The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

"But you are different. You're my sister. So, I'll be stricter with you," Zane said.

Tinsley knew Zane simply wanted her to approach the projects with a serious attitude. Ideally, he hoped she could learn as much as possible through these projects. That way, even if they stopped collaborating in the future, she would have the skills to pave her path. "No problem," Tinsley replied without hesitation.noveldrama

Zane handed Tinsley a stack of documents and said, "Take these back and draft the proposals for these projects. Submit them to me, and I'll review them for you." Tinsley eagerly accepted the materials. "Got it."

With Zane's help, she felt it wouldn't be long before she became one of the top professionals in the industry.

Tinsley said with excitement, "Don't worry. I'll do these projects with 200% effort! It's late now. I shall take my leave."

"All right."

Zane watched her leave, then glanced at the time it was already 9.30 pm.

...

After gently coaxing Willow to sleep and carefully stepping out of the bedroom, I saw Zane standing by the study.

I stood still, watching him.

Zane glanced toward the balcony. "Shall we talk?"

"Sure."

...

The balcony was spacious, with a table and two chairs that still left it feeling open.

The bright lights cast a glow over Zane and me while the distance remained cloaked in darkness. The only visible illumination came from the streetlights lining the road, stretching endlessly into the horizon.

sw now

After leaning back comfortably in the chair, I closed my eyes and listened to the birds chirping. For a moment, the tranquility of this life felt fulfilling.

Upon seeing that I wasn't speaking, Zane took the lead. "You probably haven't met the girl that came to look for me earlier."

I didn't deny it. "You're right. It's my first time seeing her."

Zane stood up and walked over to me. "Don't you think I should explain myself?"

"Not really," I said while opening my eyes. "Your interaction seemed perfectly normal. You didn't do anything inappropriate. Is she your relative? Am I right?"

Zane stayed silent for a long while before taking my hand. His tone was calm as he said, "But if a couple lacks communication and relies only on guesses, they can't be together for long."

I froze. I suddenly realized how much those six years with Steven had impacted me. For instance, I had become accustomed to guessing relationships.

Before Steven and I got divorced, it was always like this. When I asked about the identity of a man or a woman who appeared around him, he would always scold me.

"No matter who I talk to, you always

have to figure out who they are! Do you know how suffocating this is for me? I feel like I don't have any privacy I feel like you're constantly monitoring me," Steven would say.

Towards the end, Steven even threatened me. "If you don't change your habit, we'll get a divorce."

After that, I learned to be quiet and avoid asking anything. I even thought that this was the right way.

I lowered my gaze. Today, when I

saw Zane interacting with someone I didn't know, I thought he would have the same attitude as Steven-he wouldn't like others interfering with his matters.

Hence, Zane's question completely caught me off guard.

It seemed that I had been trapped in an unhealthy relationship for far too long.