The Unveiled Rose

Whether from the run or something else, Zane would always find something wrong with my form somehow. I followed his corrections obediently. He continued adjusting my other positions, and I made each change he suggested. Finally satisfied, he pulled back, unable to hide his smile. Maintaining perfect form made the workout even more exhausting. Seeing how much I was sweating, Zane handed me a towel and asked, "Am I being too hard on you?" I turned to him. "Not at all."

"Good." He finally relaxed.

I watched his retreating figure curiously.

Willow tugged at my hand. "Mommy, let's pick my clothes!"

She and Penelope had agreed to wear purple today. However, since they would be playing games and doing activities at kindergarten, a dress would not work. After some thought, I picked out a light purple tracksuit. Willow tried it on excitedly before twirling in front of the mirror. "Mommy, you have amazing taste!"

"Of course!" I chuckled and said, "Now, breakfast time!"

Willow responded enthusiastically, "Okay!"

When she first started talking to Milton, Dorothy, and Penelope, she had been so excited that she would chatter endlessly. After running out of things to say later, their relationship normalized, and she grew even closer to me. At breakfast, she kept putting food on my plate. "Here, Mommy. Eat this!"

"Thank you." I would move my plate over and let her place some food there before eating slowly.

In the car afterward, I caught her stealing glances at me. Seeing her hesitation, I stroked her cheek. "What's on your mind?"

"Mommy." Willow hugged my arm tight. "I heard others say lots of people read your comics."

I sensed her worry. "Yeah?"

She continued carefully, "So, you'll make more and more money till you won't need the salary for taking care of me anymore."

I could guess where this was going, but I let her continue.

"Will you still stay home and be my mom then?" she asked pitifully. She had already lost one mother, so she wanted this one to stay by her side forever.

"Do you know why I chose to work for your family?" Instead of answering her, I asked gently. Willow shook her head.

I squeezed her cheeks softly. "Because I love you."

Her eyes widened in surprise.

"I meant it every time I said it," I said seriously. "So whether it's past, present, or future, I'll always stay with you as long as you don't hate me or send me away." Willow's eyes crinkled as she hugged me. "You're the best mom ever!"

After comforting her, I ruffled her head and asked, "But what made you worry about this?"

She said shyly, "My classmates were talking about you. Some even bought your merchandise. They said you must make lots of money, so I just started thinking about it after that." She pressed her face against my tummy. "But now that I know how you feel, I'm not worried anymore!"

Seeing her energy return, I relaxed. At the kindergarten gates, she insisted on going in alone before running to meet Penelope.

Penelope had arrived early and rushed to meet her. The two girls hugged excitedly.

I watched them enter before turning to Zane. "Let's go."

...

Zachary was sitting in another car.

Harry passed him his phone. "Your mom has new merchandise for her comic. Do you want to buy some?"