The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

The Huxham Corporation's area boasted lush greenery. The trees along the main roads were tall and leafy, their branches casting shadows that shielded the road from the blazing sunlight. The tranquil atmosphere was almost serene. I turned to Zane, walking beside me. "Have you finished all your work?"

Zane, who never liked lying, replied honestly, "Not yet."

He hadn't forgotten Milton's and Dorothy's advice to always appear slightly vulnerable around me to keep me concerned for him. Casually, he added, "I'm just feeling a bit tired."

I sighed somehow regretfully. "Too bad I can't help you much. But this account I've set up-once the merchandise starts selling, it might generate a lot of income for me."

I had thought long and hard before adding, "If your company ever runs into trouble and can't stay afloat, you're welcome to come to me. I'll take care of you and Willow."

Zane was confident his company would never face such a situation, but he hadn't expected me to think that far ahead. A fleeting, irresponsible thought crossed his mind if the company really did go bankrupt, would it bring us closer? With a soft laugh, Zane said, "Alright."

He stepped in front of me, pulling me into a hug. "I'm so lucky to have you."

I had grown accustomed to these embraces and responded lightly, "As you should be."

...

Meanwhile, Harry picked up Zachary, bringing along a doll he had ordered. When Zachary opened the package and saw the doll resembling Annalise, tears welled up in his eyes. They spilled over in large droplets as he clutched the doll tightly. He didn't want Annalise to see him in such a pitiful state, so he quickly wiped his face and said softly, "I never thought I'd have a chance to be with you again, Mommy."

Though he tried not to cry, the tears wouldn't stop. Hugging the doll tightly, he poured his heart out. "Mommy, do you know how long it's been since you left me? I miss you so much!"

Harry and Hannah, who witnessed this, couldn't bear to watch. They turned away, both troubled by the scene.

How could Annalise be so heartless? How could she abandon her own son completely?

Sharing a silent glance, they decided they needed to speak with Annalise. Perhaps they could arrange for her to talk to Zachary.

After releasing his pent-up emotions, Zachary felt a bit more at ease. Holding the doll close, he said softly, "Mommy, I know I hurt you a lot, but I'll make it up to you. Please forgive me, okay?"

en

At the school gate, Willow and Penelope were having a tearful goodbye. The two little girls were both teary-eyed.

Willow had only recently started

being

Pe able to talk freely with

Penelope, and now, they had

eager to keep talkingelnet

much to share. Penelope was just as

Both of them turned to look at me.

Amused, I offered, "How about coming to our house?"

Willow lit up at the idea and eagerly asked Penelope, "Want to come? At home, we've got Grandpa and Grandma, and me..."

Penelope's eyes shone with longing,

but as a well-behaved child, she

turned to Suzy for permission.

"Mom, can we go?" she asked, her

gaze full of hope.

Suzy, who always supported Penelope, smiled. "Sure. Let's go."

The two girls cheered, holding hands as they climbed into Suzy's car. Zane and I rode with Richard.

As someone who had single-handedly raised Willow, Zane couldn't help feeling a bit downcast. "She doesn't even want to ride home with me anymore."

I chuckled, giving his shoulder a comforting pat. "Don't overthink it. Kids grow up."

"But she's only five years old," Zane said, sighing.

I couldn't help but laugh. "And she's coming home, isn't it? She's not running off somewhere else."

That seemed to reassure Zane somewhat. "You're right."