The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven) novel Chapter 276

I told Dorothy, "My ex-mother-in-law just called to tell me I'm not good enough. She warned me not to even think about remarrying her son."

Dorothy looked incredulous. "You're already divorced! Isn't it delusional of her to say things like that to you still?"

"Who knows?" I shrugged. "She probably thinks I'm still the same pushover..." I added slowly, "The kind who lets her play the overbearing mother-in-law."

Dorothy frowned. "How did you put up with these people for so long?"

"Honestly..." I wondered the same thing. "Back then, I was so in love with Steven that I thought any sacrifice was worth it to be with him. I kept telling myself things would get better if I just endured.

"Then, I fell out of love. After that, I stopped caring so much. I just wanted to keep my distance." I was surprised by my own growth as I said this. "They're not part of my life anymore. So, they wouldn't affect my mood."

Dorothy turned her attention back to Willow. "I'm glad you've moved on."

I nodded and agreed, "Me, too."

…

Chloe stared at her phone in disbelief after hearing the dial tone. How dare Annalise hang up on her? That was so disrespectful of her!

She had to demand Steven not to get back with Annalise! With that thought in mind, she immediately called him. "So, I reached out to Annalise after hearing about your plan to remarry her.

"I was going to be nice about it and maybe set some ground rules for how she should treat you and Zachary. But she told me to keep an eye on you and stop you from bothering her. Can you believe it?"

Chloe laughed bitterly. "Everyone used to know how much she loved you—"