The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Steven replied absentmindedly, "Maybe."

Jessica frowned. "What's wrong? You don't sound like yourself. Did something happen?"

Steven said honestly, "Yeah. I've been seeing a therapist recently. And then, it hit me every step I've taken, from being with Annalise until now, has been a mistake."

His voice cracked with pain. "Jessica, why am I so stupid? How could I let it get this far before realizing it?"

Jessica froze, an uneasy feeling creeping over her. His voice carried a raw vulnerability. "Why are you saying this all of a sudden?"

Steven was feeling devastated, but he had no one to confide in. If Jessica hadn't called, he wasn't sure how long he could have kept it together.

Tears streamed down his cheek as he choked, "When someone makes a mistake, they should first fix it, apologize, and make amends.

"But what am I doing? I'm using you to provoke her? All that's going to do is push her even further away." Steven wiped his tears with his hand. Jessica didn't know how to respond at first. After a long pause, she finally asked, "Do you regret it?"

"No. But when I think about everything, I realize just how much I've messed up."

Jessica pressed further. "So, are you planning to make it up to Annalise?"noveldrama

Steven admitted without hesitation. "Yeah. I need to try to be good to her. Don't worry about the money I've already given you.

"I'm not going to take it back. You can spend it however you want. However, I won't give you any more money."

Jessica's heart sank at his words.

Until she could appease Casper or capture Zane's attention, Steven was her only financial lifeline. If he ignored Jessica, her life would take a serious hit. en

She probed cautiously, "And the baby? You're not going to take care of the child, either?"

For a moment, Jessica felt a flicker of relief. At least she'd claimed the baby was Steven's. Without that, she wasn't sure how she'd handle the situation.

"I'll take care of the baby. I'll cover your living expenses and child support," Steven replied without hesitation.

Jessica heaved a sigh of relief, then quickly adopted a pitiful tone. "That's good to hear. Otherwise, I really wouldn't know how the baby and I could survive." "The child is my flesh and blood. I'll make sure he's taken care of and grows up well."

"Thank you."

After ending the call, Jessica leaned back into her chair and glanced down at her stomach. The baby had been her trump card. It had been a clever move to use the child asza means to tether Steven, ensuring he provided her with a life of luxury.

Jessica gazed out of the window, deep in thought. The only regret she harbored was not using the same tactic to tie down Zane.

Her eyes narrowed as she stared at the distant horizon. Things weren't looking great for her right now.

Casper was still furious with her;

there was no progress with Zane And Steven? He wanted to keep his distanee. What if, in the end, she couldn't hold on to any of them?

No, that was unacceptable.

These three men had their roles to play, tasks she had assigned them. They were hers, and she wasn't about to let them go until they fulfilled their purposes.