Chapter 159
Steven drove back to the house where he had lived with Annalise for six years. He pushed open the door to the living room. The house was pitch black.
Steven instinctively said, “Honey, I’m home! Why didn’t you come to greet me? Are you not feeling well?”
He took a couple of steps, then suddenly remembered that he and Annalise had already divorced.
Steven was disoriented. He sat down on the couch, looking around the room.
He told himself that he shouldn’t be sad. After all these years, the one he loved was always Jessica. Now that he got what he wanted, he should feel happy. But why couldn’t he feel any joy deep down? Steven’s hand rested over his chest.
He couldn’t figure it out.
Steven’s phone rang. He picked it up absentmindedly.
It was a call from Jessica.
In the past, when he came home late, Annalise would call him. Although he never said much, he always looked forward to what she would say, and he would always unconsciously smile.
But now, he only felt impatient. “Is there something you need?”
“Where have you been?” Jessica asked, sounding concerned.
He replied indifferently, “I’m working overtime.”
He walked into the bedroom and lay down. Even though it had been a long time, it seemed like he could still smell Annalise’s scent.
Steven finally felt at ease and closed his eyes.
His past relationship with Annalise had been good. Every time after putting Zachary to sleep, Annalise would return to the bedroom, affectionately lying in his arms, always taking the initiative to start conversations with him about everything under the sun. Back then, every day had been like that. It was ordinary but happy.
However, he hadn’t cherished it.
Now, all he could do was reminisce.
…
When I went to wake up Willow the following morning, she didn’t respond.
I pushed open the door and saw that she had already woken up. She was looking in the mirror, practicing speaking seriously.
“I really like you.
“Can we be friends?
“Hi! What did you have for breakfast?”
Such simple topics were things that an ordinary person could easily say. But for Willow, they were as difficult as running a marathon. She could not speak at all to anyone other than me and Zane, let alone make a sound. I leaned against the doorframe, watching her.
Willow finished her practice, cleaned up, and turned around to see me. She quickly ran up to me. “Mommy!”
I took her small hand and asked, “No one woke you up this morning? You got up by yourself?”
“Mm!” Willow raised her chin proudly. “Because before I go running, I have other things to do. Then, I guess I’ll have to wake up earlier.”
She said it so naturally.
I felt both heartbroken and comforted. I squatted down and cupped her little face, planting a kiss on it.
Willow’s chubby little hands also cupped my face, and she kissed me back. She then released me and went to wake up Zane.
The three of us went running together. This time, Willow made a lot of progress. She ran more than 320 yards without stopping.
After returning to the bedroom, I gave Willow a bath, just like usual.
Willow said seriously, “Mommy, I’ve set a goal for the month.”
I asked in confusion, “Oh?”
“And when the time is up…” Willow spoke with determination. “I must be able to speak and communicate with people other than you and Daddy.”
I could feel Willow’s determination. I asked softly, “Won’t that put too much pressure on you?”
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