The Unveiled Rose
Chapter 331

Steven got up, got dressed, and skipped breakfast before driving straight to Zane's office garage, blocking the entrance with his car.

Zane's car was promptly stuck, which forced him to step out and knock on Steven's window.

Steven rolled it down. "I need to talk to Annalise."

Zane smirked faintly. "Haven't you two already said everything that needed to be said?"

"This is between me and her." Steven's voice grew firm. "Bring her here."

But Zane didn't move, standing there with an impassive gaze.

I noticed Zane had been gone for a while and walked over to see what was happening. "What's going on?"

Steven's face lit up with exaggerated indignation. "I just wanted to talk to you, but he wouldn't let me."

I sighed, already feeling a headache coming on. "Steven, what's the point of this?"

"Please, for the sake of what we once had." Steven's tone turned pleading. "For the sake of the love you used to have for me, give me one last chance. Let's just talk for a moment, alone. Please." I hesitated.

"Ten minutes. That's all I'm asking for," Steven pleaded desperately.

I crossed my arm. "Can you guarantee this will be the last time you bother me?"

Steven fell silent.

With that, I turned to leave.

"Wait," Steven's voice grew louder. "I just need to ask you something."

I stopped in my tracks.

Zane had a packed schedule, with several meetings lined up just for the morning. Not wanting to take up his time, I decided to quickly brush Steven off. "Find somewhere else to go." Zane held my hand tightly. "Anna..."

"It's okay, "I said softly, patting the back of his hand. "I can handle this. Don't worry about me and go back to work. I'll be back soon."

Having heard my assurance, Zane finally let go and said, "Call me if anything comes up."

"I will."

...

The meeting place was a nearby bubble tea bar.

Steven placed a cup of boba tea in front of me, his tone almost eager. "I remember you used to like this."

I didn't touch it. Instead, I glanced at the drink and chuckled to myself.

Back when we were married, all I wanted was a little thoughtfulness-not flowers, not extravagant gifts, just something as simple as this. But he couldn't even do that.

Now that we were divorced and I no longer cared for his gestures, he suddenly offered it unprompted.

I looked away from the drink and spoke calmly. "There's no need for all this. Just say whatever you came here to say. No need for pretense."

Steven stared at me. "I don't understand why you chose Zane.

"Locally, being with him isn't much different from being with me, isn't it? You still have to take care of the house and look after the child. So why go through all the trouble of replaceing someone else?"

I had expected him to get hung up on this, and I couldn't help but laugh. "Actually, the difference between you two is significant."

Steven was confused. "What do you mean?"

"For one, the Huxhams have a nanny, a chef, and a chauffeur," I said, deliberately slowing my speech. "All I have to do is spend time with Willow, and I earn 80,000 dollars a month.

"On top of that, Zane even got me a side job to earn extra income. Now, that side job alone pays me more than taking care of Willow does."

It wasn't until I started creating comics that I realized how much more I was capable of.

I continued after a pause, "Whereas with you, I had to do all the housework, raise the child, and take care of you. But what did I get in the end? Walked away with nothing."