Come in 25
Posted on July 07, 2025 ยท 0 mins read
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Chapter 25

After dinner, Zinnia slipped upstairs to make pills. Sofia was full of energy now, but constant anger wasnโ€™t good for anyone. Zinnia decided to whip up more pills for Sofia.

โ€œJacksonโ€ฆโ€ Zinnia murmured, her gaze fixed on Jackson as he climbed the stairs beside her. She bit her lip gently and called out.

โ€œHuh?โ€ Jackson turned, surprise and joy lighting up his eyes.

Zinnia hadnโ€™t talked to Jackson much since arriving days ago. Now, hearing Zinnia call his name, he was over the moon. Suddenly, he wanted to tackle that stack of paperwork upstairs. That one word made him feel unstoppable.

โ€œWhyโ€™d you give me this toy?โ€ Zinnia asked, clutching the stuffed animal. Sheโ€™d hardly let it go since she got it.

โ€œYou gave me the essence oil, so I wanted to give you something too,โ€ Jackson said, chuckling softly. He was a bit thrown by her question. Then he added, โ€œPlus, when I saw the toy at the store, I immediately thought youโ€™d love it.โ€

He wasnโ€™t great with girls, but his friends said they loved cute stuff. Zinnia was a girl, so he figured sheโ€™d like it.

โ€œI love it. Thanks, Jackson,โ€ Zinnia said, hugging the toy tighter. A warm feeling spread through her. Jackson bought the toy just because she loved it.

โ€œDonโ€™t mention it,โ€ Jackson said softly. He really wanted to touch her hair. So, he gently messed up her silky locks. โ€œRemember, I promised to look after you?โ€

Her hair was so soft. Jackson felt a fierce urge to protect her. โ€œYouโ€™re safe with me,โ€ he said firmly. โ€œNo oneโ€™s gonna hurt you again.โ€

Zinnia looked up when she felt his hand on her hair but didnโ€™t pull away.

โ€œGoodnight, Zinnia,โ€ Jackson said, a smirk hidden in his smile as he left. Zinnia was finally dropping her guard.

โ€œYou should rest too,โ€ Zinnia murmured. They went their separate ways. Jackson headed upstairs to work.

Zinnia went to her room and paced, deciding where to put the toy. The bed might squash it, and the couch was too far. She wanted it close.

After a few laps around the room, she placed it on the night tableโ€“close enough to touch and see.

She tested the spot by lying down and reaching out. Satisfied, she left the toy there, smiling at her new bedside friend.

Her round eyes glowed with warmth, all the coldness gone. For the first time in years, Zinnia felt real happinessโ€“unexpected kindness and a small gift to cherish.

Zinnia took a breath to steady herself, then arranged the toy. She pulled her suitcase from under the bed, grabbed a box, and took it to the balcony. She then focused on making pills.

Over the next couple of days, Zinnia hung out calmly at the Lynn residence. School started tomorrow, so after waking up, she headed to the balcony to check on her pills. Once she confirmed theyโ€™d been fine, she popped them into a bottle.

She carried the bottle downstairs. Sofia hadnโ€™t gone to her usual ladiesโ€™ lunch today. She greeted Sofia. โ€œGrandma.โ€

โ€œThereโ€™s my girl! Come sit with me,โ€ Sofia said. She was watching TV.

โ€œSure,โ€ Zinnia said, sitting next to her.

โ€œWhatโ€™s up, sweetie?โ€ Sofia asked, smiling warmly.

Zinnia had gotten closer to Sofia. โ€œI made these pills for you,โ€ she said, handing over the bottle.

โ€œYou made these for me?โ€ Sofia asked, her face lighting up. She took the plain bottle gently.

Sofia had heard Jackson bragging about Zinnia making him a bottle of essence oil for sleep. Though sheโ€™d acted like it was no big deal, sheโ€™d mentioned her own sleep issues to Zinniaโ€”just in case.

The next day, Zinnia gave Sofia and Henry two bottles of essence oil. They were over the moon. They put the bottles on the night table and slept betterโ€“better than any sleep meds.

โ€œYou should check with a doctor, though,โ€ Zinnia said softly.

โ€œNah! I trust you,โ€ Sofia said, clutching the bottle. โ€œSo, how many pills a day? Before or after meals?โ€

Raymond had approved Zinniaโ€™s medical skills. He still grumbled about not getting her as an apprentice.

Sofia was proud. Zinnia was the sweetestโ€“show her a little kindness, and sheโ€™d pay it back big time.

โ€œOnce a weekโ€™s fine,โ€ Zinnia said, smiling, her cheeks dimpling. โ€œBefore or after mealsโ€“doesnโ€™t matter. Youโ€™re healthy now, Grandma. No need for daily pills.โ€ It felt good to be trusted.

โ€œZinnia, school starts tomorrow. Jacksonโ€™s gonna take you shopping after his lunch meeting,โ€ Sofia said, putting the bottle away. She was repeating what Jackson had said that morning.

A few days had passed, and school had started. The Shaws had come by once and then vanished. Sofia told them to make up their minds, but they couldnโ€™t. Sheโ€™d given up on them. If they didnโ€™t want Zinnia, the Lynns would take her.

โ€œOkay,โ€ Zinnia said, a small smile playing on her lips as she thought of Jackson. For the past two mornings, heโ€™d sent her two toys. She nodded, still smiling.


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