The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Jessica remained quiet for what felt like an eternity before speaking. "Then go ahead and declare Pelham Group bankrupt."

"If I do that, how am I supposed to support you? And what about when the baby comes?" Steven asked.

"At least you'll still have me," Jessica answered.

Steven fell quiet, his mind in turmoil. After a long moment, he muttered, "I need to think this over."

The thought of relying on someone else—especially a woman-struck against his pride.

"Sure, take your time. I'm not rushing you," Jessica said, giving him the space to think it over.

The weight of it settled on Steven. He replied with a quiet hum.

Gavin had always figured that if he just stayed at home, Yvette would eventually regret what she'd done. Like the many times after their arguments, she'd show up at his door soon enough, ready to make things right and lift his mood.noveldrama

But this time, he realized he'd been mistaken. Yvette wasn't coming for him.

Gavin's phone shattered the silence. The caller was his friend, Jim Dempsey.

"Did you and Yvette have a falling out?" Jim asked.

Gavin's mind was spinning, tangled between thoughts of Sherry and Yvette. He never imagined that the two women who had cared about him would leave him on the same day.

Reluctantly, Gavin replied, "How'd you find out?"

"I saw her on a blind date," Jim replied.

That was when it finally hit Gavin. Yvette hadn't been trying to provoke him. She'd meant everything she'd said.

He played it off like it wasn't a big deal and said flatly, "Maybe she picked a spot near your work on purpose so I'd find out about it."

"But this place is far from anywhere your friends work. Plus, the whole thing was in a private room. I only realized she was on a blind date after I saw her, got curious, and followed her," Jim explained.

Gavin jumped to his feet. "Send me the address."

"Sure, I'll text it to you. Get here fast."

Once he had the address, Gavin drove like a maniac, finally arriving at the location of Yvette's blind date. By the time he pulled up, Yvette was stepping out. She looked completely content with how the date had gone, her usual easygoing demeanor replaced by a quiet elegance and grace.

Gavin stared at her, utterly stunned.

Yvette glanced at him for a moment before quickly looking away. As she was

about to walk past him, he reached out and stopped her.

It was only then that Yvette raised her eyes to meet his. "Is there something you need?"

Gavin's mind went blank. "Who's this guy with you?"

Yvette smiled at him. "My blind date. According to my mom, his family's

background is pretty similar to ours. If things go well, we might even get married this year."

Gavin stared at her. "That fast?"

"I wouldn't call it fast," Yvette replied. "At my age, most people are already settled down. I've been single for so long, and my parents have always been upset with

me.

"Back then, I didn't fully understand

what they'd given up for me. But when visited them the other day, I saw how much older they've gotten.

I can't keep acting the way used

fo." sŵnovel