Come in 26
Posted on July 07, 2025 ยท 0 mins read
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Chapter 26

In the afternoon, Jackson rearranged his schedule right after the meeting so he could pick up Zinnia. He asked, โ€œGrandma, whereโ€™s Zinnia?โ€

โ€œZinniaโ€™s upstairs. Zinnia, Jacksonโ€™s back,โ€ Sofia called out, looking up towards the staircase.

โ€œRight there,โ€ came a muffled reply from above.

In a moment, Zinnia appeared at the top of the stairs. She had changed into something new, and she fidgeted with the hem of her dress, looking a little uneasy. She made her way down the stairs and walked over to Jackson and Sofia.

โ€œOh my, Zinnia, you look absolutely charming. Youโ€™ve definitely got my looks,โ€ Sofia said, her eyes twinkling with pride as she looked at Zinnia, who had put on a pretty outfit.

Zinniaโ€™s long hair was pulled into a loose bun, framing her delicate, makeup-free face. Her round eyes were bright and clear, and her skin was smooth. She wore a white blouse with lace trim and a fitted black skirt that showed off her slender legs.

She looked stunning. Usually, Zinnia dressed in casual clothes at home and rarely wore skirts, so this change was a delightful surprise.

The compliment helped Zinnia relax a bit. She glanced up at Jackson, her eyes cautious but curious.

โ€œZinnia, youโ€™re so beautiful. You should wear more cute dresses. When youโ€™ve had enough of those, Iโ€™ll get you some new ones,โ€ Jackson said with a gentle smile. He gave her head a tender pat, his eyes twinkling with affection.

Zinnia let out a breath she hadnโ€™t realized she was holding. Sheโ€™d been terrified of embarrassing him.

When she first came home, the Shaw family had made her feel like an outsider. Theyโ€™d teased her for being from a small town, saying her old-fashioned clothes made them look foolish.

So when Jackson mentioned taking her out, sheโ€™d rushed to her room after lunch to look up some stylish outfits on her phone. She didnโ€™t care about her own embarrassment, but she didnโ€™t want Jackson to face any because of her.

โ€œOkay.โ€ Zinnia nodded, her face softening into a smile.

โ€œHey, Zinnia, todayโ€™s all about you,โ€ Jackson said with a grin. โ€œYou pick anything you want, and Iโ€™ll handle the rest. And Iโ€™ve got a table booked at that place youโ€™ve been wanting to try.โ€

Jackson led Zinnia to the cityโ€™s biggest mall, the same one where sheโ€™d picked up some herbs last time. But back then, sheโ€™d been on a mission and hadnโ€™t really taken the time to explore.

Zinnia didnโ€™t really need anything, and she knew the prices here would be steep. She didnโ€™t want Jackson to spend a fortune on her. โ€œJackson, Iโ€™m good,โ€ she said softly. โ€œI donโ€™t need anything.โ€

โ€œCome on, Zinnia,โ€ Jackson replied, nudging her gently. โ€œLetโ€™s just have some fun and Iโ€™ll get you whatever you want. Weโ€™ll start with clothes, then hit the bag stores and maybe even the jewelry section. If you like it, weโ€™ll get it.โ€

He paused for a moment and then added, โ€œBesides, when you came back last time, I didnโ€™t even get you a proper welcome gift. Letโ€™s fix that today.โ€ Jackson guided Zinnia toward the elevator, intending to start with a shopping spree for clothes. Before they set off, heโ€™d asked his assistant what girls typically looked for when shopping. Clothes, bags, shoes, and jewelry were the usual suspects.

Since Jackson wasnโ€™t sure what Zinnia liked, he figured theyโ€™d just explore everything and grab whatever caught her eye.

Zinnia followed Jackson through the rows of shops, finally seeing firsthand what real money could do. There were over twenty stores on the floor alone, and Jackson took her through each one. Whenever Zinnia glanced a little longer at something, Jackson had it wrapped up for her.

โ€œJackson, seriously, thatโ€™s enough. This is way too much,โ€ Zinnia protested.

โ€œCome on, thereโ€™s a jewelry store up ahead,โ€ Jackson said, tugging Zinnia along. โ€œLetโ€™s see if thereโ€™s anything you like there.โ€

Zinnia had never worn any jewelry. The pieces they had given her had just sat there, untouched, probably because she didnโ€™t like them.

But now, with him, she could finally pick something she actually wanted. Her family had never really cared about what she liked, but he did.

โ€œAlright, but after that store, weโ€™re done, okay?โ€ Zinnia asked.

โ€œJust take a look,โ€ Jackson said.

But what he thought was another story. โ€˜If she doesnโ€™t find anything, we can always try another place. Or I can have a jewelry catalog sent to their place.

โ€˜But since weโ€™re already here, it makes sense to let her see if thereโ€™s anything in the store that catches her eye.

โ€œOkay,โ€ Zinnia replied, not overthinking it like Jackson was. She just assumed heโ€™d agreed.

Zinnia had seen countless medications in her life, but Jacksonโ€™s no-holds-barred spending was something new. He was buying so much that she figured sheโ€™d need to ask Benedict to send over a few more precious herbs.

Inside the jewelry store, Bettyโ€™s eyes lit up as she spotted a separate display case. Under the glass was a dazzling set of jewelry.

She turned to Timothy beside her and said, โ€œTimothy, look at this. Itโ€™s absolutely gorgeous. Mom would love it. Sheโ€™s been so down lately because Zinnia wonโ€™t come home. Maybe something this beautiful would cheer her up.โ€

โ€œYou always have a knack for picking things Mom would like,โ€ Timothy said, his tone calm. โ€œLetโ€™s get it wrapped.โ€

Timothy, dressed in a crisp white suit with silver glasses perched on his nose, had an air of quiet detachment. He glanced over at Betty, who was still gazing at the jewelry, and then at the display itself. The jewelry was indeed stunning.

The mention of Momโ€™s sadness tugged at Timothyโ€™s patience. โ€˜Whatโ€™s Zinnia thinking, refusing to come home even after Mom has gone to get her? Is she planning to stay with the Lynn family forever?โ€™

Actually, Maelis had been unusually quiet lately, lost in her own thoughts. Timothy had finally found some time to go home today, but Betty had called him, saying Maelis was feeling down. She suggested they go out and buy something to cheer her up.

โ€œTimothy, youโ€™re really painting a pretty picture. I just know my mom; thatโ€™s all,โ€ Betty said with a soft smile, though inside, she felt a growing sense of irritation.

Ever since Maelis had come back from the Shaw residence last time, she seemed offโ€”she wasnโ€™t as attentive or caring as she used to be.

Maelisโ€™s silence made Betty uneasy. Betty suspected that Sofia had said something to her, so she asked Maelis, but Maelis wasnโ€™t as open with her anymore. Betty tried asking Howard too, but he clammed up.

Last time, sheโ€™d wanted to eavesdrop, but Benedict was always on her tail, keeping her away from the living room. She ended up knowing nothing.

This feeling of being in the dark was driving her crazy. Sheโ€™d gotten rid of Zinnia, but it felt like something was slipping out of her control.

She pushed those thoughts aside and softened her voice, slipping back into her role as the perfect daughter. โ€œExcuse me, could you wrap this jewelry set for us? Itโ€™s stunning. My mom is going to love it.โ€

โ€œExcuse me, but this piece was custom-made for Mr. Lynn. Itโ€™s not for sale,โ€ the clerk said with a polite smile.

Chapter 27


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