The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Otis was worried that Yelena might lose her determination to go after Zane.

He let out a derisive snort and said, "Think about everything you did to Annalise back then. If you were in her shoes, would you forgive someone who treated you that way?"

"No." Yelena shook her head. She had to admit that what she'd done then had crossed the line. It had been downright cruel.

Willow sat in the car, lazily resting her head against my arm. She looked up at me and asked, "Mommy, who was that woman just now?"

I chose my words carefully before saying, "She's the daughter of a prick. Neither of them means well. Just ignore them."

Willow pouted. "I could tell she wanted to steal Dad and make him her husband! She's a bad person!"

Seeing how upset she was, Zane tried to reassure her. "Don't worry. I won't be with her. I love you and your mom."

That was enough to put Willow at ease. She stressed every word as she said, "But if you ignore her, she'll just find another way to come between you and Mom and mess up your relationship. Mommy, no matter what she says, don't believe her, and don't get mad at Daddy!"

"Okay." I ruffled Willow's hair. She was still so young. Where did she even learn this stuff?

Then, I gently reassured her. "Don't worry. I'm not that easy to fool."

...

Steven had already spoken to Zane but was still curious about how Otis' plan was unfolding. Since Otis was handling everything on his own, Steven wouldn't know anything unless Otis chose to fill him in.

He dialed Otis' number. "Hello?"

"What is it?" Otis hadn't expected a call from Steven at that moment.

Steven kept his tone light. "Oh, nothing big. I just wanted to check in on your plan. You know how much I love Annalise. I really want to get back together with her!"

Otis had practically sworn to Steven that he could make it happen. Now that

Steven was following up, Otis couldn't shake the unease creeping in.

After a long pause, he finally asked, "Did you know Annalise and Zane are already married?"

"What?" Steven was stunned.

That short sentence hit him like a sledgehammer, wiping out his good mood instantly. Journalists would have picked up on it if someone like Zane had gotten married, and the news would have spread like wildfire.

However, Steven hadn't seen a single piece of news about it. As far as he knew, Annalise and Zane were just dating. There was no way they were already married.

"It happened just a few days ago. Zane told me himself," Otis said.

Steven collapsed onto the couch, completely floored. Was Otis really telling the truth?

Otis let out a sigh. "As her father, I'd

do everything in my power to bring you two back together if they

weren't married. But they're legally husband and wife now. There's

nothing I can do."

"So, you're backing out on your promise?" Steven could hear the tremor in hisnoveldrama

voice, like he was on the brink of tears.

Otis remained silent, but his silence said it all.