The Unveiled Rose
Chapter 123

I leaned closer to Willow and took a bite, playing along. Upon meeting her eager gaze, I exaggerated my reaction and said, "Wow, this is so delicious!" Willow was satisfied with my performance. "Isn't it?"

She said this and was about to continue eating.

Zane pretended to be jealous and said, "You're only giving it to Mommy and not me?"

Willow quickly took the shrimp she had almost eaten and offered it to Zane instead.

She said seriously, "I'm just helping you blow on it so it won't be too hot for you."

Zane pretended not to notice her real thoughts. "Thank you, Willow."

There were a lot of snacks, but the portions were small. They were just enough for the three of us.

Willow patted her full belly, happily saying, "Good thing I listened to Daddy, or I wouldn't have been able to finish them all!"

Zane chuckled at Willow's little grown-up act and said, "Let's go for a walk."

Otherwise, she might upset her stomach since she ate a little too much today. It would also be uncomfortable for her to sleep later.

Though Willow thought staying here was more comfortable, she knew Zane wouldn't harm her, so she obediently got up.

I walked beside her, softly asking, "What do you want to eat tomorrow?"

I thought about treating them to a feast, but Willow insisted on eating street food. I knew she was considerate, not wanting me to spend too much, but I always wanted her to eat good food. Willow shook her head. "I have no idea."

I suggested, "How about barbeque?"

She quickly agreed, "Sure!"

She grabbed my hand, walking down the street with a confident stride.

I looked down at her and smiled.

Suddenly, I heard someone calling my name.

"Annalise?"

I turned toward the voice.

Gavin's gaze swept over Zane and Willow before he looked at me with discontent. "You're really heartless, aren't you?"

"You just divorced Steven and already found someone else."

Only after seeing this scene did he realize why Steven was so upset when he mentioned me. It was true that I had truly moved on.

"Steven's no better. He found a new wife even before the divorce," I replied, unaffected by their criticism of me.

I even smiled as I responded, "If I'm not mistaken, Jessica's baby is already a few months along.

"Since you're so righteous, speaking up for Steven when you see me with someone of the opposite sex and a child, you must have rushed over to chide Steven when you learned that he cheated on me, right?" Gavin remembered how I used to be. I was always gentle and accommodating. I always put on a smile no matter how harsh their words were.

He was taken aback. What was this about now? Was she actually arguing back?

Zane spoke softly, "You make a good point."

I was surprised that he agreed with me. I looked at him in disbelief.

Zane continued, "Otherwise, do they have two different sets of standards? Steven is irresponsible and cheats, but they say nothing about his behavior. Yet they blame you for not being faithful to a man you're already divorced from?" I pretended to be surprised and asked Gavin, "You're not this kind of person, are you?"

At this point, Gavin found himself in a difficult position. No matter how he responded, it would appear wrong.

If he admitted that he didn't play favorites, he couldn't criticize Annalise. But if he openly admitted he was being protective...

Steven was in the wrong in this relationship.

Thus, leaving him no grounds to roast Annalise.