The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)
Chapter 178

Zane picked up a folder on his desk.

In his own opinion, his feelings for Annalise had reached far deeper than he himself had imagined.

...

Willow seemed to especially like the new friend she'd made.

Most of the other children had already gone home. However, she was still reluctant to walk out of the school gates, her small hand holding tightly onto another girl's even as she stared fixedly at her. I was also happy that she had made a new friend, so naturally, I didn't press her.

"Ms. Annalise, Cody was bullying Willow in school again."

At the sound of the familiar voice, I lowered my head to look.

Zachary's hands clutched tightly at the hem of his shirt as he looked up at me, continuing, "But I stood up to him for Willow, so he didn't succeed."

As if I was just speaking to another one of Willow's classmates, I replied calmly and politely, "Thank you."

He stood frozen on the spot for quite a while before finally replying, "You're welcome."

As he spoke, he started backing away. "I'm leaving first. Goodbye."

"Goodbye," I echoed.

...

Zachary practically flew back to the car. Once the door was closed behind him, he burst into tears. His tears flowed uncontrollably, and he hurriedly wiped them away with his hands.

He didn't understand. He'd already fulfilled his wish and spoken to Annalise, so why was he still so upset?

Was it because the moment he called her "Ms. Annalise", it was as if the mother-son relationship between them was abruptly severed? Or was it because the way she spoke to him sounded like how she would speak to an unfamiliar child? Harry watched him crying miserably and made an attempt to console him by asking, "Since calling her such makes you so upset, then why still call her that?"

He replied through hiccups, "She won't pay any attention to me at all when I call her 'Mommy."

Harry sighed, feeling sympathy for the child in front of him.

Zachary leaned against the car window, staring unblinkingly at Annalise as he murmured, "Mommy... I miss you so much."

The little girl's mother arrived, upon which Willow finally made her way over to me slowly.

She said quietly, "Mommy, Cody was really bad today. He suddenly ran up to me and told me that he hated me and that he would still bully me in the future." Her voice became even quieter as she continued, "It was Zachary who helped me."

I picked her up in a hug.

Willow wrapped her arms around my shoulders, adding, "But I'd rather be bullied by Cody than let Zachary help me."

I took the initiative to ask, "Why?"

"Because he hurt you before," replied Willow before she suddenly started to cry. "I don't want you to be sad."

Zane opened the car door.

I got into the car and put her down, gently helping her wipe her tears. Of course, I was really happy that she was so considerate of me, but I also wanted the best for her.

So, I said, "But Mommy thinks that no matter who it is, it's good enough that they're willing to protect our little Willow and allow her to spend a happy time in school." She gazed at me.

In response, I simply cupped her face and gave her a kiss.

Still down, she said, "You're so kind, Mommy. I love you."

I hugged her as I responded, "Me, too."

...

Zachary was in a bad mood today, but when he saw Annalise's car leaving, he still asked Harry to follow after them.

Harry asked in confusion, "Won't you be even more upset if you see her now?"