The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Steven stayed rooted to the spot, watching Annalise disappear from view. He was only making things harder for her because of Jessica, and it was just pushing Annalise further away. But he'd have no reason to see her if he didn't do that. Steven felt completely lost. How was he supposed to get close to Annalise without making her angry?

The car pulled up to the kindergarten just as Willow was finishing class. The second she saw me, she grabbed Penelope's hand and ran over, shouting, "Mommy, I missed you so much!"

I bent down, scooped Willow up, and said softly, "I missed you, too."

She snuggled into my arms, giggling with joy.

Penelope darted over to Suzy, already looking for attention.

Willow fixed her gaze on Penelope. Zane caught on to what Willow was thinking and calmly asked, "Didn't you two want to know how toy planes flew the other day? I got a teacher to come by and give you a little lesson."

He turned to Penelope. "Do you want to come over tonight and join us?"

Penelope looked at Suzy, her face lighting up. "Mommy, is that okay?"

"Of course," Suzy replied with a warm smile. She'd be going home with Howard anyway.

Willow was thrilled. "That's awesome!"

I carried Willow into the car, and on the way home, she couldn't stop talking about her day at school. Penelope sat beside me. She chimed in whenever Willow paused for a breath.

It was already pretty lively with just the two of them.

Zachary stood at the school entrance, watching them drive off, feeling strangely off-balance.noveldrama

Penelope had barely spent time with Willow, but they already seemed like family. The more he thought about it, the more it felt unfair.

If Steven hadn't pushed him into meeting dessica-constantly going on about how Jessica was better than Annalise-he'd probably be living with Annalise at the Huxham residence by now.

He'd be looking after Willow like she was his little sister. Tears welled up in his eyes as jealousy gnawed at him.

He got in the car and said to Harry, "Let's follow them."

Harry hesitated. "Your Grandma

Matilda's already settled in at home. It's her first day there. She'll be alone if you're away and probably think you're not happy she's here.

Zachary paused for a moment. That made sense.

"Alright, let's head home," he said.

Just as Harry was about to start the car, someone knocked on the window. Zachary glanced over and saw Steven standing outside. A wave of anger hit him, but he pushed it down.

He rolled down the window and asked, "What do you want?"

"Your Grandma Matilda came by to see me today," Steven said, jumping straight to the point. "She asked me to record a video saying I'm cutting ties with you." "Oh?" Zachary was confused as to why Steven was bringing this up out of nowhere.

"I recorded the video."

"And?" Zachary frowned.

Steven couldn't help but vent about Matilda. "You're my son. How could I possibly ignore you? She's making me do this to tear us apart!"

Upon gearing how self-righteous

Steven sounded and seeing the serious look on his face, Zachary couldn't help but laugh. "But you were already ignoring me before Grandma Matilda even brought this up weren't you?"