The Unveiled Rose
Chapter 62

Chapter

62

ck to put some space between me and Steven. "I don't get what you're saying

Thad to pause and take a few steps back to put

Steven patiently explained, "I thought after 1 called you out yesterday, you'd see your mistake and stop putting on a show with random people just to prove you're doing fine without me."

Tcouldn't help but replace his sell-righteousness ridiculous. It was like he saw me not as an individual but as an extension of himself. Everything I did seemed to revolve around him, and even my feelings were under his control. Icurled my lips in disbelief, "Let's say you're right."

Steven nodded, looking like he thought I'd finally realized how wrong I was

Then, I continued casually, "Willow's been in the same class as Zachary at this kindergarten for over two years now, Her dad picks her up and drops her off every day, so you must have seen him when you drop all Zachary. "Even if you haven't spoken to him, you've probably seen the car he drives and the way he dresses-you can tell with a glance that only the rich can afford them

"So tell me, Mr. Pelham. Do you really think my broke ass would be able to convince someone as wealthy as him to lend me a hand just to annoy you?" Steven frowned and didn't say a word.

I scotted. "You need to wake up to the truth, Mr. Pelham. There isn't any form of pretense here. The moment I gave up on you and Zachary, I started fresh."

Steven stared at me in disbelief. "How can that be? Annalise, don't you remember why you came to this city? It was for me!"

I didn't deny it. "I used to love you, but that doesn't mean I'll love you forever, does it?"

Steven was stunned into silence.

Just as I was about to walk past him, he suddenly grabbed my arm. "Still, you shouldn't be disregarding me so quickly."

I then turned to face him.

He looked serious. "Don't forget about our child. You might be able to move on from me, but you can't just forget about Zachary! You carried him for nine months and gave him so much love and care, after all." Steven still seemed to doubt my commitment in moving on and living for myself.

I gave him a dry smile. "You were the reason I gave up on him, Steven. It was you who took both him and Jessica out for fun all the time.

"It was also you who built his resentment for me bit by bit, and in the end, all of these piled up on me so heavily that I finally chose to let go. It was all your fault, Steven!

"What makes you think I could just forgive you after everything you have both done to me?"

Lately, I have been wrapped up in love and happiness, and I also realized that it was up to me to create the life I wanted.

If I continued to put up with both Steven and Zachary and allowed them to disrespect me, I'd only end up suffering even more and get pushed around by them.

After distancing myself from toxic family members, I chose to surround myself with people who truly cared for me, like Willow, others who showed me respect. I appreciated the life I had now.

and

"As a wife and a mother, you should be more forgiving toward your husband and child, no matter what they've done," Steven couldn't understand why I stopped tolerating them all of a sudden when I had been willing to put up with their attitudes in the past. "But you're not my husband," I replied bluntly. "Besides, isn't Zachary's mom Jessica? Both of you have nothing to do with me."

Trying to get him to back off, I said flatly, "Steven, since you were able to so easily let

just forget about our past and leave me alone"

Then, I yanked my hand out of his grip and headed to the car

me and move on with Jessica, you should