The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

However, Zane didn't show up at all. Yelena just couldn't understand why.

...

After dinner, I took Willow with me to pick up Zane. We had barely reached the hotel entrance when he walked out. His usual gentle gaze landed on Willow and me as he asked, "Wasn't it a hassle to come all this way just for me?"

Willow instantly dove into his arms. "Not at all, Daddy! I'm happy as long as I get to see you."

Zane held her close with a fond smile. "Is that so?"

Willow nodded eagerly. After I got into the car, Zane handed Willow over to me. We had barely settled in when Yelena caught up, her eyes red from crying.

"Zane, do you have any idea what just happened to me?" she demanded.

Zane's gaze rested on her. "What?"

Clutching the hem of her clothes, Yelena said, "I was nearly taken advantage of at the party, and you just stood there and did nothing?"

Zane was puzzled, unsure of what she expected him to do.

"It's already being handled," he said. "They'll make sure justice is done if your claims are true. But you're unwilling to cooperate and are dissatisfied no matter what they propose. So, what do you actually want?"noveldrama

Zane wasn't clueless. It took Yelena a moment to gather her thoughts. "I just wanted you to step in and handle it for me."

Zane remained composed. "I'm not the police. And besides, I don't like unnecessary drama at dinner parties. That's why, whenever I'm invited, the hosts make sure nothing like that happens."

Yelena caught the underlying meaning. He was making it clear—no one would be stupid enough to stir up trouble at an event where he was present.

More importantly, everyone at the party had already seen the surveillance footage. They knew what had happened. Even if she wanted to argue, there was nothing she could say.

Yelena hesitated, unsure of what to say next, until her eyes settled on me sitting in the car. Suddenly, her expression twisted in anger, and she jabbed a finger in my direction. "What are you doing here?"

Her sudden outburst caught me off guard. Why was she taking it out on me?

Still, I kept my composure and smiled. "I came with my daughter to pick up my husband. Is that a problem?"

"Of course, it's a problem!" Yelena's frustration came pouring out all at once. "You must be the one stopping Zane from helping me! Otherwise, a decent man like him—"

Zane cut her off. "First of all, I'm not as decent as you make me out to be. Stop confusing your fantasies with reality."

I chimed in, "I wouldn't mind Zane helping you if you were truly a victim who'd been taken advantage of. But that's not the case, so why should we spare you any mercy?"

"Save your excuses!" Yelena hissed through gritted teeth. "You're just afraid Zane will fall for me! Face it—you're past your prime, divorced, and have a kid.

"You've lost your appeal! But I'm young and beautiful. As long as Zane spends time with me, it won't

be long before he chooses me over you! She practically shrieke@the words.

I only found her pathetic. "Believe whatever you want. It makes no difference to me."

Zane figured he should set the record straight. Otherwise, Yelena would keep pestering him and wasting his time.

"If I was the kind of guy who only went for young, pretty women, do you really think you'd be the first in line?" he asked.