The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Willow smiled as she felt like the happiest child on earth.

Zane got up after us, and after washing up, we went out to jog together.

Then, we took our showers and had breakfast together. The food prepared by the family chef was perfectly suited to our tastes.

Willow wolfed down on her food and finished her milk. After that, Zane and I took her to school.

...

When Cody got up in the morning, he didn't let his disdain show when he saw Steven in the living room. Instead, he smiled and asked, "You're still here, Daddy!" Steven happily replied, "Yeah."

Then, Cody suggested, "Why don't you send me to school today? The other kids have their parents drop them off at school, but I'm the only one who gets dropped off by the driver. Over time, I'm sure they'll think I'm an orphan."

As Cody spoke, his voice softened, and he sounded pitiful.

Steven couldn't help but sympathize with Cody, so he said, "Sure. I'll send you to school after breakfast."

Immediately after, Steven felt bad for Zachary. After all, Cody still had his mother by his side, but Zachary did not have his mother or his father.noveldrama

Steven wondered if Zachary had been bullied in school, and yet Zachary never tried to gain his pity.

At that thought, a sharp pain pulsed within Steven's chest.

Both Zachary and Annalise were the kind to keep things to themselves, which made it easy for other people to overlook their feelings.

Steven felt the need to console Zachary, but before that, he had to ask Cody what a child his age would need.

Cody smiled and said, "Thank you. I love you, Daddy!"

Steven gently ruffled Cody's hair,

and

continued to eat

see that the two were geseel

breakfast. Jessica was Jessica was pleased to

along.

She announced, "I made breakfast today! It's been a while since we ate as a

family, so I didn't want anyone to interfere."

Cody immediately said, "Thank you, Mommy! It must be tiring for you to prepare

so much food when you're pregnant."

Jessica said gently, "You're welcome."

As Steven listened to their conversation, he suddenly froze.

"Is it tiring to cook when you're pregnant?" Steven wondered.

In the past, Annalise would get up daily to prepare a sumptuous breakfast, even when she was pregnant.

Jessica only did that occasionally, but Annalise did it every day.

Steven never thought it wote

exhausting for Annalise.

Meanwhile, Annalise willingly did it out of love, and she never complained about it.

At that thought, Steven felt as if his

lne

heart had been ripped out of his ge

chest. When she noticed the change in his expression, Jessica hurriedly asked, "What's wrong?"

Steven shook his head and said, "It's nothing. I just worry that you'd be too tired."

Jessica replied, "Oh, I'm not."

After more small talk over breakfast, Steven drove Cody to school.