The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven) novel Chapter 197

Steven wondered why it was that his restless heart seemed to settle down when he felt Annalise's presence throughout every corner of the house. Why did he feel like this if he didn't like her?

He took a seat in the living room.

He couldn't even understand what exactly love was anymore.

His friends all told him that he loved Jessica. She had become his, and he'd even had a child with her. However, the moment he imagined living out his future with her, he would feel as if he was suffocating.

It wasn't until Jessica moved out with Cody that he felt as if he could breathe easier. People would always say that it was the onlookers who could gauge a situation with the most clarity, but he couldn't help questioning his friends' opinions.

Was his situation with Jessica really what love was supposed to look like?

…

Willow must have been really tired out yesterday. When I went to wake her, I had to call out to her several times before she finally responded drowsily.

After opening the door for me, she shuffled off into the bathroom to wash up, still half-asleep.

What followed next was her daily routine.

Practicing speech in front of the mirror, reciting phonics, going for a morning run, and finally, taking a shower.

After each task was completed just around mealtime, she hurriedly ran back into her bedroom. As if afraid that we would see what she was doing, she even closed the door behind her.

I looked toward Zane, who was sitting opposite me.

He didn't hide his smile as he said, "It seems we made the right decision."

Equally glad, I replied, "That's right."

After Willow finished speaking with her plush toys in the bedroom, she finally came running downstairs to sit at the table with us and started enjoying her food.

I stood up, telling her, "I'm done, so I'll be going upstairs for a bit."

Willow hummed agreeably, already very independent for a child. "You can go do your work, Mommy. No need to worry about me."