The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Just as Zane stepped out of the shower, he overheard our conversation and calmly explained, "Annalise is even more impressive than you imagine. She's giving a conservative estimate when she says she's making millions of dollars." "Wow!" Willow's eyes widened in amazement. "She can earn even more?"

Zane nodded confidently. "Indeed. This wave of designer collectibles is selling exceptionally well and boosted sales of related merchandise and some comic books."

Willow looked at me with even more admiration.

I smiled and said, "It's all thanks to your father."

Zane humbly replied, "It's really your hard work."

I didn't deny it.

Zane then asked, "The toys you've been working on are quite profitable too, aren't they?"

I replied, "Eric said their sales are almost catching up to the collectibles. They've also brought in a significant amount of money. When this trend starts to cool down, I'll launch new dolls. I estimate the stock I have on hand will keep the trend going for another year."

Zane was surprised. "You've already planned the follow-up strategy?"

I replied happily, "Of course. As they say, if you're not actively thinking about how to make money, there's something wrong with your thinking."

Zane nodded in agreement.

Willow looked at us and then asked, "If both of you are working so hard, does that mean I can relax in the future?"

After a moment of silence, Zane replied, "That's right. You can play to your heart's content if you would like to. My savings should be enough for you to live worry- free for your entire life."

Willow smiled gleefully.

Zane continued, "However, you also have the option to take over the company. You could become a formidable businesswoman like your mother, dominating the business world."

Willow stared at me for a long time before saying, "Even though playing sounds fun, I feel like earning money through my hard work would probably make me even happier."

Then she turned to Zane. "But, Dad, you work so hard every day. You're so busy that you don't even have time to enjoy spending the money your earn What's the point of making So much money then?"

Zane, of course, couldn't admit that his relentless work ethic back then was just a way to distract himself from the pain of seeing the woman he loved marry someone else. He would never say that aloud as he had an image to maintain

Instead, he answered calmly, "It's so I can take you anywhere fun without hesitation."

Willow blinked her eyes in surprise.

Zane added, "And it's also for your mom. As long as our family is together— whether we're at home or traveling-we'll always have enough money to live comfortably."

"That's true," Willow said, her excitement bubbling over.

...

Meanwhile, after a few days of solitude, Steven had managed to suppress his longing for Annalise. He had even started finding ways to focus on his life without

her.

Although her image still occasionally

appeared in his mind, the hold she had on him was gradually loosening. Steven thought that if this peaceful. routine continued indefinitely maybe one day he'd forget about Annalise entirely.

Yet, Chloe couldn't let the matter slide, and she just had to bring up Annalise again.

Why? To remind him of how amazing Annalise was? To rub in how foolish his decisions had been?

The memories Steven had buried began to flare up like wildfire. Had it really been so long since he had last seen Annalise?

It must have been-Annalise didn't even want to see him anymore.

Tears welled up in Steven's eyes as regret washed over him. When he thought

back to how he had treated Annalise, it was no surprise she despised him now. It was exactly what he deserved.noveldrama