The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Jessica received the presents and thanked each of them. She was even moved to tears and choked out, "I can't believe my dream came true. We're actually becoming a real family. I'm over the moon!"

"Don't say that." Steven appeared reluctant to see her cry and consoled her awkwardly, "Eat, or the food will go cold."

They happily headed to the dining area.

Right then, Steven halted suddenly and turned on his heels. I was standing right at the door, and his smile instantly froze. The others similarly turned toward me upon noticing his movement. When they realized I was back, their faces darkened. I looked at them, struggling to suppress my intense fury.

It had been less than a week since I had a miscarriage, yet not only did my perpetrator feel zero ounce of remorse, but et pretended nothing had happened, celebrating in my house!

I withdrew my icy gaze and went straight to my bedroom, not planning to waste a second interacting with them.

Steven suddenly grabbed my wrist when I walked past him. "Just in time, honey. Come eat with us."

Oven

I stopped and scoffed at him. "You're celebrating her and her son's additions to the family as you all become a family of four. What am I celebrating? That you guys got what you wanted and made me lose my baby?"

I had always been soft and gentle speaking at home, and no matter how ridiculous he acted, I would never humiliate him in front of others. This was the first time I made an exception. I was firm, cold, and harsh.

Naturally, Steven wasn't used to it. He was about to respond, but I couldn't care less about what he had to say. Breaking free from his grip, I strode toward my bedroom.

Right when I was about to push open the door, Zachary charged over and blocked my way like a cub protecting its territory. "This room belongs to Mommy Jessie. You can't go in!"

In other words, Jessica had occupied my bedroom as well. She had truly infiltrated my house.

Being blocked in my way, I turned to Steven behind Zachary and enunciated, "Explain."

Steven chose his words carefully. "You haven't been back in the last few days. Plus, she's a single woman with a child... It won't be convenient for her to squeeze into the guest room. "So, I thought she could move into this room first."

I watched my husband invest so much thought into matters concerning another woman.

Initially, I planned to disclose the evidence of Jessica inciting Zachary into harming me, just so he would feel embarrassed by how wrong he was about her. But I had changed my mind.

From what I observed, Steven cared for Jessica so deeply that he continually lowered his boundaries, prioritizing her over his own family to keep her happy. Even if I gave him the evidence now, he would only presume I was making a big deal out of nothing in her defense. Thus, I planned not to let him have his way.

Without any expression, I said, "But I'm back now.'

Steven reluctantly refused, "It's not a good time to make her move out now."

"It's okay, Steven. Don't stress about this. I'll leave." Jessica displayed her caringness. "I told you it wouldn't make sense for me to stay in the master bedroom. After all, this is your home, while I'm just a guest."

She looked like she was ready to leave.

"No." Steven stopped her.

Even Zachary rushed up to her and hugged her waist. "Mommy, from the day you moved in, this bedroom has been yours only!" Steven openly agreed with him, "He's right."

Then, Jessica looked apologetically at me. "I'm sorry, Annalise. It's not that I'm trying to hog your room, but they're not letting me go."

Steven frowned. "You don't have to apologize to her. It's not your fault." Seemingly dissatisfied with my attitude, he berated me, "Hey, Annalise. I know you're not supposed to be discharged yet." CERET 17F

2/20

"And?" I had no plan to put up with this. "Am I forbidden to come home just because you told your mistress to move in?"

Yet, Steven was resolute. "Just stay in the guest room with me! What's so complicated about this? All you ever do is crash the party. I don't even know what you're thinking."

With that, he brought Jessica back to the living room.

Pfft!

"Shouldn't you know best about what I'm thinking?" I snickered.

Steven turned around.

"Our son repeatedly told you how he wanted us to get a divorce." I stayed calm and enunciated, "You only care about Jessica, don't you? If so, why not just get over with the divorce now? Once you agree, everything will be so much easier." Standing before me, Jessica, Zachary, and Cody stared at Steven with anticipation.

My wonderful son was more decisive than his dad, urging, "Daddy, just say yes!"

Steven stayed silent, so I continued, "After our divorce, I won't be stepping into his house anymore. Anyone can move in for all I care. I won't be bothered by whoever occupies the master bedroom, either." Following that, I entered the bedroom.

Outside the door was the exasperated family of four, banging on my door, calling me shameless for occupying "Jessica's room". But what about it?

As long as I remained Steven's lawful wife, I wouldn't let them enjoy a single day of comfort in this house.

That would be the interest for all the harmful acts they had done to me.

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Old habits died hard. I told myself I would rest more, yet I woke up at 6:00 am sharp.

I opened my door and found Steven blocking my way with a disapproving look. "Honey, I've thought about it the whole night, and I genuinely think you should apologize to Jessica."

Huh? Did he knock on his head or something? Why was he spewing bullshit so early in the morning?

I looked at him with utter disdain.

He continued staring at me and said, "I know you're sad about the baby, but Jessica is our guest. You were really rude to her last night."

Since the day we got married, I always agreed with him unconditionally. Perhaps Steven had become so accustomed to my compliance that he expected me to immediately apologize as soon as he asked.