The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chloe remembered that Steven had been constantly thinking about Annalise since his divorce. He used to visit her every few days. But recently, he hadn't contacted her for a long time.

Chloe decided to visit Steven's house and check on him. She knocked on the door, but no one answered. Thinking Steven might still be working overtime and hadn't returned, she took out her key and opened the door. Just then, Chloe heard Steven repeatedly calling out Annalise's name. She assumed Annalise had come over and was arguing with him.

Chloe immediately frowned and said, "Annalise, you've already separated from Steven. Stay away from him! What are you doing sneaking into his house? Isn't dating Zane enough for you? You still want to get involved with Steven?" As she walked into the living room, she realized Annalise wasn't there at all. Instead, bottles of alcohol lay scattered across the floor.

Chloe frowned upon noticing the strong smell of alcohol. She asked, "Where's Annalise?"

Steven's mind went blank. It took him a while to process Chloe's words before he looked up at her and said, "She isn't here."

Chloe didn't believe him at all. "Then why were you calling out Annalise's name just now? She must want to get back together with you but is too embarrassed to face me. She's hiding, right?"

Chloe took out her key, locked the front door, and then began searching for Annalise.

Steven didn't attempt to stop her as she searched the house.

After checking every room and finding no trace of Annalise, Chloe confronted Steven. "Did she sneak out?"

"You locked the door, didn't you? How could she leave without a key?" Steven lay listlessly on the couch, staring at the ceiling while his mind replayed the scene he had just imagined. It felt so good to be cared for.

Tears welled up in his eyes again. When Annalise lived here, she always took good care of him. She made breakfast and chose his clothes for the day. When he drank, she'd make soup.

Annalise was always gentle, never scolding him even when he repeated

mistakes, only asking him to be 1.9

more careful next time. Yet he had failed to cherish her.

Chloe stood stunned for a moment before asking, "Then who were you talking to earlier?"

"Just myself," Steven replied.

Upon hearing Steven's choked voice and seeing his dejected state, Chloe felt a pang of sympathy. "Is Annalise really worth longing for like this?"

Steven didn't answer her. "I don't know, Mom. I just know I can't control myself."

"Wait here," Chloe said, striding to the balcony. Remembering Annalise had blocked her, she called her using another phone number.

...

When I saw an unfamiliar number, I answered, "Hello?"

Chloe's stern voice came through. "I'll send you an address. Come over."

I chuckled. "Why should I come just because you sent me an address?"

Chloe snapped, "Because Steven is drunk because of you! Are you satisfied now?"noveldrama

I frowned. What kind of madness was this?

Chloe commanded, "You must come

and take care of him! It's all your fault. If you had endured when my son cheated and continued to live with him, he wouldn't have ended up like this! Understand?"

Chloe's dislike for me deepened with every word. If Steven hadn't been pitifully calling my name, she

wouldn't have wanted to say another word to me.