The Unveiled Rose

"Enough." I cut her off before Jessica could say more.

Jessica pressed on. "From now on, I'm going to pursue Zane. Let's just wipe the slate clean for all the grudges between us."

Her words stunned me. Between us was the shadow of a child's life-something that couldn't simply be forgotten. The naivety of her statement amused me.

With a cold chuckle, I finally spoke. "I saw how you treated Zachary after you got what you wanted back then. If you really ended up with Zane, do you think Willow would have an easy life?"

Of course not. The way Jessica tormented Zachary would undoubtedly be the same way she would treat Willow. Willow had worked so hard to recover and Jessica's targeting her would surely undo all of that progress. I crossed my arms and said coldly, "I will never allow you to be with Zane."

Jessica's expression soured. "You're not his mother. What right do you have to interfere with my business with him?"

Unbothered, I replied casually, "You must've heard how Zane introduced me at the banquet last time. Jessica, I'm his girlfriend."

She froze, clearly stunned. She must've thought I was just his companion for the night.

It took her a moment to recover. "When did you two start dating?"

"Just a few days ago," I replied offhandedly.

She stared at me intensely. "So what?" she said sharply. "Annalise, you're not charming at all. If I could take your husband, what makes you think I can't take a boyfriend?

"With just a little effort on my part," she smirked, "he'll be mine in no time."

I met her gaze, amused. "Then go ahead. Let's see who wins."

It didn't matter to me anyway-Zane wasn't truly my boyfriend. If Jessica somehow managed to seduce him, I wouldn't lose sleep over it.

With that, I turned and walked away.

...

Jessica watched Annalise's retreating figure with a frown. She couldn't understand why Zane would be interested in someone so utterly ordinary.

Feeling fatigued, she rested a hand on a nearby chair for support and slowly sat down, her pregnant belly making every movement cumbersome. Taking out her phone, she dialed Steven's number. Steven was working when his phone rang. Answering calmly, he asked, "What's up?"

Jessica, unfazed by her failure to get Annalise's help to pursue Zane, but she didn't feel discouraged. After all, she had already devised a backup plan.

Putting on her best forlorn expression, she spoke softly to Steven, her voice laced with subtle grievance.

"I ran into Annalise today on purpose. I even tried saying nice things about you to her and told her I'd step aside to make way for the two of you. But she refused."

Sounding pitiful, she added, "Steven, I really tried."

Steven's tone remained steady. "I know. But Jessica, this is something between me and her. I'll handle it."

He didn't want Jessica to get involved or bear the brunt of Annalise's anger, which stemmed from his own failures-six years of neglect and disregard during their marriage. It had nothing to do with Jessica. Jessica, however, was insistent. "But I really want to help you two."

Steven let out a faint chuckle. "The best way you can help me is to rest at home and focus on the baby. Leave the rest to me.novelbin

"Jessica, all of this was my fault from start to finish. It has nothing to do with you"

These were conclusions he had arrived at after much reflection in his office.

Jessica's voice remained low and hesitant. "But I can't help feeling like it's because of me. If there was something I could do to make it better, I would."