The Unveiled Rose

No one responded to him.

Jessica sniffled, "Are you still mad at me?"

Steven shook his head. "No."

Tears hung from Jessica's long lashes. "But you keep your guard up around me."

"I don't even know why, Jessica," Steven admitted honestly.

"Whenever I get close to you, there's this uncomfortable feeling in my heart."

It felt as if he was betraying someone.

Jessica blinked, a tear tracing down her cheek. She wiped it away and stayed silent.

She knew that if she allowed Steven to dig deeper, he would eventually realize that he genuinely loved Annalise, not her. That would make it harder for her to get what she wanted. So, she stayed quiet.

Today, Willow was up even earlier than yesterday.

When I went to her room, she had already finished practicing talking to herself in the mirror and was now holding a book, reading with determination.

Her voice was bright and cheerful, full of that youthful energy only kids had.

I stood by the door, watching her.

After a while, Willow's face started to pout.

I walked over, sitting beside her. "What's wrong?"

Willow set the book down and hugged my waist. "When I was talking to myself in the mirror this morning, I didn't know what to say. So, I thought maybe I could read a book and find something to talk about.

"But then, as soon as I opened the book, I realized I couldn't read. I don't know any of the words." She started to cry, genuinely upset.

I gently soothed her, "That's because you haven't started learning yet."

With teary eyes, Willow looked up at me. "Then, what should I do?"

"If you want to learn, I can teach you." I found a phonics book from the bookshelf and placed it in front of her. "Before we start with words, we have to start with phonics."

Willow immediately wiped away her tears. "Mommy, I want to learn!" She looked so serious.

Seeing her enthusiasm for learning, I couldn't help but support her, so I began teaching her phonics, one sound at a time. When it was time for her exercise session, she looked back reluctantly, saying, "Mommy, when I come back after my training tonight, can you skip the bedtime story?

"Teach me more phonics, okay?"

I agreed, "Of course."

Zane, who hadn't seen the whole scene, looked puzzled.

"Willow wants to learn to read," I explained.

He seemed concerned about adding more work for me. "Maybe we could hire a teacher for her?"

"No way!" Willow jumped in before I could respond.

"If I have a teacher, I can't practice speaking freely. That wouldn't work, Daddy."

Zane turned to me. "What do you think?"

Willow looked at me with hopeful eyes. "Mommy..."

I ruffled her hair and said with a smile, "Willow is so eager to learn and listens so well. As long as you don't mind that I'm not a professional, I'd be happy to teach her."

Zane quickly clarified as he worried I'd misunderstood, "I just don't want you to overwork yourself."

This felt new to me. Back when I was married to Steven, I did all the housework-mopping, laundry, cooking, and everything. Yet, Steven never thought I was overworked.

But here, in the Huxham residence, all I had to do was spend time with Willow, yet Zane still worried it might be too much for me. I had to admit that Zane was a truly considerate person.

I was about to respond when Willow suddenly squeezed my hand tightly and spoke in a rush, "I'm sorry, Mommy. I was being selfish.

"I only thought about learning to read quickly and forgot that you need rest after a long day, too."

I gave Zane a playful glare. "Look at what you did! You scared Willow."

Then, I crouched down to Willow's eye level. "Willow, I know you love me and care about my well-being."