The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Jessica didn't budge, no matter how hard Gary and Julia tried to convince her.

Julia slowed down, choosing her words. "The real reason we're here is to suggest you should consider getting back with Casper."

"No, thanks. If that's why you're here, you can leave now. I've got work to do, and I'm not wasting any more time on this," Jessica said.

She walked over and yanked the door open. "You can go."

Julia looked at Gary, who kept his voice calm and even.

"I'm okay with you having Steven's baby. If you take the kid with you and marry Casper again, we'll treat them like our own grandchild. I just hope you don't throw away a chance like that."

As calm as ever, Jessica said, "It's not even worth holding onto. When I didn't have a job, I thought being a stay-at-home wife would be great-no money worries, just taking care of things at home.

"But I figured out the hard way that it doesn't work like that. Earning my own money is way better than relying on someone else to hand it to me. That way, I don't have to walk on eggshells around anyone, and I get to live life on my terms.

"Instead of wasting your time on me, why don't you focus on Casper? Once he's back, find him another woman.

"I'm sure he'd be okay with having another kid. Then you'll get your real, blood- related grandkid and won't have to keep eyeing mine."

Upon hearing how firm Jessica was, Gary knew she was never going to give up Cody. His face darkened.

"I'm trying to keep this civil, for your sake. But if you keep refusing to let go of Cody, you know how this plays out, right?" he muttered.

Jessica shook her head. "No, I don't."

Gary said, I take you to court. The Gibsons are richer than you, and we've got the upper hand in every way So, take a guess-who do you think the judge will side with?"

Jessica laughed. This was what she'd expected from the Gibsons. There was no way they were ever going to let her keep Cody willingly, but she wasn't worried in the least.

She said, "Go ahead. I'll bring all the proof of how you've been picking on me and Cody for years. With what's

for Cody in mind, the court's going to give me custody.

"Oh, and by the way, you haven't paid a single cent of child support since the divorce. If you take me to court, you'll have to pay all that back support. Otherwise, I won't let you see Cody at all."

Gary's face grew even darker.

Jessica added, "Also, this house was bought by Steven. Unless it's absolutely necessary, I'd rather you not show up here bothering me again."

With that, she crossed her arms and stared them down until they had no choice but to get up and leave.

As Jessica shut the door behind them, Julia quickly said, "She's having Steven's baby. Are you really just going to let her go back to Casper?"noveldrama

Gary shot back, "What's your plan if we don't let her fix things with Casper? He's always loved her, even now that she's married to Steven.

"If we don't back off, he's never getting married again. We won't have our own grandkids in this lifetime!"