The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter

15

It was then I finally got a clear look at the man's face. His striking features were reminiscent of a celebrity, but he had a cold demeanor. Standing there, he radiated an untouchable and unapproachable air.

I would've remembered this man if I knew him, but I couldn't. No matter how much I tried to recall, it was futile. "Do I know you?"

The man was afraid to cause a misunderstanding and quickly explained, "Two days ago, we sent you to the ER after you fell down the stairs."

Oh.

Before this, I wholeheartedly believed Steven was the one who sent me to the emergency room after following me and hearing the loud thud. I guess I was wrong.

I looked at the man before me. "Thank you. You saved my life." He was quite literally my life savior, and I couldn't have just repaid him with verbal thanks. "I don't know how else to thank you." He smiled faintly. "Well, I happen to need your help."

Since becoming a mother, I had been a stay-at-home wife, focusing on taking care of my husband and son.

Of course, I couldn't have foreseen the future-that was now-at that time. However, in many people's eyes, I had long been isolated from society, let alone having the ability to help others. I was perplexed. "My help?"

"Yes." He nodded and then said, "Let me introduce myself. My name is Zane Huxham."

Then, he bent down to introduce the quiet little girl beside him, who had a doll-like face. "And this is Willow Huxham."

I crouched and gazed at the girl, extending my hand at her. "Hello, I'm Annalise Jamison."

Willow turned to Zane, her expression one of helplessness, but he encouraged her silently with a supportive look.

Finally, she shook hands with me and took her time to say, "Nice to meet you."

Her hand was as soft as a marshmallow. I smiled, replying, "Nice to meet you, too."

Immediately, Willow hid behind Zane and poked her head out to stare at me.

"Richard." Zane seemed not to want Willow to hear our upcoming conversation. "Take Willow out for a walk."

"Yes." The middle-aged man, Richard Cruze, originally guarding the door, entered the ward and picked up Willow. She wrapped her hands around Zane's arm, looking reluctant to leave the room with Richard.

Zane gently coaxed, "Willow, you know why we're here to see Ms. Jamison, right?"

Willow nodded with hesitation.

Then, he continued, "What I'm about to say later isn't suitable for a child to hear, so I need you to take a walk with Richard for a bit. Just give me five minutes, and I'll come back for you. Is that alright?" After receiving Zane's promise, Willow slowly released her grip and obediently followed Richard,

Once the door shut, he explained, "I'm Willow's uncle. Her parents died in a car crash last year. She was at the scene at that time and witnessed the tragedy of their deaths. Since then, she has refused to communicate with anyone." He continued, "As of now, she hasn't spoken for two years. The doctor diagnosed her with severe autism. He advised us to encourage her to engage with others."

I patiently listened to his story.

Zane seemingly thought his direct approach would come off as too intrusive for me. "But we've tried plenty of ways, and none of them worked. Until... the day you picked up your kid at the kindergarten.

"Your kid, for some reason, called another woman his mother and left with her. Once Willow and I got home, she suddenly spoke up, expressing her desire for the mother whom Zachary had rejected to be hers. "She even said you were very gentle and felt like a mother. She genuinely wants you to become her mommy."

Zane said everything at once, then looked seriously at me. "She actually started talking to me because of you. I was delighted and even thought that maybe if you spent time with Willow, she'd finally get better." Chapter 15

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He threaded his words lightly. "So, excuse me if I'm crossing the line here, Ms. Jamison, but would you be so kind as to take on the role of Willow's nanny and mother?"