The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven) novel Chapter 104

Steven was heartbroken, too. He patted Zachary's back gently. "You still have Mommy Jessie."

Zachary's crying stopped abruptly.

Thinking his words had helped, Steven continued, "She'll treat you even better than Mommy did."

"No, she won't." Zachary pulled away from Steven's embrace. "Daddy..." His tone turned serious. "Please stop lying to me. I may be a kid, but I understand everything."

Before Steven could respond, Cody spoke up, "Daddy, can we go home?"

Steven turned to look at him.

Cody frowned. "I'm hungry."

"Let's head back, then." Steven quickly decided. "We can't let you go hungry."

Zachary stood frozen, watching as Steven walked away holding Cody's hand.

His own dad had also become someone else's dad without him even realizing it. Since when had everything turned out this way?

Zachary could not figure it out.

…

The martial arts coach, Howard Lardon, arrived early. When we pulled up to the mansion, we found him—who was rather unfamiliar—standing awkwardly in the courtyard.

Zane casually asked Richard, "Why didn't you take him to the living room?"

Howard quickly explained, "I asked to walk around the yard."

"It's hot outside," Zane said calmly. "We usually get home around this time. If you arrive early next time, please wait inside, where it's cool."

"Of course." Howard could tell Zane was not just being polite, so he asked, "When should we start the lesson?"

Zane looked at Willow, who tugged gently at my clothes.

I bent down and asked, "What is it?"