Chapter 19
โHere, Zinnia, let me handle that.โ Jackson placed the peeled crab meat on a plate and slid it over to Zinnia.
โThanks,โ Zinnia said, relieved. She hated shelling crabs. She shot him a grateful glance and took the plate.
โWatch it, Zinnia. Iโll have the chef make more when youโre feeling better,โ Jackson warned, only giving her a small amount. He remembered the doctorโs advice about her sensitivity to seafood.
โOkay,โ Zinnia nodded.
โSo Jacksonโs turned into a caretaker now, huh?โ Raymond chuckled, watching them from across the table.
โSheโs his sister. Of course, heโs looking out for her. Zinnia, just tell Jackson if you need anything,โ Sofia butted in before Jackson could reply.
In Sofiaโs eyes, the Shaw kids were flakes. Only Howard had checked inโYosef and Timothy couldnโt be bothered. Sofia always ignored Betty, thinking she was up to no good.
"Zinnia can always come to me,โ Jackson said. Since the Shaws wouldnโt 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.
โWait up,โ Zinnia called to Jackson as he headed upstairs to his study.
โNeed something?โ 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 laterโright now, he wanted to give his full attention to Zinnia.
โThis is for you,โ 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.
โDid you make it?โ Jackson didnโt care about the plain wrapping. He snatched it like it was gold.
โItโsโฆ for sleepless nights. Put it on the night table,โ Zinnia said, shocked heโd taken it without hesitation.
She remembered the last essence oil sheโd made for Timothy. A week later, sheโd found it in the trash. It stungโnot 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.
โThanks, Zinnia. Iโll keep this every night,โ he smiled. โWith your essence oil, Iโll sleep like a baby and make us a fortune. Weโll get you fancy dresses and shiny jewelry.โ
Jackson noticed Zinniaโs eyes flicker with unease. He pressed the bottle to his chest. It didnโt matter if it workedโit was the first gift sheโd 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
โI donโt want those things,โ Zinnia said softly, watching him cherish it. She hadnโt made it for rewardsโheโd 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, sheโd made the essence oil to help him sleep.
Zinnia had braced for rejection, disdain, or his accepting it only to toss it later.
โNonsense.โ Jackson shook his head, feigning seriousness. โWhen I brought you home, I promised to take care of you. Iโll make sure you grow up healthy and happy.โ
Zinnia rushed back to her room. The phone rang immediatelyโan unknown number. She answered right away, afraid that it was from her master. She couldnโt miss a call from him.
Even though she was mad heโd left without a word, Zinnia missed him deeply. She wished heโd come back soonโwherever he was, that was her real home.
โHey! Zinnia Shaw! How dare you block me?โ the voice snapped. โWho said you could run off? You were supposed to rest at the hospital, but look how far youโve gone.โ
It was Howard, who used his teammateโs phone to call Zinnia. Heโd 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, Zinniaโs room was empty. Lucy said sheโd 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 sheโd 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 wasnโt around. Sofia, Henry, and Jackson had chewed them outโit was humiliating. They got kicked out fast. Maelis left in tears, heartbroken.
Back home, Howard couldnโt shake the image of Zinniaโs 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, โThat girlโs got nerve ignoring calls.โ
A teammate noticed his mood. โMaybe she blocked you?โ
Howard stared. Heโd never heard of that. He borrowed his teammateโs phone and dialed Zinniaโit rang. Howardโs face darkened. Sheโd blocked him.
โStop calling. Weโre done.โ Zinniaโs voice was icy when she recognized Howard. She hung up and blocked the number.
Last night, sheโd blocked every Shaw. If they didnโt want her, fineโshe didnโt want them either.
The line went dead. Howardโs face darkened. Sheโd blocked him again.