Chapter 41
Timothy wanted to question Betty, but she had spent the whole afternoon suffering from diarrhea and, still feeling unwell, had gone to bed early. He never got the chance to ask. With a stomach full of questions, Timothy could only hold himself back.
He thought maybe it was just another misunderstandingโafter all, he didnโt believe Betty would lie. When heโd asked her before about the source of the herbs, Betty had told him sheโd gone to great lengths to consult a renowned doctor. Since sheโd supposedly gone through so much trouble, Timothy felt he shouldnโt doubt her. He tried to convince himself there must be some kind of mix-up.
โWhy would she ask you to keep it from me?โ he asked hoarsely, looking at Lucy.
If the chamomile tea really came from Zinnia, Timothy couldnโt understand why sheโd ask Lucy to hide that from him. He couldnโt make sense of why Zinnia would want to be kind to him at all.
To him, Zinnia seemed pettyโwhenever she saw them treating Betty well, sheโd always give them the cold shoulder the next day. He couldnโt understand why she would help him and even ask Lucy to keep it a secret. He simply didnโt believe Zinnia could be that kindhearted.
โZinnia said you hated her. If you knew it was from her, you wouldnโt have drunk the chamomile tea,โ Lucy sighed. โMr. Shaw, Zinnia has the kindest heart. Why canโt any of you see that?โ
Lucy truly couldnโt understand. Zinnia was such a gentle, kind girl, but the Shaw family could never recognize that.
Timothy said nothing in response. He sat quietly on the sofa, his head throbbing painfully. In his mind, Zinniaโs calm, watery eyes surfaced again. It felt like she had already given up on their family.
In the end, Timothy didnโt even know how he made it through the night. His headache seemed worse than it had ever been.
In a daze, he thought he saw Zinniaโs face. She stood in the distance, her head slightly tilted, as if mocking him for not treasuring herโand disappointed that he never saw clearly who was truly good to him.
Timothyโs face grew paler. He really didnโt know how he managed to endure that dreadful night.
The next morning, Betty had school. Remembering what Lucy had said the night before, Timothy, despite his bloodshot eyes and overwhelming fatigue, still decided to drive her there.
He knewโZinnia would definitely be at school too.
Drawing back from his thoughts, Timothy looked at Zinnia, lips slightly pressed together.
He had come here hoping to ask her the truth, to talk things out properlyโbut now it was clear Zinnia had no intention of speaking with him.
He didnโt want to believe that the insomnia which had plagued him for so long had been cured by the very person he dislikedโZinnia.
But once he accepted that truth, a wave of guilt surged through Timothyโs chest. He didnโt understand how things between them had gotten to this point.
Even if Zinnia had a difficult personality, as family, they should have been more tolerant. When those misunderstandings had happened, they should have investigated the truth first. If they had, maybe things wouldnโt have become so strained between them and Zinnia.
Timothy realized that he had become the kind of person he despisedโthe kind who let illusions cloud their judgment.
โZinniaโฆโ he murmured unconsciously, loosening his grip on Bettyโs hand and hoarsely calling out to her.
Zinnia stared coldly at him without replying.
Timothy felt a pang in his chest. Seeing her nestled in Jacksonโs protective arms, her eyes glaring at them like a little hedgehog with its spikes raisedโthis was the first time heโd ever seen her angry.
She hated them. He could read it clearly in her eyes.
Timothy lowered his gaze, hands clenched tightly at his sides.
โZinnia, Iโll come pick you up for lunch at noon,โ Isaac said. โIโm just two floors above you, so wait downstairs when your class is over. Iโll come get you right away.โ
Isaac escorted Zinnia to the International Class classroom. A few students were already there.
โIsaac? What are you doing here? Havenโt seen you all summerโand your hair looks even cooler now,โ a boy greeted them.
The moment Isaac and Zinnia appeared outside the classroom, someone noticed him. Isaac was one of Evershine Highโs most popular figuresโwell-off, high-achieving, and friendly with everyone.
Most of the students in the International Class came from wealthy families, so naturally some of them knew Isaac. This boy, named Ethan Bacon, was spinning a basketball in his hand as he bounded down the stairs three steps at a time.
โI came to drop off my cousin,โ Isaac nodded at him.
โYour cousin? Betty? But I thought you didnโt like her? And she doesnโt even take classes here,โ Ethan said, puzzled.
โWho said I came to drop off Betty? Come meet Zinnia.โ Isaac frowned at the mention of Betty and shot Ethan a glare, then turned to introduce Zinnia.
โZinnia? You mean the new girl in our class?โ Ethan glanced at Zinnia, eyes lighting up with surprise. He hadnโt expected the new student to be this pretty.
โZinnia, this is my friend, Ethan Bacon. If you need any help, just go to him,โ Isaac added gently.
โHi, Zinnia,โ Ethan straightened up and greeted her politely.
โHello.โ Zinnia nodded back, her voice soft and sweet. Even though she didnโt want to be at school, she didnโt want to make enemies either.
โZinnia, your voice is really nice,โ Ethan murmured, ears turning red.
Zinnia was wearing a light blue dress todayโfresh and delicate in color. Her hair was braided into a loose side plait draped over one shoulder, revealing a bright, pretty little face.
Her eyes were clear and bright. Just looking into them, oneโs restless heart seemed to settle.
With her teddy bear backpack and quiet, well-behaved demeanor, she stood there like a little bear cubโinnocent and pureโstirring an instinctive desire to protect her.
โEthan, help me look after Zinnia. Call me if anything happens,โ Isaac instructed, nodding at him.
โDonโt worry, Isaac. With me around, no one will bully Zinnia!โ Ethan promised solemnly, reaching out to hold Zinniaโs hand.
โDonโt touch her. Youโre not that close,โ Isaac frowned.
โOkay.โ Caught off guard by Isaacโs jealousy, Ethan blinked in surprise and quickly let go of her hand.
โIsaac! What are you doing here? Ms. Sharp is looking all over for you upstairs. Come on!โ Suddenly, another boy ran down from upstairs, calling out to Isaac.
โWait a second.โ Isaac still wanted to escort Zinnia to her classroom and give her a few more reminders.
โIsaac, Ms. Sharp says itโs urgent!โ the boy urged, looking anxious.
โIsaac, you should go. I can find the classroom myself.โ Zinnia tugged gently at Isaacโs sleeve, signaling him to go, and reached for her backpack.
โIsaac, go ahead. Iโll take Zinnia to her seat,โ Ethan offered from the side.