The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven) novel Chapter 172

chapter 172

componded to bum 

Trans hung from Jessica’s long lashes. “But you keep your pundup around me.” 

“I don’t privata, katsow why, Jessica.” Steven admitted honestly 

“Where per close to you, there’s this uncomfortable feeling in my heart.” 

fentica bloked a tear tracing down her cheek. She wiped it away and stayed silent. 

She knew that she allowed Steven to dig deeper, he would eventually realize that he genumelly loved Annalise, not her. That would make it harder for her to get what she wanted. 

Today, Willow was up even kacher than yesterday. 

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When i went to her room, she had already finished practicing talking to herself in the mirror and was now holding a book, reading with determination. 

Hen kolon was bright and cheerful, full of that youthful energy only kids had 

Istood by the door, watching her. 

Alter a while, Willow’s face started to poul 

sit the book down and hugged my waist. “When I was talking to myself in the mirror this morning, I didn’t know what to say. So, I thought maybe I could read a book and find 

to talk abouL 

as soon as I opened the book, I led couldn’t read. I don’t know any of the words.” She started to cry, genuinely upset. 

prachy soothed ber. “That’s because you haven’t started learning yet.” 

With teary eyes, Willow looked up at me. “Then, what should I do?” 

ir you want to learn, I can reach you“I found phonics book from the bookshelf and placed it in front of her “Before we start with words, we have to start with phonies. cillow immediately wiped away her tears. “Mommy, I want to learn!” She looked so scioas 

Seeing her enthusiasm for learning I couldn’t help but supporter, so began teaching her phonics, one sound at a time. When it was time for Deluctantly saying “Momy, when I come back after my training tonight, can you sip the bedtime story? 

for her exercise se 

se session, she looked back 

“Teach mar more phonics, shay?” 

Zane, who hadn’t seen the whole scene, looked puzzled 

“Willow wants to leam to read,” L explained. 

He seemed concerned about adding more work for me “Maybe we could be a teacher for her? 

“Nowy Wdow jumped in betri could respond. 

Have a teacher, bcan’t practice speaking freely. That wouldn’t work, Daddy” 

with hopetuleyer “Mommy – 

uffled her handed with a 

“Willow is eager to land well long as you don’t mind that I’m not a professional, be happy to teach her 

Zane quickly clarified as be worted I’d misunderstood Tjust don’t want you to overwork yourself.” 

This left new to me. Back what I was married to Maven, I did all the housework–opping laundry, cooking, and everything Yet, Steven never thought I was overworked. 

But here, inthe Hunham iesidence, all I had to do was spend time with Willow, yet Zare still work ind it might be to much for me. I had to admit that Zane was a truly considerate preson Iwan abeant hetimpondalen Wille suddenly squeezed my hand tightly and spoke in a jush, “I’m sorry, Monty. I was being selfish. 

1 only thenight about braining to read quickly and forgot that you bredtest alter a long day, too” 

I gave Zane a playful plais “Look at what pun di You o ated Wilke ” 

Then, beror hard day to Willow’s eye level “Willow, Hone you love me and care about my well–being ”