The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

I never intended to ask for the money, but I couldn't deal with Chloe's frequent disturbances and claims that I spent a lot of Steven's money.

A wicked thought crossed my mind. I wondered what Chloe would do if she found out that Steven had been using my money instead.

Chloe said proudly, "Sure. Let's see how much Steven spent on you! Now that you've found another rich man, if you had even the slightest bit of dignity, you should return all the money Steven's ever spent on you."

"Sure. But if I had been spending on Steven, you should tell him to pay me back, too," I replied.

In response, Chloe nodded and said, "Sure."

But as Chloe examined the transaction histories, she began to frown. She noticed that every cent was spent on Steven; I hadn't even spent on Zachary. Above all, I had been generous to Steven. I bought him expensive things, and none of them were cheap.

When Chloe looked up at me, I said, "You've abandoned Zachary, so I won't ask you for the money I spent on him."

Chloe was still in disbelief after going through the transaction records. She asked, "Did you really spend over two million dollars on Steven across six years?"

Without answering her question directly, I said, "If you question any single one of these transactions, you may point them out. I can explain every expense to you, and I can tell you exactly when I spent this on him."

However, Chloe didn't need any explanation because they were detailed in the records. Frowning, she shifted her gaze between Annalise and the transaction histories. She couldn't accept the fact that Steven had been so stingy with Annalise while she had been generous with him.

On second thought, Chloe realized that Annalise must have made a lot of money as a housewife. Steven had earned even more money; even if he hadn't spent them on Annalise, he would've bought her many expensive items.

With that thought, Chloe felt more relieved. She hurriedly patted Steven on the shoulder and asked, "Where are the transaction records of the things you bought for Annalise? Let me see!"

However, Steven was silent. All he did was stare at me, but I fearlessly stared back at him.

Steven said helplessly, "That's enough. Must you embarrass my mother like that?"

Upon hearing that, I chuckled. I said, "It was your mother who came to my boyfriend and slandered me.

She claimed that my mother and I spent your money.

"Even after explained that I didn't

spend much, she insisted on

slandering me. All I'm trying to do is to prove my innocence. Does it

seem like I am intentionally trying to shame your mother?"

Perhaps it was because I had already broken up with Steven. Even if he wronged me now, I never felt upset.

On top of that, I felt relieved over the fact that we were divorced. Otherwise, I would have even more grievances in my life.

Steven immediately said, "Yes. You knew the kind of person she was. In the past, you endured her behavior, but..."

"I endured her behavior because I

loved you. I didn't start a fight with your mother for your sake," I said calmly, as if I was narrating

love

something unrelated to me.

I continued, "But now, you're a stranger to me. The same goes for your mother. In that case, why should I

sacrifice myself for your happiness now?"

Steven stared at me intently.