The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Today, Willow wanted to enjoy some family

family time with just the three of us. She specifically asked the driver not to come along. Zane was driving, and I sat in the back with Willow.

She leaned affectionately against me, fiddling with my clothes. I gently patted her shoulder, pondering about how to ask her to start talking to people other than Zane and me. After hesitating for a while, I carefully said, "Willow, would you be willing to help Mommy with something?"NôvelDrama.Org content rights.

Willow immediately sat up, her eyes sparkling with eagerness, "What is it?"

It seemed like she was excited to help me with something. I slowed my speech. "Could you try talking to other people?"

Willow straightened her posture, her little face turning serious. I didn't interrupt her, giving her the time to think it over.

"Mommy..." Willow looked troubled, her head hanging low. "I don't think I can do it."

Her tone was apologetic, as if she had done something wrong. I couldn't bear to blame her for it. Besides, she hadn't actually done anything wrong.

1 patiently reassured her. "It's okay."

Willow looked at me in disbelief. I continued to ask, "So you're saying it's hard to talk to everyone?"

Willow nodded. "Yes."

1 pressed on, "What if it's just your grandparents?"

Willow shook her head again. "I can't."

She explained further, "I can only talk normally with you and Daddy. With other people, it's like my mouth is sewn shut. I just can't open it."

Tunderstood. Asking Willow to start communicating with others wasn't going to work, but that was fine.

I could think of other ways.

Willow nervously asked, "Do you think I'm not a good kid, Mommy?" Her tone sounded so sad, as if she was afraid I wouldn't like her anymore.

"Of course not." I pressed my cheek against her little head.

"Everyone has things they can't do, no matter how hard they try. The fact that you're honest about it makes you very brave."

Willow's face brightened. "Really?"

I loved seeing her being lively. "Sure."

When the delivery finally arrived, Zachary had to use all his strength just to open the door. He had been so hungry at first, but his appetite seemed to have disappeared.

Jessica had ordered breakfast for him. It was a few egg sandwiches and a bowl of chicken noodle soup. He took a sip of the soup, and it

was warm.

Tears started falling uncontrollably. All his life, Zachary had been the most pampered kid in the family. Someone would always be there with him no matter what time they ate. This was the first time he was eating alone. Zachary felt worse. Tears mixed with his soup as he finished it. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to finish the sandwiches.

He lay listlessly on the couch. He tried hard to recall

her to Steven

fessica used to be so kind to him. But in the past couple of days, it felt like she suddenly despised him. She said it was because he told

But even before that, Jessica had stopped picking him real reason?

up from school, She also didn't take him to play anymore. So, what was the