The Unveiled Rose

Willow looked serious, almost like an adult.

Zane pinched her cheek, trying not to laugh. "But you're not a toddler anymore."

Willow was still quite young. She tilted her head thoughtfully, struggling to find a way to argue her point. Thus, she turned to me for assistance.

I gently lifted her onto my lap and said, "But sweetheart, you're still in kindergarten."

Willow nodded in agreement, saying, "Mommy, you're right."

...

When Steven arrived to pick up Zachary, he noticed Jessica standing quietly nearby with her hair half tied up. For a moment, he felt transported back to the time before he divorced Annalise. During that period, he would take Zachary to school before work. He would also pick him up after his shift, while Jessica managed her responsibilities in much the same way.

Naturally, this routine brought them into contact. As time passed, they gradually set aside their past animosity and began to reconnect.

Steven approached Jessica and asked, "Didn't Cody skip school today?"

"I worry that you're preoccupied with work." Jessica smiled.

Jessica had considered her approach carefully. She realized that since Steven wasn't comfortable with close interactions just yet, she decided to start by connecting with Zachary to help him develop a better impression of her.

Despite having treated Zachary poorly in the past, which made him fearful and resistant, he was still a naive child. She believed that if she softened her attitude and was kind to him, he would eventually come to love her again and help her get closer to Steven. Jessica lovingly caressed her belly and remarked, "I know you're busy and might not be able to get Zachary, so I took the initiative to pick him up."

With a look of vulnerability, she asked, "You don't mind, do you?"

Steven briefly met her gaze before diverting his eyes. "I understand, but your priority right now is your pregnancy and the baby. You shouldn't stress about picking up Zachary. The driver can handle it."

As Zachary left kindergarten, he saw Steven and Jessica talking but showed little excitement. He approached Steven and said calmly, "Daddy, I'll ask Mr. Thompson to take me out."

Jessica inquired tentatively, "We're both coming to pick you up today. Don't you want to join us for some fun?"

Zachary cast a puzzled look at Jessica, questioning what had caused her change in behavior. Just a few days prior, she had bullied him and vented her frustrations on him. Now, he couldn't help but wonder why she was being so kind today. Zachary resolutely responded, "You and Daddy should enjoy your date. I have my own plans to tend to."

Immediately afterward, he climbed into the car. Before Jessica could even utter a word urging him to stay, Zachary had already instructed Harry to hit the road.

Jessica bit her lip and asked, "Steven, does he not like me?"

Steven watched Zachary leave. For once, he didn't dismiss Jessica's coquetry. "Forget about him. Let's go wherever you want since I have time today."

Jessica pondered for a moment, lightly tapping her lips with her index finger. "Hmm. I'm not sure, either. If that's the case, I'll follow your lead. Just take me wherever you want to drive."

Steven nodded in agreement, gripping the steering wheel with both hands as he focused intently on the road ahead.

In the backseat, Jessica gazed at Steven's reflection in the rearview mirror, her mind flooded with memories of their shared past.

It felt odd that they had been close even before Steven divorced Annalise. They often took the kids out to play after school and on weekends.