When Zinnia woke up the next morning, she stared at the unfamiliar room and was at a loss for a moment. She thought, โOh, right. Iโve moved again.โ
In just three months since arriving in Jinston, Zinnia had already moved four times. She lowered her lashes with a quiet sigh. She thought, โWill I have to move again?โ
Zinnia got up and tidied herself. She changed into a pink dress and tied her hair into a low ponytail. Carrying her backpack, she opened the door, only to freeze at the sight of Jacksonโs tall, elegant figure standing in the living room.
โZinnia,โ Jackson called out softly as he took two quick steps toward her.
โJackson,โ Zinnia murmured in surprise, never expecting to see him the moment she woke up.
Though it had been just over a week since they last met, Jackson already looked noticeably haggard. His handsome features were shadowed with exhaustion from his rushed journey, even sporting stubble on his chin.
Zinnia had never seen Jackson in such an unkempt state before.
Jackson felt his heart finally settle when he saw Zinnia. He pulled her into his arms, his hand gently stroking the back of her head as if to calm them both.
His deep voice was thick with guilt and relief as he said, โSorry, Zinnia. Itโs my fault. I didnโt protect you.โ
The previous day, when Jackson received the news that Zinnia had been bullied by the Shaw family, his heart clenched with regret. Guilt gnawed at him, spreading through his heart like an inescapable shadow.
He thought, โI am the one who brought Zinnia home, yet I failed to protect her. I shouldโve been there. I left her alone to face all that malice.โ
Zinnia rested her head against his chest, listening to his rapid, anxious heartbeat. Tilting her face up, she studied him.
She noticed the dark shadows under his eyes, a clear sign that he hadnโt rested properly in a long while. She asked, โJackson, when did you get back?โ
โI got back this morning,โ Jackson said softly.
Jackson had flown back overnight. Before that, he had spent a whole day in meetings. With no time to rest, he rushed here right after getting off the plane.
When he arrived, Zinnia was sleeping. Jackson didnโt disturb her. He just sat in the living room, hoping to be the first person she saw when she woke up the next day.
Yannis retrieved the breakfast delivery from the door and turned around. Seeing Zinnia and Jackson locked in an embrace, he yawned lazily and teased, โAlright, you two, wrap it up, breakfast is ready.โ
Yannis suffered the most when Jackson came back in the dead of night. Heโd just managed to fall asleep, only to be woken up and bombarded with questions. Jackson kept asking him about Zinniaโs situation.
Neither Jackson nor Yannis got another wink of sleep. They lay awake until dawn, and Yannis could do nothing but tackle company matters during those sleepless hours.
Waiting until it was nearly time for Zinnia to leave for school, Yannis called his assistant to have breakfast delivered. Since Zinnia was staying with him, he didnโt rush off to the office early like he usually did.
Jackson released Zinnia from his embrace. He said, โLetโs eat, Zinnia. Iโll drive you to school later.โ He took her backpack and led her toward the dining table.
โZinnia, I wasnโt sure what you liked, so I just had someone bring over a bit of everything. If thereโs something you prefer, let me know, and Iโll get it for you next time,โ Yannis said as he took the food out one by one.
Then Yannis went to the kitchen to pour some milk for Zinnia and brewed coffee for himself and Jackson.
Zinnia took her seat, with Jackson settling beside her while Yannis sat across from them.
Seeing Jackson and Yannis drinking coffee first thing in the morning, Zinnia frowned. She said, โBoth of you already have insomnia, and now youโre drinking coffee this early? You need to cut back. Too much caffeine disrupts your bodyโs natural rhythm. If this keeps up, your insomnia will only get worse.โ
Yannis and Jackson had just reached for their coffee when Zinniaโs words stopped them in their tracks. Without protest, they withdrew their hands.
Yannis stood up and said, โAlright, no coffee then. Iโll go pour some milk for us.โ With that, he headed straight into the kitchen.
Jackson was taken aback to see Yannis obey so meekly. After all these years of knowing him, Jackson knew that while Yannis seemed approachable, few could truly reach his heart, let alone get him to listen. Even James couldnโt manage that.
Jackson looked at Zinnia, his usually cold eyes softening with warmth. He said, โLooks like you are getting along well with Yannis.โ
Jackson had worried that Zinnia and Yannis wouldnโt get along, but seeing that Yannis was closer to Zinnia than he was made him feel a bit left out and jealous.
Zinnia said, โIโm treating his condition. If it werenโt for that, we probably wouldnโt have much to do with each other.โ
When Jackson returned late at night, Yannis had already explained to him about Zinnia treating his illness. So Jackson wasnโt surprised now. He asked gently, โZinnia, would you like to come live with me?โ
Jackson had considered it all along. But he worried that with his demanding work schedule, which often kept him out late, he wouldnโt be able to properly care for Zinnia if she lived with him. That was why he arranged for her to stay here.
