The Unveiled Rose

Sasha wilted at Zane's words.

"Alright, then," she said.

Zane passed the phone back to me, saying offhandedly as he did so, "I know you like her, but don't spoil her too much."

He had put the phone on speaker just now, so I had also heard their entire conversation.

I couldn't help but laugh, replying, "Alright."

Sitting in the same office every day, I would see many people coming and going, whether it was to report to Zane on work issues or ask him to make certain decisions. Sometimes, when people came to visit him, he would have to leave to discuss work matters with them. It was true that he could rarely spare any time outside of work, and I didn't want to increase his workload, either.

Zane's eyes were filled with complex emotions, but he held back in the end.

...

At the entrance of the kindergarten, I had just gotten out of the car when a familiar teacher approached me.

Holly stepped in my way and said right off the bat, "I have something I'd like to discuss with you regarding your child. Would it be convenient for you?"

Holly wanted to talk to me about Willow? Of course I had the time if it was for her, so I replied, "Yes."

She led me over to a secluded corner.

Once she saw that nobody was around, she whispered, "Zachary was feeling unwell and was sent to the hospital. You're his guardian, so I think you should be more attentive to him!"

Her tone was full of criticism, as if I were some irresponsible parent.

"Ms. Dawson," I said, taking the initiative to correct her. "You seem to have misunderstood something. I'm Willow's guardian, not Zachary's."

Holly hurriedly interjected, "But..."

I didn't want to hear what she had to say, so I simply continued coldly, "Don't forget. When I came to pick Zachary up back then, you were watching as they called the police on me. You were also watching as I was arrested and taken to the police station. "Also, he acknowledged Jessica as his mother, so you've got yourself the wrong person. I suggest you contact Jessica for any matters related to Zachary."

Lastly, I added, "But you can certainly come to me about any matters related to Willow."

Holly watched my retreating back, still dazedly rooted to her spot.

...

By the time Willow was done playing with Penelope, the sky was already turning dark.

Once we were in the car, Willow hugged me as she said, "Mommy, Zachary cried really badly in school today. He kept saying things like, 'Mommy, I know I'm wrong' and 'Mommy, please forgive me'. All our classmates felt really sorry for him." Willow pursed her lips, continuing with some distress, "I think he deserved it, though. He hurt you so much back then, but now he regrets it and wants you back. But how can such good things exist in the world?"

She then finished, emphasizing each and every word, "Mommy is mine now, and I'll definitely treasure you well! I'm absolutely not giving her up to anyone, or I won't have a mommy anymore!"

I gently ruffled her soft hair, saying, "Don't worry, Willow. You're different from him, so we won't end up the same way."

Willow pouted, answering, "Yup!"

Zane waited for me to finish speaking before informing us calmly, "I have something to do later, so the three of us will be having dinner at the cafeteria. I even asked your mommy to order your favorite dishes, Willow." Willow's eyes lit up in an instant. "Daddy's the best! I love Daddy!"

Zane chuckled. "I love you, too."

...

Meanwhile, in a hospital ward, Zachary was currently feeling very unwell.

He sat on a hospital bed with a needle stuck in the back of his hand, watching the liquid from the IV drip down steadily. He couldn't stop the tears flowing from his eyes.

Chloe was distressed to see him crying.

"It's all your mother's fault!" she declared vehemently.