The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Right now, Steven had no other way to ease the turmoil inside him.

He could drink it might numb him for a while and help him forget about Annalise

for a night. However, the next day, the emptiness would hit Steven, causing unbearable pain.

So, he thought about finding Zachary.

Zachary was one of the few people in this world he could still call family.

Once the idea took root, he did not hesitate to grab his keys and drive off to find him.

...

Jessica had never imagined that pregnancy could be this exhausting.

The chaos with the comic project had barely settled, and now she was swamped with designs for the new collectible figures. She was already running on fumes.

And yet, late at night, someone was knocking on her door.

Jessica opened it and saw someone she had seen on TV-it was Yelena.

Jessica had heard about Yelena recently. Despite her brash personality and childish looks, she was around Annalise's age.

Surprised, Jessica asked, "What brings you here?"

"To talk."

Without waiting for an invitation, Yelena stepped inside, made herself comfortable in the living room, and sat on the couch. Only then did she turn to Jessica and say, "You seem to know a lot about Zane. Do you like him?"

Jessica did have her sights set on Zane, but admitting it was out of the question.

If word got out and the situation spiraled out of control, it would be impossible to proclaim her innocence to Steven.

And when she needed money, she wouldn't be able to use the baby she was carrying to squeeze it out of him.

Keeping her composure, Jessica said calmly, "I already have Steven."

Yelena wrinkled her nose in distaste. "You don't actually think Zane is better than Steven, do you?"

Zane wasn't better than Steven. If Jessica dared say otherwise, Yelena might think she had zero taste.noveldrama

"Since I'm with Steven, of course, I think he's the better choice," Jessica replied.

Yelena narrowed her eyes. She hadn't expected this to be a futile visit. "You're sure you don't like Zane?" she pressed.

Jessica nodded. "I'm sure."

"Then where did you get all that information about him?"

Yelena sounded convinced when she asked this.

set

Without missing a beat, Jessica replied, "Simple. Steven's ex-wife is Annalise Naturally, I was curious about the kind of man she ended up marrying, so I paid a little attention."

Yelena finally let her guard down after hearing that. "So you're really helping me?" Jessica nodded. "That's right."

It wasn't like she had to spend any money; all she needed to do was a little sweet talk to keep Yelena

happy.

Besides, she had just finished her latest set of designs and needed a break. She might as well treat this as a way to unwind.

Yelena sighed. "But Zane is so hard to win over! No matter what I do, he never looks at me that way!

Why do you think this is happening?"

Jessica didn't even need to think hard-obviously, it was because Yelena wasn't attractive enough.

But saying that outright would be

too cruel and revealing. If she were

too blunt, Yelena might start to

suspect that she had a hidde

agenda regarding Zane.

Jessica wasn't that foolish. Instead, she said smoothly, "Maybe you just attract a different type of man."

Unlike Yelena, Jessica knew she had plenty of charm. She had Casper, who adored her, and Steven, who could never quite forget her.

And the two of them-if she

wanted

it would take was a simple glance the crook of a finger, and men would come flocking to her.