The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter

60

I leaned over the railing, staring into the distance. The night was pitch black, with only the lights from countless homes flickering

the dark.Text © by N0ve/lDrama.Org.

I didn't see that question coming from Zane. I turned to him, surprised. "Give me a second to think. We got married first and then had a kid. The kid's live now, so we've been married for at least six years."

If someone had told me six years ago that I'd stop loving Steven, I wouldn't have believed it. I truly cared about him back then

But now, thinking about how I ever loved him felt unreal. What was it that drew me to him in the first place?

"If that's the case, he might keep bothering you," Zane said, sounding more serious than usual.

"No way. He's always been into Jessica." I found it funny. I'd moved on from Steven and telt at ease talking about him. "Now that he's with Jessica, it's like a dream from his past finally came true.

"If I were him, I'd cherish every moment with her instead of wasting time on someone who doesn't matter."

Zane leaned against the balcony, his gaze fixed on me. "But in his mind, you were his wife. That means you still belong to him."

I looked at Zane in disbelief. "But I'm already divorced from him."

"Guys like him are all the same," Zane said flatly. "Even if the divorce was his fault, he thinks he can have new relationships and a new- family, but his ex-wife is off-limits."

Zane couldn't help but chuckle as he spoke. It was because he had come across so many guys like Steven. "The moment the ex-wife tries to move on, a guy like him feels like she's betraying him." "People like that are just weird," I said thoughtfully. Steven didn't love me, so it was strange that he couldn't handle the idea of me starting a new life after our divorce.

"So there's a good chance Steven will keep pestering you," Zane said. His words took me back to that moment outside the bookstore. Steven came over to talk, and Willow was so scared that she clung to my leg

I quickly got Zane's point and replied calmly, "Don't worry, I won't let him scare Willow again. Plus, his weird possessiveness over someone who isn't his is his issue, not mine. He should work on that flaw, right?" Zane had almost said that he thought Steven might still have feelings for me, but he held back when he saw my calm expression. "Fair enough. As for Willow... if it's easier for you, I can take her for the next few days." He didn't want Steven bothering me. I chuckled. "It's all good. Since it's already happened, there's no point in trying to avoid it."

Then, I looked into his eyes. "Don't worry, I'll handle this."

Zane didn't say anything else. "Okay."

Back in my bedroom, I checked the time. It was already past 9:00 pm. I had planned to go straight to sleep but was worried I'd forget some details. So I turned on the light, hooked up my drawing tablet to the computer, and carefully sketched everything Willow and 1 had ex Alter drawing for several hours, I finally captured all the key moments My gaze softened as I looked at my finished piece. I gently touched the drawing of Willow, and a smile crept across my face without me even realizing it.