The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven) novel Chapter 314

After hearing Jessica's words, I could not help but laugh. "Is love now an excuse to hurt people?"

"It's not an excuse—he truly loves you!" Jessica insisted.

Finally understanding her game to reconnect me with Steven, I replied, "He wouldn't stop harassing me after I've made it clear countless times that I don't want to see him, and you call that love? It sounds more like stalking to me."

Jessica's eyes widened as if she had heard something shocking. "Is that how you see someone who loves you? I wonder how heartbroken your admirers would be to see how cold you are."

Her eyes darted toward Zane as she spoke, and I almost laughed at her words. "If Steven knew how desperate you are to get rid of him, would he still fund your lifestyle?"

Jessica froze, but Zane cut in, "You're trying to cause problems between me and Annalise by bringing this up now, aren't you? Frankly, I've seen these tactics countless times before."

His voice dripped with contempt as he continued, "They clearly don't work on me, so you better save your energy for Steven. He's simple enough to fall for it."

Jessica trembled. She hadn't expected her schemes to be exposed by Zane. "What are you implying here?"

"That you don't impress me." Zane replied casually, "And I won't fall for your manipulation."

Leading me back to our table, he asked, "Did you eat enough earlier?"

I studied him curiously. He was always so cold with others, yet there was a warmth in his voice whenever he spoke to me. I shook my head, and Zane smiled lovingly. "Let's get some more then."