Chapter 187
“Watch out!” a startled voice shouted.
A sharp pain exploded across Zinnia’s face. Her mind went blank as she stumbled backward, hitting the ground hard. Her earbuds shattered on impact. Sitting dazed, her ears rang sharply as waves of pain spread across her face.
“Zinnia,” Adrian rushed over, kneeling and gently lifting her. She was stunned and disoriented, barely registering what was happening.
“Zinnia, where did you get hurt?” Adrian’s eyes were filled with concern. “Let me call a doctor, okay?”
Zinnia’s eyes stung with tears. Blinking, she pulled her scattered thoughts together. The pain on her face was sharp and real. Digging her nails into her palm, she fought to suppress it. Her voice came out hoarse. “Th-thank you…”
Adrian’s jaw tightened, worry and anger flickering in his eyes. “Come on, I’m getting you checked out.” His tone was gentle but firm.
Adrian had just stepped out for some fresh air when he witnessed Zinnia being slapped. Uncontrollable rage welled up in his chest.
Zinnia took Adrian’s hand and stood up slowly, her face pale. One side of her cheek was visibly red and swollen—a sight enough to make anyone’s heart clench.
“No need,” Zinnia rasped, steadying herself before turning to Maelis, who stood nearby.
“Maelis, did you really think I wouldn’t fight back?” Zinnia shook off Adrian’s hand and walked deliberately toward Maelis, who was frozen in place.
Feeling Adrian’s cold, piercing gaze, Maelis froze, unsure how to react. She’d never seen this man before and hadn’t expected Zinnia to be involved with someone else.
Adrian’s icy glare sent a shiver down Maelis’s spine. His gaze silently promised she would regret this slap.
Watching Zinnia approach, Maelis met her cold stare. Fear finally gripped her, and her feet began to back away.
“Zinnia. You wouldn’t dare hit me, would you?” Maelis said stubbornly, backing away despite her fear. She thought, ‘I’m her mother. What’s wrong with giving her a slap?’
Her family was ruined because of her, everyone blaming her. Yet Zinnia, the real culprit, thrived, enjoying love and care. Maelis felt shame and jealousy burning inside her.
She had seen the video last night. She never expected Zinnia to have such a spark—so full of life, doing what she loved, glowing with confidence. Not at all the quiet shadow everyone back home dismissed.
Praise poured in for Zinnia, but Maelis felt no pride. She hadn’t raised her, not for a single day.
Her daughter, Betty, brought her only shame, constantly messing up. Maelis felt crushed by the unbearable difference between what she gave and what she received.
Her husband’s blame, her son’s resentment, Betty’s disgrace, her parents’ indifference, and the public humiliation at the party—all crashed down at once, shattering Maelis’s once-perfect world.
She had bottled everything up, only to see the daughter she once looked down on standing center stage, radiant and untouchable. At that moment, Maelis cracked.
Driven by a sudden impulse, Maelis followed Zinnia when she saw her leave alone. The garden was nearly empty. With her back turned, Zinnia laughed softly, still talking to someone.
Chapter 187
A fierce anger burned inside Maelis. Seeing that Zinnia didn’t notice her, a secret thrill sparked within her. She didn’t move, and Zinnia remained unaware.
Seeing Zinnia’s back turned, Maelis acted on impulse, slapping her hard across the face. A perverse sense of satisfaction welled up in Maelis. She thought, ‘It’s all her fault. She ruined my entire family!’
Maelis never thought Zinnia would hit back.
“Maelis, you’ve tried to hit me three times, and today you succeeded. Are you happy now?” Zinnia watched Maelis step back. Her expression was cold and unreadable.
Zinnia had held back the first two times, yet Maelis kept provoking her—shameless and ungrateful. But Zinnia wasn’t someone who just took it; she always fought back against Betty’s bullying.
Maelis kept trying to hurt her, but out of respect for Sofia, Zinnia never fought back harshly. This time, she would not endure the repeated attacks.
Maelis shrieked as her high heels twisted, causing her to fall. A sharp pain shot through her body.
Pain shot through Maelis’s foot and face. Her eyes widened as she clutched her cheek, staring in disbelief at Zinnia.
Maelis’s features twisted in rage as she lunged at Zinnia. Her chest heaved with fury. “How dare you hit me, Zinnia! I’m your mother! How could you strike me?”
Maelis thought, ‘How dare Zinnia! Where did she get the audacity to strike me?’
Adrian swiftly stepped in front of Zinnia, shielding her. “Zinnia, step back,” he said.
Yannis felt uneasy as people crowded around him. He noticed Zinnia and Maelis were gone. He had pushed her to the ground; her long dress dragged, leaving bloodstains as she screamed.
Jackson rushed over, greeted by chaos. The sight enraged them. Howard, arriving moments later, was so enraged he could hardly breathe. Choked with fury, they almost stumbled.
Never expecting Maelis to bother Zinnia again, despite warnings, she took advantage of their distraction and attacked Zinnia once more.
Last time, Maelis forced Zinnia to leave the Lynn family, and Jackson had already given them a harsh lesson. This time, she actually attacked Zinnia. No one dared to look at the horrified and embarrassed faces of the Lynn and Spence families.
“Zinnia. Are you hurt? Let me take a look,” Yannis rushed over, his eyes fixed on her swollen cheek. A dangerous glint flickered in his eyes, barely hiding his fury.
“Yannis…” Zinnia’s eyes welled up the moment she saw him.
Seeing her red-rimmed eyes, Yannis murmured, “I’m here now. I’m so sorry I didn’t come sooner.” He gently embraced her, patting her back soothingly.
Adrian watched them, his lips pressed into a thin line as a bitter ache spread through his chest. He quietly stepped aside and slipped away without a word.
08:18 Sat, 14 Jun