The Unveiled Rose novel Chapter 107

It was clear what Jessica was asking. Cody had to have that locket.

But Steven was not playing along. "I've given you plenty of money lately. If you want to give Cody one, take him shopping yourself."

As he spoke, he gently nudged Zachary. "Do you want to open it and see if you like it?"

"Yeah!" Zachary had caught on.

While Steven often sided with Jessica and Cody, he still protected Zachary when it really mattered.

Zachary set the bag aside and opened the jewelry box. Staring at the gleaming gold locket, he declared, "I love it, Daddy!"

"You'd better find a safe place for it, then," Steven said as he patted Zachary's back.

Zachary scampered back to his bedroom. After closing the door, he opened his custom desk. Inside was a hidden drawer containing a few bankbooks.

They detailed all the money Annalise had saved for him. There were also some property deeds, mostly for retail spaces, which Annalise had bought for him.

Zachary started to put the locket in with them before changing his mind and closing the drawer. He found another spot for the locket instead.

Then, he opened his door, only to see Steven playing with Cody while Jessica cheered them on. The happy scene only made him feel even lonelier.

Zachary suddenly realized that there was a limit to Steven's love for him. He would defend Zachary one time, then act like Cody was his real son the next second.

As she spoke, her voice turned sad. "He's been so much better lately."

I just smiled and asked, "Has he?"

"Yeah." Her voice got even quieter. "What about you, Mommy? Will you forgive him?"

Her question surprised me. I looked down at her curled in my arms.

When I did not answer, she continued, "When Zachary was mean, you didn't want him around. But now that he's being good..." Her voice started to crack.

Seeing tears well up in her big eyes, I quickly wiped them away. "Why are you crying, Willow?"