The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven) novel Chapter 223

"She's truly extraordinary!" Willow exclaimed. "I can't speak in front of her, but she just keeps chatting away like it's nothing. I really admire her." She then said wistfully, "I hope I can talk to people like that one day."

"You will," Milton assured her gently.

Tired of sitting, Willow flopped onto her stomach on the bed. Propping her face up with her hands, she looked at the two dolls and asked, "How have you two been lately? I heard Grandma wasn't feeling well before. I was really worried about you both."

Dorothy's voice was filled with warmth. "Before you came to visit me, I was constantly in and out of hospitals and never truly recovered. But when I heard you had come to see me, I started to feel better.

"When I went to Zane's house and saw how much he loves you, treating you like his own daughter, that's when I felt I'd finally healed."

"Really?" Willow asked in amazement.

"I wouldn't lie to you," Dorothy replied patiently. "Willow, do you like your current mom? How are you getting along with her?"

Dorothy was eager to hear Willow's honest thoughts about Annalise.

Willow carefully chose her words. "If I say this, you and Grandpa might get upset."

"Oh?" Dorothy's curiosity piqued.

"Mommy is really good to me, and I love her a lot," Willow said shyly. "Sometimes, I feel like I was her real daughter."

She tentatively added, "You wouldn't be mad, would you?"

Milton chuckled. "Why would we be? We're just happy she's good to you. Willow, all we ever want is for you to be happy."

"Really?" Willow's energy returned.

"Of course," Milton reassured her.

Willow said in her innocent voice, "I've always wanted to share what's been happening in my life with you, but I couldn't find a way to say it. It made me feel stuck, like there was something heavy in my heart.