The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven) novel Chapter 510

I was stumped by Willow's bluntness. She continued, "I'm guessing Penelope told you about it?"

I did not deny it. "Yes."

"The bullying did happen," Willow confessed now that she knew I had heard about it. "But I've grown stronger since I started training and stopped caring about what others say about me.

"If they tease me, I tease them right back. If they call me names, I'll do the same to them. Plus, I don't think they can beat me in a fight."

She sounded pleased with herself, adding, "I handled the matter on my own, so I didn't feel the need to bring it up to you, Mommy." For good measure, she clarified, "But I promise I wasn't trying to keep it a secret from you."

"I'm so proud of you, Willow," I said as I pulled her into my arms. "You handled the bullying splendidly despite your young age."

She gave me a shy smile.

I asked, "Are you angry with Penelope for telling me about the bullying incident?"

Willow shook her head as she said, "No. I'd do the same thing if she got picked on because we're friends who look out for each other."

Other children might be upset if they found out their friends had ratted them out to their parents, but Willow was different. She was mature enough to see things from Penelope's perspective.

I cupped her cheeks and kissed her forehead. "You're so grown-up, Willow."

Willow blushed as she asked, "You think so?"

Annalise would not be leaving Willow's room that night, yet he found himself wishing she would and join him for a late-night chat. He was even jealous of the little girl for occupying Annalise's attention!

He chided himself for being so childish.

There was a time when he didn't mind being away from her for several days in a row, but that was before they started going out. Now that they were dating, he grew uneasy not having her by his side for even one night.

But Annalise would be autographing her new comics tomorrow. They wouldn't see each other for a whole day, and the thought alone made him feel forlorn.

Zane could only pray that he was busy enough tomorrow to keep his mind off Annalise.

He turned and headed into his bedroom, wondering if this was what love was like.