The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

"You said you didn't want to acknowledge me as your mother and that you wouldn't support me."

Chloe felt genuinely hurt. In her view, everything she'd done was for her son. Why had it come to this?

"I'm deeply saddened. But..."

Chloe took a deep breath before continuing, "If you want to blame anyone, blame me, not Jessica."

Steven looked at both of them. They were protecting each other, each trying to shoulder the responsibility.

Steven's emotions were in turmoil. "It's not your fault. It's mine. If only I'd been more emotionally stable."

He was the one who ended up hurt the most and lost his ability to have children in the future. Yet somehow, he'd become the one at fault. He felt helpless but had no choice but to compromise. "Shall we go home now?"

Jessica glanced discreetly at Chloe, who nodded. She then said, "I didn't think you wouldn't raise the child."

Steven looked at Jessica in surprise. "Who made you think this way?"

Jessica murmured, "I can't say."

"Then, you're protecting them!" Steven grew angrier. If it weren't for the person planting these ideas in Jessica's mind, his child would still be safe.

Jessica hesitated, then said, "It was Zachary. He told me you'd abandon him, so you'd surely abandon the child I'm carrying. That's why I thought if you had a vasectomy and couldn't have more children, maybe things would be better."

Jessica had initially considered blaming Annalise but realized she was an adult who could defend herself. Moreover, Annalise had Zane, who could help prove her innocence. en

Steven would surely discover that the so-called instigation was just a lie. So, she had to give up that idea.

After considering her options, she decided on Zachary. As Steven's son, he had the right to say such things. Most importantly, Zachary was a kid, unable to fight back.

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Jessica's voice sounded pitiful.

Hearing this, Steven snapped, "Zachary? He targeted an unborn child to get backnoveldrama

at me. He's so vicious. I'm going to find him right now!"

As he was about to leave, Chloe quickly stopped him. "I'm still on your blacklist. Can you remove me?"

Steven paused, swiftly unblocking Chloe.

Chloe whispered, "And the living expenses?"

Steven contacted his secretary, instructing them to resume Chloe's regular allowance. With that, he left.

Zachary was alone in his room doing homework when something occurred to him. He glanced at the room's surveillance camera.

The small robot beside him gently spoke in Annalise's distinctive voice. "My dear son, why did you stop doing your homework? Is something wrong?"