The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven) novel Chapter 458

Zachary grinned as he explained, "It's because I want to stay ahead of other kids my age. Think about it—if I finish reviewing all the primary school material now, I'll have less pressure when I start school."

Hannah had shared the idea with Zachary, who found them very convincing.

He continued, "While everyone else struggles to learn in primary school, I can move ahead and start preparing for middle and high school. It'll be much easier for me by the time I get there. While others are buried in books and stressing out at home, I'll already know everything and have plenty of time to play!"

Portia listened to his reasoning and couldn't help but smile. Oddly enough, Zachary's logic made sense.

She chuckled and said, "You've really matured."

Zachary simply smiled back, waved goodbye, and walked toward his bedroom.

Portia watched his figure disappear down the hallway.

What a thoughtful child. It was such a pity, though. If Annalise had been able to stay in his life, Zachary would have grown up to care for her so deeply.

A pang of regret hit Portia's heart. It seemed Annalise wasn't destined to have that blessing.

…

After returning to his room, Zachary turned on the lights. One wall was covered with posters of Annalise, each one specially printed by someone Zachary had hired.

Every time he entered this room, he felt like his mother was with him, which instantly lifted his spirits.

Hannah, who had been in Zachary's room more than once, still felt a twinge of unease each time.

She sat down at his desk and said, "Okay. Let's start with your homework."

"Okay." Zachary set down his backpack and switched on his little desk lamp.

He softly called out, "Mom. Mom."

"I'm here."

The small robot sitting on his desk responded, its gentle and calm voice identical to Annalise's.

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Zachary suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to cry.

He had custom-made the robot at a high cost, using voice samples from the audio messages Annalise had sent him.

When the developer heard the recordings, they said to him, "Your mom must love you very much."

She really did.

After losing his mother, Zachary truly began to understand the depth of love in the words she had spoken to him as he listened to her voice messages over and over.

Annalise always wanted the best for him—good food, warm clothes, and, most importantly, good health.

Zachary smiled and spoke to the robot, "I'm going to start my homework now."

The robot responded with the same tone as Annalise's, "You're amazing!"

Zachary puffed out his chest proudly. "Of course!"

Upon seeing this, Hannah couldn't help but sigh. Zachary was so pitiful. This was the only way he could still connect with his mother.

Yet, Zachary seemed oblivious to that. He placed the robot in front of him, making him feel as though Annalise was still there, watching over him, caring for him.

He focused on his homework, and his mind was set on a single goal. He wanted to study hard and, one day, invent a time machine so he could return to the moment Steven first took him to meet Jessica.

This time, he would stand firmly by Annalise's side. He would make sure that when Annalise left Steven, she wouldn't feel abandoned.

…

Steven returned home and reflected on everything that had happened.

One wrong decision had set off a chain of events, causing everything to unravel. What had once been a happy family was now in pieces. His wife and son no longer wanted him.

Steven sat back on the couch, staring blankly at the ceiling.