Chapter 53
Zinnia turned around. Seeing the patch of crushed plants beneath Howardโs feet, she was angry.
Hearing her words, Howard instinctively lifted his foot to move away, but in doing so, he ended up trampling another patch.
Zinniaโs eyes burned with anger as she grabbed his arm and yanked him out of the field.
Howard glanced at the flattened plants. He opened his mouth, trying to explain, โโฆ โ
โWhatโs your deal?โ Zinnia asked. She raised her eyes, her cold gaze piercing through him.
Seeing how upset Zinnia was, Howard chose to admit his mistake honestly. He said, โI didnโt mean to. What are these? Iโll replace them for you.โ
Howard had never set foot in a field before, let alone recognized herbs. Now, standing in the herb garden, his once-pristine sneakers were smeared with mud, a stark contrast to his usual spotless appearance.
โThereโs no need. Why are you following me around?โ Zinnia asked.
Howard had no idea why he followed Zinnia. She ignored him completely, but somehow, he couldnโt stop himself. When she left the living room earlier, heโd instinctively followed her.
Heโd never been ignored like this before, yet he found himself oddly fine with it.
โIf you have nothing to say, please leave,โ Zinnia said, her expression indifferent as she noticed his silence.
โI doโฆโ Howard blurted out instinctively.
โI donโt care what you have to say,โ Zinnia cut him off, turning to head back into the herb field.
Howard reached out and grabbed her hand. This time, his grip was light, barely encircling her wrist. Feeling how thin and frail it was, he frowned. He thought, โWhy is she so skinny? It is as if she has no flesh on her at all.
โShe is back home now, no longer living in the town. The family has such good food. How could she still look like she hasnโt gained any weight?โ He asked, โWhatโs going on? Youโre so thin. Itโs like you havenโt been eating properly.โ
โLet go,โ Zinnia said. Her expression darkened at his touch.
โZinnia, I have something to say to you. If I let go, you definitely wonโt listen,โ Howard said, his grip firm but not forceful, as if trying to restrain himself while still holding onto her.
โLet go, and Iโll hear you out,โ Zinnia snapped, her face darkening as she tried to pull her hand free.
Howard finally let go. He didnโt know Zinnia well, but he understood one thingโwhen she said something, she meant it.
โIf youโve got something to say, say it. If not, get lost,โ Zinnia said.
Howard frowned and said, โWho talks like that? Itโs so rude.โ
โNo one taught me. I grew up in a town without parents. This is just how I talk. If you donโt like it, stay away from me. If you donโt see me, you wonโt have to hear it,โ Zinnia replied.
Zinnia had left the Shaw family, so she didnโt care about Howardโs feelings.
Howard ignored her words. He said, โAbout the pool incidentโฆโ His tone faltered as if unsure how to continue.
Zinnia remained silent, her calm and restrained gaze darkening slightly.
Howardโs chest tightened as he stared into her calm, distant eyesโeyes that no longer reflected him. His hand curled into a fist.
Earlier that day, while training at the club, Howard received a video from Jackson. He had just finished a lap and was wiping his sweat when a teammate handed him his phone.
Noticing the message from Jackson, Howard clicked on it immediately. The video caught his attention at first glance. Zinniaโs figure stirred a vague sense of guilt within him.
Zinnia was, after all, a daughter of the family. Yet there she sat, all alone. No matter the reason, the sight tugged at Howardโs heartstrings.
As the video continued, Howard felt his chest tighten further. When he saw Zinniaโs desolate gaze fixed on him and Betty as they walked away while Zinnia, wrapped in a blanket, trudged step by step away from the pool, he struggled to breathe.
Back then, Howard hadnโt paid attention to Zinnia. Zinnia had been submerged underwater while Betty floated on the surface, calling for help. Howard saw Betty and immediately dove in to pull her out.
He hadnโt even thought to look underwater. If he had, he wouldโve gone in to save Zinnia too before taking Betty away.
The Shaws hadnโt considered that Betty had fallen into the pool on her own. Because of Zinniaโs past behavior, they had instinctively assumed she was behind it again.
But the truth hit them hard, leaving no room for excuses. Their assumptions had hurt Zinnia deeply. And to make matters worse, Howard had been harsh with Zinnia afterward. Even when she had a fever, he dragged her to the hospital without a second thought.
All these incidents piled up, suffocating Howard with guilt. After changing his clothes, he rushed to the Lynn residence, only to realize Zinnia was at school and not home. He cursed himself for being so foolish.
When Howard finally waited for Zinnia to return, he saw her smiling sweetly at Isaac. A surge of anger that Howard couldnโt quite understand rose within him.
Snapping back to reality, Howard said again, โIโm sorry.โ
Zinniaโs lashes were trembling faintly, but she remained silent.
Howard continued, โIโm sorry I didnโt notice you in the pool last time. I thought it was just Betty. I misunderstood you, Zinnia, and Iโm sorry. And for grabbing your wrist so harshly before, I was out of line. Iโm sorry.โ
Having started apologizing, the words seemed to flow more easily now. Thinking about his past actions, a wave of guilt surged within Howard.
He thought, โWe are family. How can I treat her so cruelly? Why couldnโt I have been more patient with her?โ
โI donโt need it,โ Zinnia finally spoke, her voice calm and steady. She met his remorseful gaze and continued, โWhatโs the point of apologizing now? Itโs already happened. I donโt care anymore.โ
Howard said, โZinni, I know Iโve been awful to you. Iโm sorry. Please, just give me one chance to make things right, okay? Iโm your brother.โ
Zinniaโs detached response made Howardโs face pale. He felt as though she was slipping away from him. Desperation overtook him.