The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

I couldn't understand how Steven could so unconditionally side with Jessica time and time again, only to deny having romantic feelings for her. I wondered who had misled him into thinking he was definitely in love with me,

Zane did not reply after hearing my answer.

The silence stretched between us, but before I could say something to break it, he asked calmly, "Were you heartbroken when you learned that Zachary had been picked on?"

I countered, "Why would I be? He might be young, but I can't deny he has what it takes to stand up for himself. And his revenge is well-plotted for a child his age. At least he didn't take the bullying without putting up a fight."

My next words came from the bottom of my heart. "Honestly, I was pretty glad to see Steven cornered like that. It's as if the universe decided to teach him a lesson before I could.

"As for Zachary, I don't think I harbor any sentiments toward him. After all, I've considered him a lost cause from the moment he chose to help Jessica get rid of my baby. He has been Jessica's son since, not mine."

I looked at Zane as I asked rhetorically, "It wouldn't make sense for my heart to break over someone else's son's suffering, right?"

Zane stared at me, and emotions I couldn't describe flickered across his usually icy gaze. After a long pause, he said, "You have a point."

Zachary did not go home immediately after leaving the Huxham residence. Instead, he had Harry park somewhere safe before he stared out the window at the well-lit house.

Since he built the robot that played Annalise's voice, he convinced himself that it was just like having her around.

But after sitting with Annalise in the same living room and feeling her warmth despite her silence, he had filled the hollowness in his chest. He felt loved and at ease with the world.

It was a feeling that the robot could not give him even if it spoke in Annalise's voice.

Tears rolled down Zachary's cheeks as he contemplated this. After what felt like ages, he withdrew his gaze and said to Harry, "Let's go."

Harry blinked in surprise. "Don't you want to stay here and look at your mother for a while longer?"

Zachary shook his head. "I want to, but I have more important things to do. I can't afford to waste my time dawdling here."

He wished he could invent a time machine so he could go back to the past and stop himself from hurting Annalise. It might not stop her from divorcing Steven, but at least she wouldn't leave without taking Zachary with her.

Zachary drew a deep breath. If Annalise had gotten custody of him and walked out on Steven, he might have a new father and sister now. Things wouldn't be quite as bleak.

He looked down, the usual light gone from his eyes.

Harry couldn't help feeling sorry for the kid when he saw the latter's crestfallen expression, but he had no words of solace to offer him.

Harry knew Zachary was a bright and perceptive child. Zachary had unconditionally sided with Steven and had grown up a lot since Steven abandoned him. He understood what was happening around him, even without anyone explaining it to him.

There was nothing Harry or the other grown-ups could do with a premature child-like Zachary aside from supporting his decisions. They would step in and praise or

ve

encourage him if the situation called for it.

MS

...

Meanwhile, Steven did not leave after getting into his car. Instead, he leaned intonoveldrama

his seat and seriously considered Zane's parting words to him.