Chapter 121
Yannis said, โCutting ties with the Shaw family only means youโre done with them, not with me or Jackson. We care about you, and that has nothing to do with the Shaws. So donโt lump us in with them or blame us by association.โ
Yannis took a deep breath. He genuinely admired Zinnia for cutting ties with the Shaw family so decisively. He thought, 'If the Shaw family were standing right in front of me, I wouldn't have the courage to cut them off.'
He was genuinely proud of Zinnia for cutting them out. But he didnโt want Zinnia to lump him and Jackson in with the Shaws just because of the Shawsโ disgraceful acts. He thought, โThe Shaws are scumbags. Jackson and I donโt want to be blamed by association. That would be completely unfair to us!โ
Hearing Yannisโs words, the confusion in Zinniaโs eyes gradually faded. She didnโt regret leaving the Shaws behind, but when she thought of Jackson, she couldnโt help but feel a pang of regret.
Yannisโs words cut through her previous confusion.
Yannis crouched down in front of Zinnia, locking eyes with her. He said, โZinnia, do you think that just because youโve cut ties with the Shaw family, you have to cut me and Jackson out too?โ
Sunlight piercing fog, bringing sudden clarity to her troubled heart.
Zinnia knew she was not the brightest. There were so many things she couldnโt figure out. Cutting ties with the Shaw family was something she had been preparing for a long time.
But she never expected Jackson to barge in so abruptly. She wasnโt prepared for him at all, so she was at a loss for a moment.
Yannis gave Zinniaโs cheeks an affectionate pinch. โYou silly girl, are you trying to drive Jackson and me crazy?โ he huffed.
Zinniaโs silence told Yannis everything: she was thinking that way. Yannis thought, โI have never met anyone so ridiculously naive. While others would kill to be associated with me and Jackson, she is planning to sever all ties with us.'
Zinnia blinked up at Yannis without resisting. With her cheeks still pinched, she mumbled, โI didnโt mean to make you mad.โ Her words came out slurred, but she truly hadnโt meant to upset him.
Yannis said, โZinnia, when you donโt know what to do, why donโt you call me? If youโre lost, donโt you think Iโd notice?โ
Yannis gave her cheeks another affectionate, exasperated squeeze before finally letting go, the soft, pillowy feel still lingering on his fingertips. He thought, โFor such a tiny girl, she sure has the chubbiest cheeks.โ
โI donโt want to bother you or be a burden,โ Zinnia said softly. She was straightforward by nature. She never beat around the bush or bothered with polite formalities; those things were just too complicated for her.
Zinnia didnโt want to bother Yannis. She felt Yannis had helped her a lot with Anneโs accident.
She was not the type who liked to trouble others, especially after what Maelis said today, telling her to repay every cent the Shaw family had ever spent on her. That only made Zinnia even more determined not to bother Yannis anymore.
Zinnia thought, โItโs easy to return things, but debts of kindness are the hardest to repay. At least I owe the Shaws nothing. But when it comes to Jackson and the others, thatโs a different story.'
She had no idea how to repay their kindness, so she tried to keep her debts to them as minimal as possible. Except for her Master, she found it hard to truly trust anyone else.
Yannis met her calm gaze and said earnestly, โZinnia, youโre never a bother to me. Whatever youโre going through has never been a burden to me.โ
Yannis had never considered Zinniaโs troubles a burden. He was more than happy for her to turn to him whenever she was in trouble, rather than being left all alone with no one to support her, which would leave her vulnerable to being bullied.
On his way back, Yannis had already requested the residential complexโs surveillance footage. When he saw Maelis trying to hit Zinnia yet again, his blood boiled with rage.
He thought, โMaelis is getting bolder, repeatedly trying to lay a hand on Zinnia. She doesnโt deserve to be called a mother!'
Yannis continued, โIf you donโt want to go back to your department, then stay with me. I wonโt let you leave until Jackson returns. If anything happened to you, Iโd never be able to face him.โ
Zinnia said, โI can stay at a hotel. Iโve grown up now, I can take care of myself. Now that youโve seen me, you can let Jackson know Iโm safe."
Zinnia thought Yannis only brought her back because of Jackson.
Yannis said firmly, โZinnia, I didnโt come looking for you just because Jackson asked. Even if he hadnโt called, Iโd still have come. I will never turn my back on you when you need help.โ
Zinniaโs words made Yannis sigh. He seethed inwardly at the Shaw family, โNothing but a bunch of troublemakers!'
Zinnia froze. She thought, "I donโt belong here. Once Master returns, I will leave. I didnโt expect anyone to care if I stayed or not.
โBut now, Jackson cares about me, and so does Yannis. Maybe Iโm not as alone in this city as I always believed. Some people would worry if I left, people who truly care about me.โ
She couldnโt quite describe what she was feeling. No one had ever looked her in the eye and plainly said, โI care about you.โ
As they were talking, the doorbell suddenly rang. Zinnia looked toward the door, thinking to herself, โThat must be Sofia and the others.โ
โStay put, Zinnia. Iโll go check it out,โ Yannis said as he got up and headed toward the door.
The door opened to reveal Sofia and the Lynn family, just as Zinnia had expected.
Sofia anxiously asked, โYannis, whereโs Zinnia? Where is she?โ
The entire Lynn family had arrived, including Charlie. Charlie was on duty at the hospital. He dropped everything and rushed over the moment he received a call from Jackson, his anger barely contained.
โYannis, whereโs Zinnia? Is she alright?โ Henry asked urgently, his voice tight with anger. He knew exactly what disgraceful things Maelis and the others had done, and it made his blood boil.
Yannis stepped aside, revealing Zinnia sitting in the living room. He said, โSofia, Henry, Zinniaโs here at my place, safe and sound.โ
Zinnia set down her cup and stepped out. Seeing the whole Lynn family outside, she was a little lost. She hadnโt meant to trouble them, she just hadnโt expected Jackson would tell them.
Sofia hurried into the room and pulled Zinnia into a tight embrace. She said, โZinnia, my dear, Iโm here now. Iโm so sorry for not raising Maelis right. You shouldnโt have had to go through this because of her.โ
Sofia never imagined Maelis and the others would stoop to such disgraceful acts.
Isaac looked at Zinnia, remorse in his eyes. He said, โIโm sorry, Zinnia. I shouldโve walked you home after school, then Maelis and her family wouldnโt have bullied you.โ