The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Steven asked carefully, "You won't mind, will you, honey?"

"Oh, so she made me fall down the stairs and have a miscarriage, but you feel sorry that she's getting beaten up by her ex-husband instead." I snickered. "You're such a good samaritan."

"Honey!" Steven rose angrily. "I know you're sad that we lost our baby, but you know damn well that it was Zachary who called you to the stairwell. You slipped and fell-it had nothing to do with her!"

He continued, "I can't believe you don't see how much of a danger she's in now, especially as a woman. If you can't sympathize with her, the least you can do is shut your mouth. Gosh, I'm so disappointed in you! "Anyway, whether you agree or not, Jessica will be moving in with us."

With that, he left exasperatedly.

See? This was Steven-always blaming me, no matter how much I was hurt or bullied. I never retaliated, yet I couldn't vent for more than two sentences without being cast as the bad guy.

I used to love him so much that I willingly accepted this treatment, but not anymore... Not this time.

Retracting my cold gaze, I lay quietly on my hospital bed and stared at the pale ceiling.

I initially chose to stay in the hospital and stray away from returning home because I didn't want to see Steven and Zachary-the revolting father and son-yet the former came every day to see me. How repulsing.

To avoid seeing Steven, I went to Mom's place early the next morning. Ever since I married, I barely had time to return to my old home and visit her. Eventually, she moved to the city because she missed me too much. At the very least, I would feel more at ease with Mom around.

She opened the door, delight spreading across her face as soon as she saw me. "Oh, my! What brings you here?"

I walked up to her and embraced her with open arms, smiling and coquettishly saying, "I missed you."

She reciprocated the hug and patted my back lightly. "You're a mom now. Why are you still so cheesy?"

Her warm and affectionate tone slowly melted the frost that had settled in my heart over the past few days. In this world, Mom was the only one who loved me unconditionally.

After arriving at the living room, I spilled my guts. "Mom, I want to divorce Steven."

My confession made her shut the door instantly, and she rushed over to me. "Why?"

Oh, maybe because I almost died in their hands?

I pondered my response, but before I could speak, she seemed to sense what was going on.

She sighed and asked, "Did he cheat on you?"Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Yes, but there was something else worse than that...

I was afraid to tell her the full story, as I didn't want her to mourn over my míserable marriage. "He said he hasn't physically cheated yet, but I know he's been in close contact with that woman."

Mom gripped my hand. "I understand that he's at fault... But Anna, issues are bound to happen in a marriage. And when we encounter issues in our relationship, we must try everything in our power to resolve them."

She continued, "Like, how a mistress has come into his life... You know? I think you should talk to Steven. Tell him to forget about that woman and be a better man for you."

I knew how Mom viewed divorce. To her, getting a divorce was a serious taboo, something that would have people talking behind one's back.

But I disagreed.

"If you get a divorce with Steven out of impulse, how is that any different than giving them what they want? You can't be that foolish, can you?" Chapter 13

The more she spoke, the more she thought I was being weak and cowardly. She poked at my head, adding, "You know what they say? When there's a stepmother, there's bound to be a stepfather." Special Halloween Treat: More Coins, More Thrills!