The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven) novel Chapter 442

Steven went quiet for a long while, then finally said, "Is it possible that now your life's going well, so you're rubbing it in the woman who stole your guy?"

"That'd only be true if I still cared about you," I shot back. "If I was hung up on you, bitter, and trying to show off now that I've got my life together, then sure. But honestly? I stopped caring about you a long time ago.

"So whether I'm doing well or not, there's no reason to flaunt anything before you guys, right? Besides, you're saying I contacted Jessica and that I was upsetting her. Well, how exactly did I reach out to her?"

Without missing a beat, Steven answered, "By phone?"

I was amused. "I already blocked both your numbers."

He fell silent. I continued, "As far as I'm concerned, you're just part of my past now. The best thing in my life right now is having Willow and Zane around—and not having to deal with you at all.

"I know that might sound harsh, but it's the truth. Not having you in my life makes me so much happier.

"Why would I want to hold on to you and make myself miserable? What would I get out of that? Nothing."

I paused, looked at Steven, and said, "Correct me if I'm wrong, but after Jessica told you all this, you decided to sign her to your label and start pushing her, right?"

A bystander jumped in, "Exactly! I just saw Pelham Group's big ad campaign—Jessica's one of their signed artists now!"

I sneered. "I haven't had a chance to check online, so I didn't know. But it looks like you've been quick to take action."

I wasn't bothered by it and added, "At the end of the day, Jessica's the one coming out on top. So why would I do something that gives her the advantage while I take all the heat? Think about it."