The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Willow giddily Laughed. She placed her arms around my neck, leaned closer to my face, and spoke proudly. "You're the best, Mommy!" I hopped her tightly to reciprocate, "You're the best, too, Willow!"

Willow broke free from my embrace, held my hand, and led me upstairs in a hurry just then. "Come on, Mommy! I can't wait for bath time!"

There was a bathtub in Willow's bathroom. She wanted a bath today, so I paid close attention to the water temperature while filling the

tub.

Meanwhile, Willow brought out her bath toys, like rubber ducks and other toys. She then placed them all in the tub before picking out a set of pajamas. Once she finished doing that, the faintest beads of sweat formed on her forehead.

Yet, her eyes still twinkled with excitement. The tub was also filled by then. Willow obediently sat with her back against the side of the bathtub and looked up at me.

It was strange. I didn't do much for Willow. In fact, I only put in half the effort it took to care for Zachary,Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

Even so, Willow depended on and liked me a lot. She made me feel like all my efforts would be reciprocated and were worth it,

I was very much content with my current life because of her.

"Mommy," Willow suddenly said. I sat beside the bathtub and asked, "What is it?"

Willow was hesitant to ask for my company when we first met. She feared I would say no to her. So, she always her requests.

stuttered while voicing

However, based on our conversation earlier, she finally believed I loved her and didn't mind pampering her. She was no longer afraid of asking me to do things Willow animatedly asked, "Could you help blow-dry my hair later?"

I casually rested my arm against the tub's edges and smilingly replied, "But of course."

Willow didn't play the tub anymore after hearing that. She speedily cleaned herself before getting me to he

help wash her hair.

I merrily did as asked. Then, I turned on the shower head and covered Willow's eyes, not wanting the water to get into them.

In the meantime, Willow peacefully lay against the side of the tub. Her eyes sparkled at me as if she were trying to imprint this moment into her memories.

Once I finished washing Willow's hair, I reached for a towel, lightly dried her hair, and placed another fresh towel over her shoulders. Finally, I turned on the hairdryer.

I dried her hair in the medium setting. That said, I knew it was still hot for a child, so I had to pay close attention to the temperature and avoid burning her.

Willow's smile grew wider. She kept smiling until I put the hairdryer away. Then, she rushed into my arms for a hug. "It's great to

have mommy."

I hugged her back before lightly patting her back. "Indeed."

Steven brought Zachary home after the latter received an IV drip at the hospital. The lights in the living room were already off. Because of that, the entire place was dark and felt vacant. Steven couldn't help frowning. Annalise would always keep the lights on back when he used to live with her. She made it so that he would feel welcome whenever he got home.

A deep frown marred Steven's forehead. "Jessica!"

"What is it?" Jessica spoke as if she had just awoken from her sleep. Her voice was soft and sounded almost pouty, but also like she was upset at Steven.

Steven detected the displeasure in her tone. "Were you already asleep?"

He could understand it if Jessica hadn't gone with them to the hospital if she was too tired from being pregnant. That said, it had been two hours since he and Zachary had gone to the hospital. Vet, Jessica hadn't given them a single phone call.

That was when Steven suddenly realized something-although Jessica often claimed to see Zachary as her biological son, her actions proved otherwise.