Chapter 122
Sofia clung to Zinnia desperately, as if she feared Zinnia would disappear the moment she let go.
Zinnia stood frozen, not knowing how to face the Lynns. She could see unmistakable worry filling their eyes.
Noticing Zinniaโs flustered expression, Yannis pushed the door wide open and said, โSofia, Henry, come on in.โ
โYannis, thank you for looking after Zinnia,โ Charlie said, the last to enter. Seeing Zinnia safe and sound, he finally let out the breath heโd been holding.
โWeโre friends, no need to thank me. Come on in,โ Yannis said, ushering Charlie inside.
Sofia gripped Zinniaโs hand tightly and said, โZinnia, donโt listen to Maelis or any of the Shaws. Theyโre all out of their minds. From now on, youโre only my granddaughter; you have nothing to do with the Shaw family.โ
Sofia adored Zinnia from the bottom of her heart. When she and Henry got the call from Jackson, their heads were buzzing. They knew Maelis could be foolish, but never imagined sheโd be so confused she couldnโt tell right from wrong.
Zinnia was caught off guard by Sofiaโs reaction. A complicated mix of emotions welled up inside her. She had expected Sofia and the others to scold her for being immature, but instead, they were standing up for her.
Seeing the lost look on Zinniaโs face, Sofiaโs heart ached. She said softly, โZinnia, go home with me. Iโll protect you. No oneโs going to mess with you. If anyone dares to bully you, Iโll take them down, one or two, Iโll handle them all.โ
Sofia had thought that once Zinnia moved out, the Shaw family would finally calm down. But to her utter disbelief, they stooped so low as to pull such a shameful stunt, all for Betty, an outsider. Her disappointment in Maelis knew no bounds.
โZinnia, Sofiaโs right. Come home with us. We wonโt let anyone from the Shaw family bother you again,โ Henry said softly, his heart aching.
Henry cherished Zinnia dearly. He cursed Maelis inwardly for the way she treated Zinnia.
โSofia, Iโm grown up now. I can take care of myself,โ Zinnia said softly, lowering her head in quiet refusal as she faced their affection.
Sofia tightened her grip on Zinniaโs hand. Her eyes blazed with unwavering determination as she said, โZinnia, your mother has no say in the Lynn family. You are a Lynn now, not a Shaw. The Shaws donโt deserve to call you family.
โI will make a public announcement that you have severed ties with the Shaw family and that you are my only granddaughter.โ
Sofia had once held onto hope that Maelis and the Shaw family might come to their senses, but instead, they only went from bad to worse.
She thought, โThe Shaws just donโt know how to cherish anything. If they donโt want Zinnia, then we would gladly take her in and cherish her as our own.โ
Zinnia said, โSofia, itโs okay. I know you love me dearly, but I donโt want you to worry about me because of this. Youโve already done so much for me. I will just live alone and stay away from the Shaws.โ
After Zinnia was acknowledged by the Shaw family, although the Shaw family did not publicly declare that she was their biological daughter, her identity was not a secret within their circle.
Now that she had severed ties with the Shaw family, she didnโt want to be associated with them anymore.
However, Zinnia wasnโt very supportive of Sofiaโs proposal to make such a public announcement. She was worried that if Maelis caused trouble for Sofia and the others.
Zinnia thought, โEver since I moved in with the Lynns, Maelis has made no secret of her disdain for me, constantly disapproving of Sofia and the others taking me in.
โIf Sofia made the announcement, I canโt imagine the endless trouble Maelis would cause for Sofia and the rest.โ
Although Sofia and others kept saying they werenโt afraid, Zinnia didnโt want them to be disturbed because of her. She wasn't planning on staying here much longer. Once her Master returned, sheโd leave.
She thought, โMartis is still Sofiaโs daughter. Even after I leave, theyโll remain family, thereโs no need for me to cause an irreparable rift.โ
Sofia explained gently, โZinnia, you are not even an adult. You canโt live alone. And if you still want to go to school here, you need a guardian.โ
Sofia was far too perceptive, so she could easily understand the reason why Zinnia refused. She knew Zinnia was shielding them from trouble. Yet her very thoughtfulness only made Sofiaโs heart ache all the more.
Sofia thought, โZinnia is still just a child, yet treated so cruelly by her own family. And she is still thoughtful enough to put others first. Though she is the one most hurt in all this, she hasnโt spared a single thought for herself.โ
Zinnia frowned as she listened to Sofia. She didnโt expect it to be so complicated. She thought, โThe Shaw family is currently my guardian, but Iโve severed ties with them. If I want to continue my education, I need a new guardian.
โBut Master is not around, and he doesnโt want to be found. What should I do?โ
Zinnia fell silent, but the distress on her face was unmistakable.
Sofia understood all too well that the Shaws had wounded Zinnia so deeply that Zinnia now wanted nothing more to do with any family ties whatsoever.
She said, โZinnia, donโt worry about the Shaw family. They have no say in our familyโs decisions. Just move in with us. We will handle everything for you.โ
Zinnia and Sofia were locked in a stubborn standoff. Zinnia stood her ground, and Sofia couldnโt stop worrying about Zinnia.
As their argument reached an impasse, Yannis hung up the phone, with Yvetteโs excited voice still faintly in the background, and stepped forward to join them.
Yannis suggested, โSofia, how about this? Letโs change Zinniaโs official family registration address to the Jenkins residence. And we can draft a statement to make the Jenkins family Zinniaโs guardians for now.
โAfter all, Zinnia has already accepted Yvette as her godmother. If we do this, Maelis wonโt cause you any trouble, and Zinnia wonโt have to worry about you either way.
โYou are all family, and no matter where the registration is, your love for Zinnia wonโt change. She doesnโt want to make things hard for you, and you wouldnโt feel comfortable handing her over to strangers.
โYvette might seem a bit unreliable sometimes, but when it comes to kids, she and her husband are the best. Just look at how rambunctious Maisie is.
โThatโs all because of how much they spoil her. Theyโve always wanted another girl, and if Zinnia joins their family, theyโll be thrilled.
โOur families know each other well. I just called Yvette, and theyโre already on their way. As soon as Zinnia agrees, we can get the statement done right away.โ
Yannisโs words gave the Lynns pause for thought. They pondered, โYannis has a point. If Zinnia is truly set against joining our family, the Jenkins family would be a wonderful alternative.
โWe have met Yvette and Aaron before. They are kind and trustworthy people, certainly far better than the Shaws.
โZinnia has never had parental love. If she becomes part of the Jenkins family, sheโll finally have loving parents. Raymond has long regretted not being able to mentor her.
โIf Zinnia becomes part of the younger generation of the Spence family, Raymond would be truly delighted.โ
Zinnia froze, staring at Yannis in disbelief. She hadnโt expected him to help her in this way, especially since they had only known each other for a short time.