The Unveiled Rose
Chapter 223

"She's truly extraordinary!" Willow exclaimed. "I can't speak in front of her, but she just keeps chatting away like it's nothing. I really admire her." She then said wistfully, "I hope I can talk to people like that one day." "You will," Milton assured her gently.

Tired of sitting, Willow flopped onto her stomach on the bed. Propping her face up with her hands, she looked at the two dolls and asked, "How have you two been lately? I heard Grandma wasn't feeling well before. I was really worried about you both." Dorothy's voice was filled with warmth. "Before you came to visit me, I was constantly in and out of hospitals and never truly recovered. But when I heard you had come to see me, I started to feel better.

"When I went to Zane's house and saw how much he loves you, treating you like his own daughter, that's when I felt I'd finally healed."

"Really?" Willow asked in amazement.

"I wouldn't lie to you," Dorothy replied patiently. "Willow, do you like your current mom? How are you getting along with her?"

Dorothy was eager to hear Willow's honest thoughts about Annalise.

Willow carefully chose her words. "If I say this, you and Grandpa might get upset."

"Oh?" Dorothy's curiosity piqued.

"Mommy is really good to me, and I love her a lot," Willow said shyly. "Sometimes, I feel like I was her real daughter."

She tentatively added, "You wouldn't be mad, would you?"

Milton chuckled. "Why would we be? We're just happy she's good to you. Willow, all we ever want is for you to be happy."

"Really?" Willow's energy returned.

"Of course," Milton reassured her.

Willow said in her innocent voice, "I've always wanted to share what's been happening in my life with you, but I couldn't replace a way to say it. It made me feel stuck, like there was something heavy in my heart. "When you couldn't talk back, speaking to you helped a little, but not enough. But now that you can reply, even if it's not real, it makes me feel much better."

Milton quickly interjected, "You can think of us as real."

Willow giggled. "Then, I wouldn't be able to talk to you like this. You're so silly, Grandpa."

Milton chuckled indulgently. "Yes. I'm not as smart as you."

Willow beamed at the praise. "Of course! I've been studying really hard lately."

...

I glanced at the tightly shut door upstairs and stood up. "Didn't the chef take the day off? How about I make dinner tonight?"

Zane replied calmly, "Don't tire yourself. We can eat out later."

"I know you don't like me doing housework." After spending some time with Zane, I had come to understand the kind of person he was. I explained, "But honestly, I actually enjoy doing housework." Cooking gave me a sense of accomplishment. Cleaning the house brought me peace of mind.

Zane looked a bit surprised.

I clarified further. "I'm always busy and don't have time for these things every day. So when I do have some downtime, I'd love to cook a meal or two. Is that okay?" After understanding how I truly felt, Zane walked over to the fridge and asked, "What are you planning to make? Want me to prepare the ingredients for you?" "Roast beef, mashed potato, and garden salad." I added, "Oh, and a soup."

"Got it." Zane took out some beef, greens, and a few potatoes. For the soup, he retrieved a chicken from the morning's groceries and headed to the kitchen. I followed him, intending to help, but Zane stopped me at the entrance.