The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven) novel Chapter 429

An airy chuckle escaped me as I replied, "Yes."

Steven argued, "At least do it for Zachary!"

"Didn't you wash your hands of him long ago?" My voice was even. "You shut out and push away those around you whenever you're in a bad mood. That's just the way you work, Steven.

"Remember when you told me you loved Jessica? Look at how that turned out. And now, you claim you love me and want me to go back to you. Is your love that cheap, Steven?"

He shook his head frantically. "That's not true, Annalise. I can change. If you like, I'll—"

I cut him off, "No, I want nothing from you. I'm not getting back together with you because I'm done with the pain and suffering you put me through.

"What if you fall for another woman someday and betray me again?" I eyed him grimly. "Do you know why I chose Zane?"

Steven gave another shake of his head. He genuinely didn't know.

Warmth and indulgence filled my eyes as I explained, "Because I never have to worry about him hurting me the way you did."

Steven retorted almost instinctively, "How would you know? How are you so sure? Don't fool yourself into thinking he's a saint, Annalise!

"All men are the same; we won't settle for the woman of our dreams. We'll always think about other women."

I pointed out slowly, "Technically, that's not true. You, for example, believed Jessica was the best you could have before you made things official between you. After we divorced and you got together with her, you changed your mind and thought I was the best.

"You'll always want what you can't have, believing that what is out of reach is the best for you. And that's why you can never get what you want.

"I knew considered that I would encounter many problems if I got together with Annalise, and I was prepared to deal with them. I knew we would get through any hardship together."

Steven must not have expected someone to come along and love Annalise so wholeheartedly. He had mistreated her during their marriage, and it irked him to know that someone else cherished her.

"A man like you can have any woman he wants, so how could you possibly fall for Annalise? She's a divorcée with a kid, and you've never dated. You can't seriously think she's good enough for you!"

It seemed Steven had resorted to denigrating me after failing to get me back. I smirked and did not correct him.

"You must not appreciate or genuinely like Annalise if you think of her that way," Zane pointed out as he fixed Steven with a grave look. He added emphatically, "The way I see it, Annalise is gentle and quiet, but she is braver and tougher than she looks. Not to mention, she has great foresight.

"You didn't notice how extraordinary she was because you confined her to the role of a housewife during your marriage. She was forced to bury her many talents because of you, yet you blamed her for not being as accomplished as others."