The Unveiled Rose

How had Annalise endured Steven's and Zachary's mistreatments toward her back then? Had she simply felt that she shouldn't take it to heart as it was a trivial matter?

Had she then proceeded to hide herself away in order to process her negative emotions on her own, all so she could continue to treat them with her usual warmth when they returned home? Steven didn't know.

He looked at Zachary and said calmly, "I know you hate me a lot right now, but know this-no matter what I did, it was all for your sake."

Zachary was already sick and tired of hearing such words.

"But you left me without a mother! How is that 'for my sake'?" he yelled, tears streaming down his face. "I don't want anything but Mommy right now, Daddy!"

Eventually, all the crying tired him out, and he fell into a deep sleep.

Steven then walked forward to embrace him lovingly. He looked silently at Zachary, his expression unreadable.

After Zachary had fallen asleep, Chloe finally had the chance to speak. "Don't you find Zachary's behavior far too out of line, Steven? You work tirelessly day and night, all for his sake, yet he doesn't appreciate you at all!"

She continued, "How about you not break up with Jessica? She's still carrying your child, after all. Assuming Zachary never forgives you, if you choose to raise that unborn child of yours, you'll at least have someone to take care of you in your old age." Steven frowned, replying, "Enough, Mom. I have a plan."

Upon hearing his words, Chloe finally withdrew her gaze reluctantly. "But you must remember what I told you!"

Zachary hadn't actually fallen asleep at all. When he heard everything Chloe said, he suddenly realized that she didn't really love him as much as he'd thought.

In her eyes, he was raised simply for the purpose of taking care of Steven in his old age. However, in the event that he came into conflict with Steven, he was easily disposable.

A single tear slid gently down his face.

...

Although Sasha loved to listen in on gossip during work hours and didn't take it all that seriously, she was definitely the go-to person when it came to entertainment and pleasure. The hotel she'd booked was, among other things, really large. Even its private dining rooms were incredibly spacious.

Once they were all seated, Sasha's father, Douglas Weston, looked at Zane and began, "Our Sasha used to really like you-"

He assumed that Zane was only willing to help him because Sasha had managed to impress him somehow.

Sasha's expression darkened in an instant. She was deathly afraid that Douglas would say something out of line and offend someone he shouldn't.

"Dad!" she admonished hurriedly, gritting her teeth. "Do you know how many people beg for an audience with Mr. Huxham, only to be unceremoniously turned down by him?"

She had conveyed what she wanted to say as vaguely as possible. Hopefully, Douglas would understand what she was getting at-to be more careful with what he said.

"Mr. Huxham has taken some rare time off to have dinner with you today, so you have to treasure this hard-earned opportunity!" she continued. "If there's anything regarding your work that you don't understand, you can seize this chance to ask him all about it." Having noticed Sasha's nervousness, Zane told Douglas calmly, "I forgot to make some introductions."

He pointed at Willow and said, "This is my daughter."

Douglas greeted Willow with a cheery smile, saying, "Hello!"

Willow nodded formally at him, acting just like a small adult. "Hello to you, too!"

Zane then pointed at him and said, "This is Willow's mother."

Douglas looked me up and down.

I simply nodded at him.

Douglas was confused. Back when Sasha had gone on a blind date with Zane, wasn't it said that he didn't have a girlfriend?

So, how did that explain the sudden appearance of a mother figure to Willow?