The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven) novel Chapter 172

No one responded to him.

Jessica sniffled, "Are you still mad at me?"

Steven shook his head. "No."

Tears hung from Jessica's long lashes. "But you keep your guard up around me."

"I don't even know why, Jessica," Steven admitted honestly.

"Whenever I get close to you, there's this uncomfortable feeling in my heart."

It felt as if he was betraying someone.

Jessica blinked, a tear tracing down her cheek. She wiped it away and stayed silent.

She knew that if she allowed Steven to dig deeper, he would eventually realize that he genuinely loved Annalise, not her. That would make it harder for her to get what she wanted.

So, she stayed quiet.

…

Today, Willow was up even earlier than yesterday.

When I went to her room, she had already finished practicing talking to herself in the mirror and was now holding a book, reading with determination.

Her voice was bright and cheerful, full of that youthful energy only kids had.

I stood by the door, watching her.

After a while, Willow's face started to pout.

I walked over, sitting beside her. "What's wrong?"

Willow set the book down and hugged my waist. "When I was talking to myself in the mirror this morning, I didn't know what to say. So, I thought maybe I could read a book and find something to talk about.

"But then, as soon as I opened the book, I realized I couldn't read. I don't know any of the words." She started to cry, genuinely upset.

I gently soothed her, "That's because you haven't started learning yet."