The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven) novel Chapter 226

After dinner, Willow's stomach was bloated. I took her for a walk in the yard to help her digest.

Willow tightly held my hand and said, "Mommy, I feel so happy."

"Why?" I asked.

She rubbed her tummy and continued, "I have you, and you love me so much. You'll make me delicious dinners with love, then you'll take me for a walk."

Walking through the yard and feeling the cool breeze blowing toward her, Willow felt a deep sense of contentment.

I smiled and agreed, "That does sound nice."

Feeling left out, Zane calmly reminded Willow, "What about me?"

Willow added quickly, "Oh, and Daddy, too!"

…

The takeout Harry ordered finally arrived. Not wanting Zachary to be alone, Harry sat beside him to keep him company.

Zachary boasted, "You know, my mom used to treat me so well. She was always worried I wouldn't like the food at school, so every morning, she would wake up and make me something delicious.

"She's an amazing cook. Every time she served me food, I'd eat it all up!"

Harry could tell from the smug look on Zachary's face that he was trying to comfort himself by pretending everything was fine. He didn't want to burst his bubble. "I really envy you."

Zachary smiled sheepishly. "I envy myself, too."

Harry chuckled and asked, "But won't you get tired of following her around like that?"

Zachary lowered his head. "Well, if I follow her, I can tell myself that she didn't abandon me and that she's always here. But if I stop following her, then I'd really have no mom."