The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Steven replied without hesitation, "Does her name even matter?"

Zane replied with an unmistakable hint of amusement, "Consider this my way of repaying you for the tip-off. Her current name is Annalise."

Steven refused to believe it. "Impossible! Annalise is so gentle and honest. She could never have done those things."

Zane said calmly, "The fact that you'd say that just proves you never truly understood her. If you had spent even a little more time with her back when you were together, you would have realized her gentleness depends on whether she could protect herself."

Steven's mind went blank.

Zane continued, "As long as she isn't harmed, Annalise is kind, patient, and always speaks to others warmly. However, the moment someone tries to use her or threatens what truly matters to her, she will find a way to end it."

There was a hint of satisfaction in Zane's voice. "Doesn't all of this sound familiar to you? It sounds like your personal experience."

Steven didn't know how to respond.

Zane didn't seem to care. He simply went on, "Even after marrying you, she kept making excuses for your coldness and how you treated her. In the end, you cheated on her, and worse, you and your child hurt her."

For the first time, a trace of genuine emotion flickered in Zane's usually indifferent gaze.

"The moment Annalise lost faith in you, she walked away without a second thought. There was no pity and no regrets, just like when she was in school.

"She has never changed. If you had ever truly loved Annalise, then you should have realized the person being described was her." Zane continued calmly, "That's because you never loved her."

Steven immediately cut him off. "Impossible!"

Zane continued, "Just think about it: If Annalise isn't my first love, how could I have predicted that the moment she lost her child, she would divorce you?noveldrama

"How else would I have known the perfect time to offer her a job? You're obsessed with my first love, but you never considered everything that happened between Annalise and me."

Moreover, shortly after Annalise

stayed with Zane, it didn't take long before he found himself proposing to her. It was not because of Willow or anyone else. It was because he loved Annalise. en

Zane knew if he let that moment slip away, he might never get another chance to have her in his life. He continued, "You'd notice that I've always been determined to be with Annalise, but you refuse to face the truth."

Steven could barely stand to listen any longer. "Shut up!"

Zane chuckled softly. "Let me guess why you don't want to think about it. Is it because you're afraid that if the woman I love is Annalise, then you'll never have a chance with her again?

"Well, you really don't need to worry about that because even if I weren't in the picture, you still wouldn't have a chance. She's never been the type to look back."