The Unveiled Rose

Steven's face was filled with a mix of guilt and regret, leaving me puzzled.

What was up with him?

He walked over to me. "Can we talk?"

Zane glanced down at me, too.

Steven had been acting so strange lately. He said weird things when he saw me a few days ago. Even though I was completely over him, he was convinced I was still madly in love with him. And now, he wanted to have another chat with me. I refused without hesitation, "We have nothing to discuss."

I then shifted my gaze from him to the children coming out of the kindergarten. "Everything that needed to be said was said long ago."

His voice was heavy as he said, "I just want to know something. Was I a terrible husband to you?"

What a pointless question! If he had been good to me, we probably would not be divorced.

When I did not answer, he continued, "I buy everything for Jessica whenever she pouts and wants something. It made me realize that I never bought anything for you."

Was he seriously trying to brag about his new relationship?

I was calm. "That just proves you love Jessica, which is why you want to buy things for her. And you didn't love me, so you never wanted to spend money on me."

He pressed on, "I feel terrible about it. Annalise, I want to make it up to you."

Though he sounded sincere, I was unmoved. "Don't bother. If you really want to make it up to me, just pretend you don't know me when you see me. That would be the best thing you can do for me." "Really?" Steven asked, stunned.

I confirmed, "Yes."

The first-years had all been picked up, leaving just the older kids. I spotted Willow waving excitedly at me, so I stepped forward and crouched down.

As soon as her teacher released her, she ran into my arms. "Mommy!"

"I'm here, Willow." She was so adorable I could not resist giving her a kiss on the cheek.

Willow held my hand happily and said, "Let's go home and practice martial arts!"

As we walked, she peered at Zane, who was standing on my right. Curious, she asked, "Daddy, why aren't you walking on my side?"

At her words, Zane moved to her other side. She grabbed his hand with her free one. Swinging their joined hands high, she giggled happily.

It was beautiful. She had both a daddy and a mommy.

...

After walking out of the kindergarten, Zachary stared at Annalise's back as she left with the other two. He could not tear his eyes away until they disappeared from view.

Steven knew he missed her and stood quietly beside him.

"Daddy." Zachary looked up at Steven.

Concerned, Steven lowered his head and gazed at him. "What is it?"

As Zachary spoke, tears started streaming down his face. "Mommy doesn't want me anymore."

He broke down sobbing, as if releasing all the hurt he had been holding in. He could not stop crying for a long time.

Steven crouched down and hugged him. "That's not true."

"It is." Zachary remembered how Annalise had been treating him lately, and his heart ached. "When I called her 'Mommy,' she said I had the wrong person. She said she's not my mommy and that Ms. Jessie is." He hugged Steven tightly. "She doesn't care about me anymore. She looks at me the same way she looks at all the other kids."

His voice choked with tears as he said, "I don't have a mommy anymore."