He had thought, โThe place is close to Zinniaโs school, and with Yannis around, he could keep an eye on her if anything happened.โ But no matter how many precautions he took, he never imagined the Shaw family would stoop so low.
After the Shaw family incident, Jackson couldnโt stand leaving Zinnia alone anymore. He wanted her to move in with him right away, regretting that he hadnโt insisted on it from the start.
Zinnia picked up a pancake and took a small bite, letting his words hang in the air for a moment before responding.
Jacksonโs heart ached as he watched her reaction. He thought, โThe Shaw family did hurt her after all.โ
Just then, Yannis came out from the kitchen with two glasses of milk. He raised an eyebrow at Jackson and teased, โWhat, afraid Iโll eat Zinnia alive if she stays here with me?โ
Yannis grumbled inwardly, โSeriously? He just got back, and now he wants to take Zinnia away? I spent half the night convincing her to stay, and now heโs just swooping in. Talk about not playing fair.โ
Jackson replied, โNo, itโs just that with your work and Zinniaโs school, I donโt want to burden you for too long. I was thinking maybe she could stay with me instead.โ
Jackson pondered, โZinniaโs in her senior year. Yannis has just come back and is already swamped with work. With one at school and the other at the office, how could he possibly have time to look after her? Besides, Yannis has never been one for unnecessary trouble. Even if Yannis is only tolerating Zinnia out of courtesy for now, if this continues problems are bound to arise.โ
Yannis replied, โItโs no trouble at all. Zinniaโs so adorable. How could she ever be a burden? Iโm taking advantage here, having a private doctor always around to look after me.โ
Yannis glanced at Zinnia, a gentle smile curling at his lips. His voice was warm and teasing, especially when he lingered on the words โprivate doctor.โ His tone brimmed with unmistakable tenderness.
Zinnia looked at Yannis. She bit her lips, realizing he was helping her out of a difficult situation.
Jackson was surprised by how readily Yannis accepted Zinnia. He thought, โWhy does it feel like Yannis likes Zinnia even more than I expected? It doesnโt seem to be just because I asked him to, itโs for who she is.โ
Yannis continued, โCome on, I may have a job too, but letโs be honest, Iโm way less swamped than you are. Just let Zinnia stay with me. You go do what you need to do. Donโt worry, Iโll take great care of her.โ
Yannis slid the glass of milk over to Jackson before sitting down. Yannis knew that the entire burden of the Lynn family rested on Jacksonโs shoulders; Jackson wasnโt having it easy.
What the Shaw family did this time crossed Jacksonโs bottom line. He might look calm and composed now, but the moment he heard what had happened to Zinnia, he rushed back in a fury. That alone showed how much he cared about her.
Yannis thought, โThe more Jackson cares for Zinnia, the deeper his anger toward the Shaw family burns. Thereโs no way things will stay peaceful for them now. With the Shaw family to deal with, Lynn Corporation to manage, and Zinnia to look after, Jackson is running ragged. As his friend, I shall help shoulder some of the burden.โ
After breakfast, Jackson and Yannis sent Zinnia to school. They waited until she had safely entered before finally leaving.
As they walked toward the car, Jackson said, โIโll cover all of Zinniaโs expenses.โ
Jackson was swamped. After dropping Zinnia off, he still had to head to the office. The way the Shaw family treated Zinnia made Jackson seethe with anger.
He thought, โThey need to be taught a lesson. They ride on the Lynn familyโs coattails, yet treat someone I care about like this? Didnโt they tell Zinnia not to rely on our influence? Fine, letโs see how the Shaw family fares without it. Maelis was at fault, but the Shaw brothers were even worse. Not one of them had the guts to stand up for Zinnia. They just stood by indifferently, making a few sarcastic remarks. I will make them regret what they have done to Zinnia.โ
Knowing Jackson wouldnโt feel at ease unless he could do something, Yannis nodded and agreed.
Zinnia entered the classroom and immediately overheard her classmates gossiping about the Shaw family.
โDid you hear? The Shaw familyโs in trouble. Their company got hacked last night. A ton of data got leaked, and their stock price went haywire,โ one classmate whispered.
Another chimed in, โThatโs not all. My dad said the Lynn family just pulled out of a bunch of projects with the Shaw family. Something must have gone down between the two families.โ
One added, โThe Shaw family is just no match for the Lynns. The moment the Lynns pulled out, the Shaws couldnโt weather the storm.โ
Someone else jumped in. โAnd get this, the contract the Shaws signed with MZ Group just two months ago? They got a termination notice first thing this morning.