The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

For years, Annalise had been the one soothing everyone's emotions, including Chloe's.

Steven finally understood Chloe wasn't as wonderful as he had once thought. When Annalise was still by his side, she had gone out of her way to shield him from his mother's outbursts, fearing they would affect his work.

No matter how much trouble Chloe caused, Annalise would quietly handle it behind the scenes.

Steven took a deep breath. And yet, despite everything Annalise had done for him, he hadn't cherished her.

A wave of exhaustion washed over him.

Chloe broke the silence by asking, "What's there to think about?"

Steven said coldly, "In all the years Annalise was with me, she didn't spend as much money in total as you and Jessica do in a single month-or even a week." He paused before adding, "To be honest, probably not even in a single day." Chloe frowned, feeling irritated. "But isn't the money you earn meant to be spent?"

replied with a bitter laugh, "My wife and son didn't

all went to her"? She had worked hard to raise him. Wasn't it only

further. "You're just in a bad

that, she

...

was incredibly busy lately-I had to design the collectibles and also work on the freelance projects. Apart from caring

that I was able

Eric called and exclaimed, "My gosh! Why didn't you tell me the freelance business you

and didn't affect my work, I'd obviously handle it myself. There'd be no need to outsource

didn't mind, as the high commission earned him good money.

"So there

can't keep up," Eric

expectations. With high demand and increased production, it was natural for manufacturing to