The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

"Yeah, Steven's angry," Jessica said. "He told me he won't give me a cent for living expenses anymore." Chloe brushed it off. "Don't worry about it. He might refuse to take care of an unborn child, but I'm still his mom. He wouldn't dare cut me off. Once he sends me money, I'll make sure to send some your way." Jessica was overwhelmed by a sense of gloom. It would be great if things were really as bright as Chloe believed.

"But he said he wouldn't give you anything either," Jessica said.

"No way." Chloe stayed calm. "Even if he resents me for something, I'm still his mom. There's no way he'd stop supporting me over something so trivial."

"He literally said so just now," Jessica said. "Why don't you call and check?"

"Fine." Chloe still seemed unconcerned. "But he's probably still worked up. He'll likely tell me the same

thing he told you. Still, I'll make an effort to calm him down. He is my son, after all."

Chloe ended the call and immediately dialed Steven, her hands trembling.

He had never blown up at her, no matter what she did. What made this time different? All she did wasnoveldrama

suggest he get a vasectomy was that really enough to set him off?

Chloe tried calling him repeatedly, but each time she dialed, she received the same message that the line was busy. A creeping unease began to settle in.

She quickly borrowed the nanny's phone and tried again. This time, the call went through.

"Who's this?" Steven's voice was flat.

"It's your mom!" Chloe exclaimed, still in disbelief. He had actually blocked her number her dearest son! "Did you actually block me?"

Steven didn't bother denying it and calmly replied, "Yes."

Chloe's agitation spiked. "Why would you do that?"

"Don't you already know?" Steven's voice carried a chilling composure.

Chloe was left utterly speechless.

Steven continued, "You should've

known what would happen when you threatened to jump off at building to get me to do what you

From now on, I won't listen

you say."

"I did it for your good," Chloe argued.

"I don't need it," Steven responded icily. "And I won't support Jessica, either. Whether she keeps the child

or not is her decision-it has nothing to do with me."

Only then did Chloe realize things might have spiraled completely out of her control. "Who will take care of you when you're old?"

"If Zachary is willing to forgive me, I'll still have him as a son. If not, I'll grow old by myself," Steven said as if reaching a painful realization.

Chloe was on the verge of tears. "You're throwing away all my good intentions! Who do you think I was doing this for-telling you to get a vasectomy? It was so you could have another child!"

doit

"You didn't do it for anyone but yourself," Steven said, his words sharp and deliberate. "It was all about feeding your need for control. The moment you threatened to jump, you knew I'd cave and give up my right to have children.

"I'm sure you felt pretty triumphant when I went through with the surgery, didn't you? Proud that you'd

found yet another way to manipulate me."

"That's not true!" Chloe cried, her voice breaking.

"It doesn't matter if it's true or not," Steven replied, his tone icy. "You need to understand that from now on, we're done."