The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

As for Willow, she was quite a unique child. I needed to know how to improve her condition. So, I had to read more books on autism and gain the necessary knowledge to help her.

Fortunately, there was a bookshop nearby. I took broad strides to the massive bookshop with three floors. The third floor contained books with specific and professional information

My eyes roamed past the category labels on the bookshelves. From that, I figured out that psychology books were near the window. I first located the psychology section before finding some books on the introduction to autism. After paying for the books, I didn't go home right away. Instead, I stayed in the sitting area on the first floor and flipped through the

books

There were many books on autism. However, most spoke of cases where autistic children were non-verbal since birth. Only a few books mentioned cases of children like Willow.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

She only stopped talking to people after a triggering or traumatizing experience. On top of that, she was only willing to socialize with specific people

At some point, I placed the books back into the bag and leaned against my chair. It seemed I would have to find a solution to Willow's

condition on my DWTL.

Willow was very clingy now and would stick by my side at all times if she could. She also made me do everything she wanted her mom to do with her. She would even excitedly tell her family about insignificant things I did with her, like how I braided her hair. While thinking about those things, I felt a pang of regret then. Many little moments in life were so beautiful that I couldn't help but want to record them in some way

Alas, such moments were sometimes too fleeting. Some conversations were so abrupt that one couldn't whip out their camera or phone

to record at in time.

Images of Willow filled my brain just then. I ultimately couldn't help but take out a pen I had just bought. Then, I sketched out the scenes of what happened earlier this morning with simple pen strokes.

That felt like a good way of recording how much Willow touched me and filled my life with sweetness. Finally, I concentrated while writing what Willow said in a blank spot on the page.

The corners of my lips couldn't help but curve upward. It warmed me to know such a lovely child was now my daughter.

Just then, my phone rang and I casually answered it. "Hello?

Zane was straightforward in saying, "Willow will be done with school soon"

Zane had always driven Willow home since she started attending kindergarten. Because of that, he was probably used to ending his work at this time every day and driving to pick Willow up from her kindergarten. Although Willow now had me as her mom and wasn't as eager for Zane to drive her, Zane still couldn't change his habit. He said, have to pick her up together

"Alright, you can come downstairs to meet me now," I answered before packing my things and walking to his company.

Zane saw me and the bags I held once he drove out of the garage. He immediately asked once I got into the car, "What did you buy?" Some psychology books." I didn't plan on hiding/

t from him. "I want to see if there are ways to help Willow get better with socializing

H

Zane retracted his stares and didn't speak for a long time.

He was probably thinking, "Most ordinary people would've secretly prayed for Willow to never improve if it meant they got to keep

this amazing job. That way, they can keep staying by Willow's side and earn a high salary while doing a simple job."

My actions, which contradicted that thought process, probably surprised him.