Chapter 6
โSheโs running a 104ยฐF fever! How did none of you notice? Sheโll damage her brain at this rate. Iโll start an IV first. When her temperature drops, get her some light food,โ the doctor said.
Looking at Zinnia lying on the hospital bed, her face burning red, he let out a quiet sigh. โPoor thing. She came back to a home that felt like anything but family. Why doesnโt the Shaw family care for such a sweet kid?โ
โGot it,โ Howard replied. He glanced at Zinnia, his expression unreadable.
She had passed out right after leaving the hospital, so heโd had to carry her back. He couldnโt believe she hadnโt said a word beforeโwasnโt she afraid of damaging her brain?
His mind spun from the doctorโs words about her fever lasting since last night. The fact that sheโd collapsed just now only showed how tough she was.
Shortly after, the doctor stepped out.
Lucy, who had raced over from the Shaw residence, clutched a cotton swab and a glass of water. She knelt beside the bed and gently dabbed Zinniaโs cracked, dry lips. Her eyes welled up with tearsโwhy did Zinnia have to go through so much?
โHow did Zinnia get this fever?โ Howard asked, fixing Lucy with a hard stare. Now he understood why Zinniaโs hand felt like ice this morning.
Lucy looked down, her voice quiet. โLast night, you guys pulled Ms. Betty Shaw out of the pool, but left Ms. Zinnia Shaw in the water. She canโt swim, and she was shivering all over when we pulled her out.
โI asked if she wanted to go to the hospital, and she refused. I tried to call the family doctor, but she wouldnโt let me. She must have gotten sick from that whole mess.โ
Lucy felt sick remembering how Zinnia had been left in the pool last night, watching her family rush Betty to the hospital without a second glance. She thought the poor girl must have been heartbroken.
Zinnia had stared for what felt like forever until a small smile crossed her face. She wrapped herself in the blanket Lucy had given her and went back to her room alone, refusing to let anyone call a doctor.
Even now, that helpless smile Zinnia hadโhalf sad, half relievedโwas enough to break Lucyโs heart.
โZinnia fell in too?โ Howard looked down at Zinnia in the hospital bed, frozen. Heโd been so focused on saving Betty yesterday that heโd never even realized Zinnia was still there.
The temperature dropped sharply at night, making the pool water freezing cold. Betty had barely been in the water before they pulled her out, and sheโd been shaking uncontrollably. Howardโs stomach twisted thinking about Zinnia stuck in that icy water all that time.
Betty caught a chill and spent two days in the hospital. Zinniaโs condition was clearly worse, yet sheโd stubbornly refused to see a doctor. Howard felt a wave of anger risingโeven if Zinnia wanted to act out, she couldnโt risk her health like this.
โMs. Zinnia Shaw has done so much for this family. When you hurt your leg, she was the one who made the medicine that fixed you up,โ Lucy said, her voice trembling. She couldnโt understand why the Shaw brothers couldnโt see how amazing Zinnia was.
โWhat?โ Howard was too caught up in his irritation with Zinnia to pay attention to Lucy. He only caught something about his leg being hurt.
Lucy was about to say more when a cough came from the hospital bed. โYouโre awake!โ Lucy quickly rushed to Zinniaโs side as she opened her eyes.
โLucy?โ Zinniaโs eyes were foggy, and she called out reflexively at the familiar voice. She felt totally wiped out, and she knew this feeling all too wellโshe had a fever, a really bad one.
Zinnia let out a quiet sigh. She figured if her master found out, heโd be furious, glare at her, and snap, โDidnโt I tell you to take care of yourself? Do I need to babysit you 24/7 to keep you safe and sound?โ
Zinniaโs master had a cool, detached demeanor, yet heโd turn red with anger every time she fell ill.
Just thinking about him made her nose tingle. She pouted and grumbled to herself, โWhat a jerk. Always leaving me behind. When he gets back, Iโm gonna give him a piece of my mind!โ
โIโm here, Ms. Zinnia Shaw.โ Lucy hurried to stand up, her heart ached at Zinniaโs pitiful expression.
Howard felt a pang seeing tears welling in Zinniaโs eyes. โWhy does she look so upset? Like a kid whoโs been totally wronged and has nowhere to turn.โ
โWould you like some water?โ Lucy asked gently, looking down at Zinnia with motherly care.
โYeah,โ Zinnia replied, her voice thick and hoarse.
Before Lucy could move, Howard handed her a cup of warm water with a straw. She paused, glancing at him in surprise.
Howard tilted his chin up, signaling her to hurry. He couldnโt bear seeing Zinniaโs pathetic look.
Lucy then bent down to help Zinnia drink.
Zinnia felt awful. Her eyelids felt like lead, too heavy to open. She didnโt even notice Howard standing there.
โThanks for taking care of me, Lucy. I just need a short nap,โ Zinnia rasped. She took a couple of sips to ease her sore throat before drifting off again.
Without her master around, Zinnia knew sheโd be on her own if she got sick. She had been worried that no one [would] keep an eye on her while she was getting the IV. But now that Lucy was here, Zinnia finally felt secure.
โGet some rest. Iโll be right here,โ Lucy said softly. She felt her heart breakingโhow could the Shaw family be so blind to such a kind soul?
Betty had barely fallen into the water, and the whole family had rushed to her side. Yet Zinnia had been underwater for hours and was now burning up with a 104ยฐF fever, with only Howard bringing her to the hospital.
The more Lucy thought about it, the more upset she became. Tears welled up, and she quickly brushed them away.
Howard stood there, felt like he was invisible. โIโm her family, yet sheโd rather lean on Lucy than ask me for help? Just how little does she trust us?โ
Heโd only seen her acting all tough and never seen this vulnerable side of her. Looking at her pale, weak face, he felt a mix of emotions he couldnโt quite pin down.
โLucy, stay with Zinnia. Iโll go update Mom and Dad upstairs,โ Howard sighed and hurried off.
Everything had happened so fast that he hadnโt had a chance to tell his parents about Zinniaโs fever or that sheโd need to stay in the hospital for a couple of days.
Lucy looked at Howard but kept quiet. She knew he was just giving orders, not looking for adviceโeven though she guessed Zinnia probably didnโt want to see the Shaws.