Chapter 19

“Here, Zinnia, let me handle that.” Jackson placed the peeled crab meat on a plate and slid it over to Zinnia.

“Thanks,” Zinnia said, relieved. She hated shelling crabs. She shot him a grateful glance and took the plate.

“Watch it, Zinnia. I’ll have the chef make more when you’re feeling better,” Jackson warned, only giving her a small amount. He remembered the doctor’s advice about her sensitivity to seafood.

“Okay,” Zinnia nodded.

“So Jackson’s turned into a caretaker now, huh?” Raymond chuckled, watching them from across the table.

“She’s his sister. Of course, he’s looking out for her. Zinnia, just tell Jackson if you need anything,” Sofia butted in before Jackson could reply.

In Sofia’s eyes, the Shaw kids were flakes. Only Howard had checked in—Yosef and Timothy couldn’t be bothered. Sofia always ignored Betty, thinking she was up to no good.

"Zinnia can always come to me,” Jackson said. Since the Shaws wouldn’t take care of Zinnia, his family sure as hell would.

Raymond picked up on the tension and decided not to push it.

After dinner, Henry and Sofia went for a walk while it was still light out.

“Wait up,” Zinnia called to Jackson as he headed upstairs to his study.

“Need something?” Jackson stopped. He was about to dive into a big international meeting, but when he heard Zinnia calling out to him, his whole mood changed. He figured he could deal with it later–right now, he wanted to give his full attention to Zinnia.

“This is for you,” Zinnia said, biting her lip as she pulled an essence oil bottle from her dress. Her fingers fidgeted with the bottle, afraid he would toss it like garbage.

“Did you make it?” Jackson didn’t care about the plain wrapping. He snatched it like it was gold.

“It’s… for sleepless nights. Put it on the night table,” Zinnia said, shocked he’d taken it without hesitation.

She remembered the last essence oil she’d made for Timothy. A week later, she’d found it in the trash. It stung–not her pride, but the hours of making, now buried under banana peels and takeout boxes.

Now, seeing Jackson clutch the bottle like it was a treasure, a crack in her heart started to heal.

“Thanks, Zinnia. I’ll keep this every night,” he smiled. “With your essence oil, I’ll sleep like a baby and make us a fortune. We’ll get you fancy dresses and shiny jewelry.”

Jackson noticed Zinnia’s eyes flicker with unease. He pressed the bottle to his chest. It didn’t matter if it worked–it was the first gift she’d ever made him. That made it priceless.

His work was killing him. Jackson often crashed into bed after and had to wake up at dawn, relying on sleeping pills more than

“I don’t want those things,” Zinnia said softly, watching him cherish it. She hadn’t made it for rewards–he’d just been kind, and she wanted to return the favor.

He brought her to the Lynn residence, found her doctors, decorated her room, and even shelled shrimp and crab. With nothing else to give, she’d made the essence oil to help him sleep.

Zinnia had braced for rejection, disdain, or his accepting it only to toss it later.

“Nonsense.” Jackson shook his head, feigning seriousness. “When I brought you home, I promised to take care of you. I’ll make sure you grow up healthy and happy.”

Zinnia rushed back to her room. The phone rang immediately—an unknown number. She answered right away, afraid that it was from her master. She couldn’t miss a call from him.

Even though she was mad he’d left without a word, Zinnia missed him deeply. She wished he’d come back soon–wherever he was, that was her real home.

“Hey! Zinnia Shaw! How dare you block me?” the voice snapped. “Who said you could run off? You were supposed to rest at the hospital, but look how far you’ve gone.”

It was Howard, who used his teammate’s phone to call Zinnia. He’d tried telling their parents Zinnia was sick yesterday, but Betty suddenly complained of a headache. So, they ended up running tests on Betty instead.

By the time they got downstairs after the tests, Zinnia’s room was empty. Lucy said she’d been discharged.

They rushed to get Betty out too, but the paperwork dragged on. By the time they got home, Zinnia was gone. Lucy said she’d left with Jackson.

It was almost noon when they got back. They figured Zinnia was safe with Jackson, so they ate lunch before heading to the Lynn residence.

But when they got there, Zinnia wasn’t around. Sofia, Henry, and Jackson had chewed them out–it was humiliating. They got kicked out fast. Maelis left in tears, heartbroken.

Back home, Howard couldn’t shake the image of Zinnia’s pale face. He had tried calling her, but her phone was off.

Since Jackson said she was sick, Howard figured she was too weak to answer. He tried again that night, but her phone was dead.

At practice today, he tried calling again but got no answer. He seethed, “That girl’s got nerve ignoring calls.”

A teammate noticed his mood. “Maybe she blocked you?”

Howard stared. He’d never heard of that. He borrowed his teammate’s phone and dialed Zinnia–it rang. Howard’s face darkened. She’d blocked him.

“Stop calling. We’re done.” Zinnia’s voice was icy when she recognized Howard. She hung up and blocked the number.

Last night, she’d blocked every Shaw. If they didn’t want her, fine–she didn’t want them either.

The line went dead. Howard’s face darkened. She’d blocked him again.