The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

The dining room was large and brightly lit, but the food on the table was cold, and the candles had all melted away.

Annalise sat in silence by the dining table. When she heard Steven's footsteps, she looked up and asked, "Didn't you say you'd be celebrating our anniversary together? What took you so long?"

It was in that moment that Steven realized he had forgotten to tell Annalise about his whereabouts. He hurriedly apologized.

"I'm sorry, honey. I got caught up with work, and I couldn't make it back to celebrate with you. I'm sorry."

Back then, Steven genuinely wanted to maintain his marriage.

Annalise stared at him calmly and asked, "Are you sure you were working? You know I don't like liars, and you know the consequences of lying to me."

Somehow, Steven felt intimidated. He said, "I went to pick up a friend."noveldrama

But Steven wasn't sure if Annalise believed him, and she continued to ask, "Male or female?"

"Female, and she came with a child. I promise I don't have any ulterior motives," Steven said honestly.

Annalise believed in him, and she never mentioned it again. However, it was true that Steven had ulterior motives.

As these memories replayed in Steven's head, he couldn't help but wonder if Annalise had heard about his meeting with Jessica from someone else. But as he processed it further, things didn't add up-after all, if Annalise had found out, she wouldn't have compromised.

Just then, Steven uncontrollably teared up and sniffled.

Steven wondered why he had to betray Annalise when she had treated him so well. Even when he gave Annalise a small living allowance, she still took good care of their family-Steven never had to worry about Zachary or Chloe.

He wondered why he was never content.

"I should've given Annalise more money and treated her better," Steven thought.

He wished he had shifted his focus back to Annalise and spent more time with her. He wished he hadn't been so torn between Jessica and Annalise.

Steven also wondered if an earlier divorce would've hurt less for Annalise.

A whirlwind of thoughts surged into Steven's mind, leaving him feeling overwhelmed.

...

Steven couldn't fall asleep-he couldn't stop thinking about the time he first met Annalise.

At that time, Annalise was in her fourth year of university. She was composed and quiet; she was always the listener among her peers, only giving input after everyone finished discussing. But when the others began another round of discussion, she would fall silent again.

Even then, Steven had been

interested in Annalise. He wondered why a beautiful and intelligent

woman like Annalise wasn't thet

center of attention. In his opinten Annalise was prettier than Jessica, but Jessica had a better personality that made her the center of

attention.

ес

Because of Steven's curiosity, he approached Annalise. Even now, he couldn't tell if he had fallen in love at first sight or if he had only wanted to satisfy his curiosity.

Since then, Steven would show up in front of Annalise at the same time every day.

In the beginning, Annalise was on guard. She was wary when faced with a

stranger and kept a distance from him.

Steven tried to pursue Annalise, but no matter how hard he tried to start a conversation, she would always cut it short.