The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter

42

Steven was taken aback by that question. It took him a while to answer, "Mommy Jessie can't look after you

because

He wanted to say Jessica had already gone out to buy things and prepare a surprise for Zachary. However, before he could utter those words, he realized something was amiss.

Jessica often said she needed to rest up and not overexert herself for the baby's sake, or it would affect the baby's development. Yet, wasn't it also tough on her body to go shopping all day?

Wouldn't that mean Jessica didn't mind exhausting her body to go shopping but refused to do the same to look after Zachary? Zachary noticed Steven was silent for a long time. He dubiously questioned, "What about Mommy Jessie?"

"Nothing."Steven ultimately held Zachary dearly because the latter was his only biological son, It was natural that he valued Zachary more. "Let's go home and tell Mommy Jessie that she has to pick you up from school, no matter how busy she is tomorrow. How about tha "Okay!" replied a satisfied Zachary. Then, he murmured, "I want all the lids in my class to see how Mommy Jessie treats me better than if I were her biological son.."

"She will." Steven chuckled in amusement. The Jessica he knew was a kind, loving woman. She couldn't possibly bear to disappoint Zachary

Willow would spend around half an hour on her electronic gadgets every day. She used to watch short videos before I came to live with ber. Now that I had become a part of her life, she preferred to stick with me and ask me to watch some television with her. That said, Willow seemed distracted today. She kept sneaking glances at me while watching the television.

I rested lazily against the couch with one hand behind my head. A smile curved on my face as I asked, "What's wrong?"

Willow grabbed the remote to turn off the television once she heard my question. Subsequently, she inched closer to me.

As for Zane, he seemed confused after seeing Willow had turned off the television. In the past, Willow would always pout at him for more television or iPad time after her 30-minute limit ended.

Yet, she had shockingly stopped watching television earlier than her time limit. Willow hung her head low, clearly feeling awloward about her following request.

Mommy, I want you to help bathe me..." Her voice sounded like the tiniest squeak. Then, she hid her head in Zane's embrace like she was afraid I would turn her down.

She continued, "It's okay if you don't want to..."

I smiled and asked, "Who said I didn't want to?"

Willow raised her head to gawp at me with wide eyes. "But people say it's too troublesome to bathe a child,"

Before I could say anything, Zane interrogated her with a stern frown. "Who told you that?"

He seemed fully ready i

y to fire the nannies be had hired if any of them dared utter such nonsense in front of Willow.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

Willow answered without much thought, "I heard it from a video."

That rendered Zane speechless. It seemed he was worried for nothing. Yet, since we were already on this topic, he probably felt I was necessary to clarify things.

"Do any of the nannies grumble whenever they have to bathe you?

Willow thought about it seriously. "Sometimes.."

Zane's expression withered just then. Yet, that was when Willow hesitantly added, "They're upset that bath time's too short Sometimes, they wish we could keep playing a little longer whenever I have bubble baths," Zane was exasperated as he pinched Willow's cheek with barely any force. He scoffed. "Can you please finish your sentences in one go and not cut them oft halfway?"

A mischievous laugh came from Willow before she hugged Zane again and turned to ask me, "What about you, Mommy?" This time, she spoke cautiously. "Would you find it too troublesome?

I reached out both arms. To that, Willow ditched Zane and ran over to me. I then pulled her into a hug before rubbing my cheek against hers.

"Of course not. You're my daughter, Willow. I'll do whatever you want with you. Is that clear to you?"