Come in 13
Posted on July 07, 2025 ยท 0 mins read
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Chapter 13

That first night at the Lynn residence, Zinnia slept deeply. There was no rattling air conditioner or creeping draftsโ€“just perfect stillness. When she finally stirred the next morning, sunlight told her it was nearly ten before she wandered downstairs.

Downstairs, Sofia was trimming her potted plants while Henry lounged in his favorite chair, sipping tea and peering at the newspaper through his reading glasses.

โ€œZinnia, youโ€™re awake.โ€ Sofia turned at the sound of footsteps, her face lighting up.

Zinnia looked much better today, her fresh-faced sweetness making them want to hug her.

Henry folded his paper with a rustle. โ€œBenedict, tell the chef to prepare breakfast for Zinnia,โ€ he called out, grinning at her.

โ€œRight away.โ€ Benedict acknowledged before disappearing toward the kitchen.

โ€œGood morning, Grandma, Grandpa,โ€ Zinnia greeted them.

Sofiaโ€™s gaze lingered on Zinniaโ€™s faded outfitโ€“the yellowed white tee and frayed jeans. โ€œDidnโ€™t Jackson leave clothes for you, dear?โ€

โ€œHe did,โ€ Zinnia replied, though she wasnโ€™t sure why Sofia had asked. Her mind drifted to the walk-in closet full of beautiful dressesโ€“lovely things sheโ€™d never imagined could be meant for her.

Instead, she still wore the clothes her master had given her. Though pilled and worn, they had always been enough for her.

Her master would wear the same threadbare clothes for years, yet never failed to buy her new seasonal outfits. The contrast wasnโ€™t lost on Zinnia.

โ€œDonโ€™t you like the clothes Jackson picked for you, dear?โ€ Sofia asked gently. โ€œLet me take you shoppingโ€“we can even have selections brought to the house for you to choose.โ€

Misreading Zinniaโ€™s hesitation as dissatisfaction, Sofia resolved to refresh her granddaughterโ€™s wardrobe.

โ€œThatโ€™s not necessary, Grandma.โ€ Zinnia shook her head. โ€œI brought enough from Tareston.โ€

The truth was, what little money she had went toward medicinal herbs, leaving nothing for frivolities like clothes.

โ€œThese clothes were picked just for you,โ€ Sofia insisted, her heart aching at Zinniaโ€™s hesitation. She couldnโ€™t believe her daughter had failed to provide such basic things for Zinnia.

Henryโ€™s cheerful face dimmed slightly: The Shawsโ€™ neglect grew more appalling by the minute.

Sofia forced down her rising anger and took Zinniaโ€™s hand. โ€œCome along, dear. A beautiful girl should have beautiful clothes.โ€ She made a mental note to have strong words with her daughter laterโ€“this level of neglect was simply unacceptable.

She guided Zinnia upstairs to the walk-in closet bursting with designer pieces.

โ€œReally, Grandma, my clothes are fine,โ€ Zinnia protested, uneasy about accepting such generosity. Debts of kindness, she knew, were the hardest to repay.

โ€œFine? Thereโ€™s nothing fine about frayed edges.โ€ Sofiaโ€™s voice held gentle firmness. โ€œZinnia, youโ€™re our princess now, and princesses deserve proper clothes. Sitโ€“Iโ€™ll choose something for you.โ€

Practical as ever, Sofia recognized Zinniaโ€™s discomfort and sighed quietly. โ€œThose Shaws have done real damage. Healing would take time.โ€

Before Zinnia could protest, Sofia steered her toward the walk-in closet, selecting a butter-yellow sundress. โ€œTry this, darling,โ€ she urged, smoothing the fabric. โ€œItโ€™ll be perfect on you.โ€


After breakfast, Zinnia approached Sofia again, her canvas bag in hand. โ€œGrandma, I need to pick up some things in town.โ€

โ€œOf course,โ€ Sofia agreed easily. โ€œWhat do you need? Iโ€™ll have the car brought around.โ€

โ€œThank you, Grandma.โ€ Zinnia accepted without argument. The Lynn residenceโ€™s remote location made taxis both inconvenient and expensive. Besides, since she needed herbal supplies for Henry, she figured that using the family car was simply practical.

โ€œZinnia, take this and buy yourself something nice,โ€ Sofia said, pressing a card into her granddaughterโ€™s hand.

โ€œBut Grandma, I have money,โ€ Zinnia protested with a small frown.

Her master had left her some money before he went awayโ€“enough to cover what she needed. And the herbs she was after now werenโ€™t even pricey.

As for the rare ingredients, sheโ€™d settled that matter last night with a quick call made to Tareston. Someone there had agreed to ship them to Jinston right away, and they should be arriving soon. Then she could get started on Henryโ€™s medicine.

Todayโ€™s agenda was simpleโ€“run errands and find a place to stay.

โ€œNonsense,โ€ Sofia insisted, closing Zinniaโ€™s fingers around the card. โ€œGrandmaโ€™s money is different. Let me spoil you for once.โ€

By now, Sofia had given up expecting much from her daughterโ€™s family when it came to Zinniaโ€™s wellbeing.

If Maelis had sent Zinnia any money, it would mean she still had a shred of decency left. If not, Sofia was ready to tear into her againโ€“exactly like the phone scolding sheโ€™d delivered after last nightโ€™s dinner.

โ€œGo ahead, dear. The carโ€™s waiting out front,โ€ Sofia said, tucking the credit card into Zinniaโ€™s palm. โ€œIf you miss lunch, call Jackson and make him treat you to something nice.โ€

Then she turned towards Henry and called out, โ€œHenry, give me a hand with these flowers, would you?โ€

Zinnia stared at the card, its weight familiar. It reminded her of the one from her master, still hidden in her backpack.

As Zinnia walked out, she weighed the two cards in her mind. โ€˜Grandmaโ€™s is undoubtedly loaded. After all, the Lynns are famously wealthy. But Masterโ€™s cardโ€ฆโ€™

Her lips pressed together as she shook her head. Though sheโ€™d never checked the balance, she knew with certainty it would be nearly empty. She could just picture her perpetually broke master scraping together coppers for years to fill that card.

Back in Tareston, none of the townโ€™s children had seen beyond their hometown. This vibrant city, bursting with possibilities, made Zinnia determined to earn enough to show them the wider world someday.

Back at the Shaw residence, Maelis was always hovering. Every time Zinnia tried to leave, the interrogation began. โ€œWhere do you think youโ€™re going? What are you going to do?โ€ Maelis would demand.

Betty would chime in with faux concern, โ€œZinnia, you know Jinston is full of important people. You must be careful. If you accidentally offend someone, call us immediately so we donโ€™t worry.โ€ The words sounded caring but carried a clear warning.

Maelis ate it up. Soon, every attempt Zinnia made to go out was met with such intense scrutiny that she simply stopped trying.

Now, finally free from the Shaw residence, Zinnia could move about as she pleased. She mentally ran through her to-do list as the car pulled up to a downtown shopping mall.


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