The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven) novel Chapter 563

I gave a faint smile. After enduring such an unhappy marriage, this new chapter of my life seemed almost surreal in its contentment.

Willow announced the first act and gracefully exited the stage. As her classmates took turns performing, the auditorium erupted in enthusiastic applause. I found myself clapping along, caught up in the moment.

…

From her seat nearby, Portia kept a watchful eye on Annalise. She'd been observing Annalise's interactions with Zane, noticing how his affection for her shone through even in the smallest gestures. She felt her heart warmed by the sight.

Annalise's previous marriage had been a source of great unhappiness—her mother-in-law bullied her, her husband ignored her, and her son resented her. As a result, she slowly transformed from a vibrant young woman into a withdrawn, quiet adult.

Portia had watched this change with a heavy heart, feeling helpless to intervene. In her view, divorce was simply unacceptable. So, Portia could only advise Annalise to endure, believing that maintaining the facade of a complete family would somehow shield her from further hurt.

A remarkable change began when Annalise finally chose to break free, leaving behind her inconsiderate husband and difficult son for a new family. Her smile grew brighter with each passing day.

It was clear that Zane treasured Annalise deeply.

Portia finally felt at ease.

Over the past few years, she had been reflecting on herself. Had her thinking fallen behind the times?

In her generation, women were expected to marry. No matter how badly their husbands behaved, a wife filing for divorce was seen as disgraceful. Divorce meant losing one's dignity, neglecting family, and abandoning one's children.

Portia had been deeply influenced by these ideas and even agreed with them for a long time.

For the past two years, she noticed more and more women around her—trapped in unhappy marriages and mistreated by their families—choosing to divorce. Surprisingly, those women didn't lead the miserable lives she had always imagined.