The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 770

The dining room was large and brightly lit, but the food on the table was cold, and the candles had all melted away.

Annalise sat in silence by the dining table. When she heard Steven's footsteps, she looked up and asked, "Didn't you say you'd be celebrating our anniversary together? What took you so long?"

It was in that moment that Steven realized he had forgotten to tell Annalise about his whereabouts. He hurriedly apologized.

"I'm sorry, honey. I got caught up with work, and I couldn't make it back to celebrate with you. I'm sorry."

Back then, Steven genuinely wanted to maintain his marriage.

Annalise stared at him calmly and asked, "Are you sure you were working? You know I don't like liars, and you know the consequences of lying to me."

Somehow, Steven felt intimidated. He said, "I went to pick up a friend."

But Steven wasn't sure if Annalise believed him, and she continued to ask, "Male or female?"

"Female, and she came with a child. I promise I don't have any ulterior motives," Steven said honestly.

in him, and she never mentioned it again. However, it was true that Steven had

wonder if Annalise had heard about his meeting with Jessica from someone else. But as he processed it further, things didn't add up-after all, if Annalise had found

uncontrollably teared up and

he gave Annalise a small living allowance, she still took good care of their family-Steven never had to worry about Zachary

wondered why he was

more money and treated her better,"

shifted his focus back to Annalise and spent more time with her. He wished he hadn't

wondered if an earlier divorce would've hurt less

whirlwind of thoughts surged into Steven's mind, leaving him

...

couldn't fall asleep-he couldn't stop thinking about the time he

university. She was composed and quiet; she was always the listener among her peers, only giving input after everyone finished

then, Steven

in Annalise. He wondered

Annalise wasn't