The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Zane and I weren't close. We only knew each other because of Willow, so I appreciated him looking out for me.

"Thanks," I said.

"No problem," Zane replied, guiding Willow into the bookstore.

They plopped down on a nearby couch. They couldn't hear what was happening over here but could still keep an eye on me.

I turned to Steven. "Mr. Pelham, we're divorced. Do I have to tell you every time I stop by a bookstore?"

Steven was at a loss for words. I added, "About my relationship with them...".

Steven stared at me, eagerly waiting for an answer. I continued slowly, "I never cared about you and Jessica. So it's natural that my life isn't your business, right?

"To put it nicely, we're just strangers now. I don't understand why you think you have the right to ask about my life."

Steven was getting more and more frustrated. I felt confused, wondering what he truly cared about.

He took a deep breath. "We're married-"

"Stop!" I interrupted, even though I was unsure where he was going with this. "That's all in the past.

Steven looked surprised by my determination. "But you can't seriously marry some random guy just to get back at me, right?"

"Get back at you?" I thought it was hilarious. "What makes you think you deserve that?"

"It's because you were so into me!" Steven replied without a second thought.

He knew how much effort I'd put in over the years, even if he didn't love me back. He knew I valued him above everything else, so he figured I'd still be caught up in him even if I managed to walk away. Steven believed

I was intentionally hanging out with Willow and Zane to irritate him because I couldn't stand watching his old flame with Jessica reignite.

I was speechless. I was definitely into him and wasn't going to deny it.

"That's behind me now. I've moved on from that relationship and started fresh. I'm happy these days, and I hope you won't bother me again," I said.

I didn't want to waste more time on him, so I went past him to look for Willow instead.

Yet, Steven blocked my path. "No way...

I looked up and met his eyes. "I've been with you all these years as your husband. I can't just sit back and let you make a mistake without stepping in," he said.

I wondered if the "mistake" he was talking about was that I had another daughter after we split up. He thought Zane was my husband, even though he never said it. But I was too exhaustedContent rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.

to explain it to him.

"Steven, I'm divorced and single now," I emphasized each word.

Honestly, I was just making a living as Willow's mother. But even if I did have a husband and kids, it wasn't his place to judge me. I continued, "I have the right to build my own family. And as for what you call a mistake, maybe you should look in the mirror." "You couldn't keep it together during our marriage, and you took Zachary along to butter up Jessica. So, what gives you the right to call

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