The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Ever since Willow could talk normally with her grandparents and Penelope, she had stopped her mirror practice sessions. Instead, she spent that time reading books. It was bedtime by the time she finished her routine. I tiptoed out of Willow's room after she fell asleep. Zane caught my eye and headed toward the balcony. I knew he wanted to talk, so I followed.

The balcony lights were on, but everything beyond was enveloped by the mysterious darkness of the night. I settled into a chair, savoring the peaceful silence.

Zane sat beside me. Since it was too late for coffee, he brought water instead.

His cool voice broke the silence. "Before the divorce, your life with Steven must have been pretty miserable, wasn't it?"

Strange. Though his tone was neutral, I could hear the concern underneath.

I chose my words carefully. "Back then, I thought marriage meant working through problems together, so I tried not to overthink things. But looking back, I realize I was the only one really trying."

My voice remained steady. "When he messed up, all he had to do was explain his side, and I'd let it go. I thought it wasn't worth fighting over small things. But when I made mistakes...

"He'd bring them up again and again even after explaining myself and apologizing."

I found myself wondering why I had ever fallen for Steven in the first place.

I continued, "I thought he was trying to help me avoid making the same mistakes, so I worked hard to fix everything he pointed out.

"Then, I realized he just didn't like me. When he finally caught me making mistakes, he used them as a chance to make things difficult for me."

The evening breeze was surprisingly gentle as it brushed against my skin.novelbin

I mused, "I could feel his dislike toward me. Yet now, he claims he loves me. How can I possibly believe that?"

My voice stayed level. "How can you claim to love someone while constantly trying to make them miserable?"

"I've never been actually romantically

interested in anyone my age." Zane reflected, "But I have Willow. "I suppose what I feel for her is like

any guardian's love for their child,

right?"

en

He continued thoughtfully, "I want to give her the best of everything just to see her smile. When I find someone I truly love, I imagine it'd feel somewhat similar." I agreed, "We must think alike, then."

...

Down in his car, Steven watched

Zane and Annalise talking on the balcony. He could not hear what

they were saying, but he saw then et

tenderness in Zane's eyes and

Annalise looking gentle as usual.

Though there was nothing intimate about their interaction, his chest still tightened painfully. He wished be could rush up there and tell Zane to stay away from Annalise.