The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven) novel Chapter 193

I held Willow's hand. "You can't rush things. As long as we keep trying, we'll succeed one day."

Willow looked up at me with a doubtful expression. "Really?"

She slumped against the car window, falling silent for a long while.

I leaned in and gently comforted her.

It was only after a while that Willow's attention shifted.

…

Zachary followed behind, watching Annalise patiently comfort Willow.

He couldn't help but recall how, when he was upset, Annalise would always hold him and gently soothe him. He wished he had appreciated her back then.

When he had Annalise's love, he hadn't truly valued it. It wasn't until he lost it that he realized only Annalise, with her gentle and steady nature, could offer the unconditional love he needed.

Zachary couldn't understand how he had lost someone like her.

Just then, his phone rang.

Zachary casually picked it up.

Chloe's cheerful voice came through, "Zach, I've arranged a tutor for you, just like you asked."

"Thanks, Grandma." Zachary kept his eyes fixed on Annalise's car. "I'll make sure to study hard once I get back."

Chloe chuckled, her eyes narrowing with a smile. "What time will you be home?"

"I'm not sure yet." Zachary often found himself lingering outside Annalise's place, watching her. It gave him an odd sense of peace, as if she had never really left.

He asked, "Can the tutor wait?"

Chloe quickly responded, "Of course."