The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Jessica considered her options and decided her best bet was to provoke Steven. After all, she couldn't win over Zane, and patching things up with Casper would take time. Neither of them could bankroll her lifestyle. Unfortunately, her dependable cash source-Steven-was slipping out of her grasp. But she could still manipulate him into willingly spending on her with a few calculated moves.

Her eyes glinted with an idea as she picked up her phone and typed a message to Steven. "If you're planning to reconcile with Annalise, does that mean I'm free to find a new boyfriend?"

Jessica knew men well. She understood that even when they were done with a woman, they still held a fierce sense of ownership over her.

Steven wouldn't feel threatened if Jessica acted like she was still devoted to him. However, the moment she hinted at moving on, Steven would undoubtedly panic.

"You know my expenses are high. If I don't find someone to support me, the allowance you're giving me might not cover it," she added.

Steven read her message carefully, mulling over her words. He couldn't deny Jessica had expensive tastes-always buying jewelry and luxury goods. The idea of giving her a fixed allowance seemed impractical to sustain her lifestyle.

Yet, the thought of Jessica being with another man? Of his child calling someone else "Daddy"?

That was a situation Steven wasn't sure he could accept.

"Let me think about it."

Jessica's lips curled into a sly smile. It seemed Steven had taken the bait. Chuckling softly, she typed back a quick reply. "All right."

She hadn't anticipated such a quick response from Steven. In her mind, he would need time to mull things over, perhaps letting her words simmer before reacting. She had even planned to relax, take her time with her nightly routine, and drift off to sleep. But her phone buzzed almost immediately, the screen lighting up with his name.

Startled but pleased, Jessica glanced at the caller ID. She answered and said in feigned surprise, "What's up? Why're you calling me at this hour?"

Steven said with uncertainty and a touch of desperation. "I've been thinking seriously about what you said."

Jessica stood up and walked into her bedroom, flipping on the lights. "Oh?"

Steven said with a strained voice, "There's no way I can allow my child to call another man 'Dad."noveldrama

"Oh?" she responded again.

Steven felt he was becoming possessive of Jessica. "I don't want you with anyone else, either."

Her earlier flirtations with Zane had seemed like a joke. After all, Zane was the kind of man Jessica couldn't possibly win over. Hence, he hadn't taken her seriously. When he heard Jessica saying that she wanted to find a new boyfriend, an inexplicable unease stirred deep within him.

Jessica didn't push the issue directly. Instead, she said casually, "If I stay single, as you want, how am I supposed to make ends meet?"

"I'll give you money," he promised.

But her next question threw him off balance. "Aren't you worried Annalise might mind?"

After a long pause, he finally said, "We'll figure it out after she and I reconcile."

Venet

Yet deep down, Steven doubted Annalise would ever forgive him. That bitter truth weighed on him, his head bowed, and his expression was filled with regret.

"Sure, no problem," Jessica said with a sweet tone. But as soon as she hung up, her face twisted with disdain.

Steven had always treated Annalise

with cold indifference, while Zane seemed eager to cherish her like she was his world. The difference between the two men was glaring. If Annalise ever chose to reconcile with Steven, she'd have to be completely out of her mind.