. She looked up at me and asked, "Mommy, who was that woman just now?"

I chose my words carefully before saying, "She's the daughter of a prick. Neither of them means well. Just ignore them."

Willow pouted. "I could tell she wanted to steal Dad and make him her husband! She's a bad person!"

Seeing how upset she was, Zane tried to reassure her. "Don't worry. I won't be with her. I love you and your mom."

That was enough to put Willow at ease. She stressed every word as she said, "But if you ignore her, she'll just find another way to come between you and Mom and mess up your relationship. Mommy, no matter what she says, don't believe her, and don't get mad at Daddy!"

ruffled Willow's hair. She was still so young. Where did she even learn this

gently reassured her. "Don't worry. I'm not that easy to

...

already spoken to Zane but was still curious about how Otis' plan was unfolding. Since Otis was handling everything

dialed Otis'

hadn't expected a call from Steven at

nothing big. I just wanted to check in on your plan. You know how much I

sworn to Steven that he could make it happen. Now

following up, Otis couldn't shake the

long pause, he finally asked, "Did you know Annalise

"What?" Steven was stunned.

sentence hit him like a sledgehammer, wiping out his good mood instantly. Journalists would have picked up on it if someone like Zane had gotten married, and the

about it. As far as he knew, Annalise and

happened just a few days ago. Zane told me himself," Otis

floored. Was Otis really telling the