The Unveiled Rose
Chapter 152

"What are you standing there for?" Jessica's tone was harsh.

Back then, Zachary would have felt aggrieved by this, but now, he had already gotten used to it.

He walked out of the school gates with a pout. "You're picking up your son, not me."

Jessica didn't want to lose her composure in front of the other parents. "Can't I pick up both of you?"

"Then, why didn't you pick me up with Cody before?" Zachary retorted. "Now that a driver is picking me up, I don't need to go with you." Jessica took a deep breath.

But before she collected herself, Zachary had already gotten into his designated car. The car then quickly drove off.

...

Harry saw Jessica's grim expression through the rearview mirror and couldn't help but feel a little afraid. "What will we tell Mr. Pelham when we get back?"

After all, Steven paid him, and Jessica was his partner. Harry feared Jessica would badmouth him in front of Steven, and he might lose his job.

Zachary reassured him, "It's fine. I'll explain to my dad. Don't worry."

Harry still wasn't at ease.

Zachary had no choice but to call Steven in front of him. "Daddy, Mommy Jessie is in a bad mood, and when she came to pick me up, I didn't dare to get in her car. You won't blame me, right?" Steven said with an indulgent tone, "Don't worry. I won't."

"Great." Zachary looked out the window. "I'll be getting home late today."

Steven asked, "Still following your mom?"

Zachary didn't deny it. "Yeah."

Ever since he realized that Jessica's kindness was all an act, he felt empty inside, as if he had lost someone important.

What Zachary hadn't told anyone was that the only time he felt at ease now was when he was following Annalise, watching her.

Steven didn't stop him and just sighed. "Come home earlier."

Zachary didn't answer.

Why should he go back so early? Jessica was really upset right now. If he went home, she would definitely vent all her anger on him. He wasn't that foolish.

Steven didn't get a response from him, so he gently reminded him, "Did you hear me?"

Zachary gave a perfunctory reply, "Mm."

...

I sat in the backseat, watching as Willow swung her little legs and smiled happily. She was clearly in a good mood.

I gently pulled her into my arms and softly asked, "Did anything happen at school today?"

Willow looked at me, saying, "Today, all the kids stayed far away from Cody. Not a single one dared to go near him! Before even the first lesson was over, he was hunching over the desk, crying nonstop."

"I was so proud at that moment. After all, when everyone ignored me, I only felt a little upset. I didn't cry, though," she added, looking up at me with an expression that seemed to ask for praise.

I gently pinched her little nose. "From the looks of it, our Willow has a pretty strong ability to handle pressure."

Willow pouted. "Yeah! Don't you see whose daughter I am?"

I was about to reply when Zane interrupted, "Mine."

Willow quickly snuggled into my arms. "Mommy's."

Zane raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Willow muttered in dissatisfaction, "Fine! Also Daddy's."

She buried her face in my chest and fell silent, fiddling with her hair.