The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

"So, I suppose I should start listening to my parents from now on," Yvette said.

She reflected on the times when she had ignored her parents' advice. No matter how hard she tried, things never turned out the way she had hoped. Maybe, if she listened to them now, her life could finally fall into place.noveldrama

Gavin was at a loss for words.

Yvette found him odd. "Last time we talked, you said you wouldn't come looking for me if I didn't reach out. So what's this about now? Did you remember something you needed to say?"

Gavin had a lot on his mind, but it all seemed impossible to put into words. He remained quiet for what felt like an eternity.

Still, he couldn't shake the fear that if he didn't speak up, he might lose both Yvette and Sherry-the two women who truly cared about him on the same day.

After battling with his thoughts, he finally managed to ask, "Since you're thinking about getting married, have you ever considered marrying me?"

It was the question Yvette had waited years to hear. There was a time when she believed it was the one thing she wanted more than anything. But now, hearing it spoken aloud, all she felt was a profound, overwhelming sadness.

"I would've been over the moon if you'd asked me this sooner. I would've said yes without even thinking twice. But now, it just makes me sad for some reason," she said.

Yvette couldn't stop wondering what all those years of standing by his side had meant if it only took walking away for Gavin to pop the question.

"Let's just say I was stubborn back then, Gavin. If we ever run into each other again, let's pretend we've never met," she said.

With that, she began to turn away.

Gavin grabbed her arm, stopping her. "Wait, don't leave yet. Don't you think we should talk this through?"

Yvette jerked her arm free. "What's left to say?"

Gavin looked puzzled. "You've always had a hand in my relationships, haven't

you? Wasn't it all because you wanted me to marry you? Now that I'm offering you what you wanted, what's the problem?"

"Yes, you're right. Gavin, you should know how much I cared about you back then, even if I don't spell it out."

Gavin nodded. "Yeah."

Yvette kept her gaze down. "But because cared about you, I had to slowly step back and find my own place in your life while watching you fall for others. Eventually, we both just accepted that we were friends.

"To everyone else, I'm just your close friend-the one who could never be more than that. When you started dating your first girlfriend, I couldn't help but feel so bitter. Why was it that you could love them but not me?"

Tears started rolling down her cheeks before she even realized. It was only now that Yvette fully grasped how strong her feelings for Gavin were. He still could affect her so effortlessly.

"I asked you before. What was it about me that made me different from your girlfriends? Why could you be with them but never think about being with me? Do you remember what you said?" she asked, holding his gaze.

Gavin hesitated for a long moment before finally shaking his head. "Honestly, I don't know. I don't remember."

"You've forgotten, but I haven't," Yvette said. "You told me you could never see yourself with a close friend, that the idea of it made you uncomfortable.

"So, I stepped back and watched as you moved from one girlfriend to the next. I watched you go from casual flings to serious relationships, getting ready to settle down and marry.

"And over time, I came to accept my role as just your close friend. I slowly adjusted our relationship, little by little, until it became nothing more than friendship."