The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Steven said with a smile, "All right. I'll call you when the food's ready."

"Thanks," Jessica replied as she entered the bedroom and closed the door behind her.

The bedroom walls were soundproofed, and she was certain Steven wouldn't hear anything she said. As such, she took out her phone. After some hesitation, she finally called Casper.

Casper was in the middle of sorting out his work when he received Jessica's call. Surprised, he picked up and asked, "Why the sudden call?"

"I just wanted to remind you..." Things had been too idyllic and quiet for comfort lately. Jessica was worried that the peace wouldn't last, that something might come along and take it away from her.

She continued, "I wanted to remind you to keep the baby's identity a secret. Do you understand?"

Casper reassured her, "I won't; don't worry."

It was only then that she let out a breath of relief. Casper knew why she was so intent on keeping the baby's lineage a secret. "So, you've decided to settle down with Steven for good, huh?"noveldrama

"If things continue as they are, yes," Jessica answered calmly. "I used to want to date men far out of my league in hopes of finding the best person to settle down with.

"I wanted to prove your mom wrong and show her that I could find someone better after our divorce. I wanted your family to see that I was still desirable to other

men.

"But after all I've been through, I've come to realize something important: I shouldn't have to live my life constantly seeking ways to prove myself to others; I should be living my best life and seizing the little moments."

She had never felt so at ease. "Now that I've found someone kind to me, I ought to cherish him. If there ever comes a day where he's grown tired of me and wants to leave, I'll figure something out."

Casper was still hopeful. "And if the day comes, will you consider being with me?"

She knew he still loved her, but deep down, they were not meant for each other. She replied coolly, "No, I won't. You know as well as I do why I left you in the first place."

When he did not respond, she added emphatically, "Remember to keep our secret and take it to your grave, Casper. I'll hunt you down and kill you if you don't."

She hung up after spitting out the threat and eased herself onto the edge of the bed to get some rest.

Chloe glanced in the direction of the bedroom, then at Steven. He sensed she had something to say, so he met her gaze and broke the silence between them. "Out with it, Mom."

She grinned and asked, "Why did you suddenly decide to patch things up with Jessica?"

Steven's reconciliation with Jessica could only mean one thing he had moved past the incident where Chloe and Jessica worked together to manipulate him into getting a vasectomy.

"Annalise told me to," Steven explained solemnly. "She told me that if I did not cherish Jessica, I'd end up losing everything. I thought about what she said and realized she made a lot of sense.

"I'd already lost so much, and if I don't appreciate what I have now, I'd lose my wife and child, too. I don't want to end up alone in my old age."

Chloe was pleased to hear this. "I'm glad you've thought things through. I'd been worried that you were too hung up on Annalise to focus on what truly matters."

Even though Chloe should be

grateful to Annalise for talking sense

into Steven, she couldn't bring

herself to feel that way. As far anet'

she was concerned, a woman like Annalise did not deserve Steven. Now that Steven and Jessica had made amends, Chloe felt as if she had made all the right decisions over the years.