Chapter 73

“Let’s check out your room. See if it feels right to you,” Jackson said as they walked in. The room’s design was an exact replica of her old one at the Lynn residence. Every detail, even Zinnia’s smallest habits, had been carefully considered and recreated. Jackson wanted her to feel that this was just as much her home. Moving out of the Lynn residence didn’t mean she was losing her sense of belonging.

“Thank you, Jackson,” Zinnia suddenly reached out and tugged at his sleeve. Her warm, clear eyes were filled with genuine gratitude. She truly, deeply appreciated him. Aside from her Master, it had been a long time since anyone had cared for her so attentively.

“As long as you need me, Zinnia, I’ll always be here,” Jackson said, bending down slightly to meet her gaze.

Later, they returned to the Lynn residence so Zinnia could pack up some of her belongings. Most of her things, like clothes and accessories, had already been replaced by Jackson. He had even gone out of his way to buy her new outfits, bags, and shoes. Their visit to the Lynn residence was mainly to gather a few personal items that Zinnia wanted to keep.

“Zinnia, there’s a package for you,” Benedict said as they returned.

“Thank you, Benedict,” Zinnia replied, taking the package. Thinking it was the herbs she’d asked Chandler to send, Zinnia carried the box to her room, sat cross-legged on the floor, and opened it. Inside was a white porcelain bottle and a folded note.

The moment she saw the familiar handwriting, her eyes turned red, and tears threatened to spill. She clutched the note tightly, her fingers tracing the elegant strokes.

The note read: “[Zinnia, have you been ignoring my words again? Crying secretly, aren’t you? I didn’t abandon you. I just have some things to take care of and can’t be with you right now.]”

Reading the first line, Zinnia felt her throat tighten, and tears welled up in her eyes, blurring the words.

“[Zinnia, the card I slipped into your backpack has money I saved for you. The medicine in the porcelain bottle is for an old gentleman. You can trust them. If you ever need help, you can also reach out to them.]

[Zinnia, don’t try to find me or feel sad. You’ve grown up into a wonderful young lady. I believe you can take care of yourself and won’t make me worry. When the time is right, I’ll come back for you.]”

The handwriting was elegant and flowing, each stroke guiding a sense of refinement and grace. Just looking at it, Zinnia could picture her master–a man as gentle and noble as jade. She ran her fingers over the note, feeling the weight of every word. Tears fell silently, one after another, soaking the paper. Hugging the box tightly, she rested her head against it, her sobs muffled but unrelenting.

“Bad Master,” she whispered, clutching the box even tighter. “Two months and finally, you send me this.”

She had no way to contact him. His old number was disconnected, and she didn’t even know when he had left. He had burned calming incense for her, ensuring she wouldn’t wake up to see him go. Though anger simmered in her heart, it was quickly overtaken by the warmth of his words. “Master must have his reasons,” she thought, her mind clinging to the promise he made. "He said he’d come back for me!"

A small smile tugged at her lips as hope flickered in her chest. She wiped away her tears, her resolve firming. She thought, “Master hasn’t abandoned me. He’ll come back. He wouldn’t lie to me. I just have to wait!” If anyone else had left her, she might have turned her back on them. But when it came to her master, she could only find excuses for him. After all, he was the one who had raised her, cooked her meals, and comforted her when she was upset. Her Master was the best person in the world. He must have had no choice but to leave her.

“Zinnia, you must come back often to keep me company, okay? This will always be your home,” Sofia said warmly.

After spending the night at the Lynn residence, the family took advantage of the weekend to help Zinnia move her belongings to her new place. They wrapped up the day with a cozy family dinner before preparing to head back. As the evening grew late, Sofia held Zinnia’s hand tightly, her reluctance to part evident in her lingering touch.

“Don’t worry, Sofia. I’ll visit whenever I have a break,” Zinnia replied sweetly, her tone full of reassurance.

“Jackson, why’d you put Zinnia so far away? And what if something happens while she’s living here alone?” Isaac complained, his tone a mix of frustration and concern as he shot Jackson a disapproving look. He had assumed Jackson would arrange for Zinnia to live in the same neighborhood as him, making it easy for them to stay close. Now, he felt utterly betrayed by Jackson’s decision.

“Your place is too cramped, and honestly, living near you would be riskier. You’re always gaming with your friends–what if Zinnia picks up your bad habits?” Jackson teased, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. “As for safety, you can relax. This neighborhood is much more secure than living near you,” he added confidently.

Initially, Jackson had considered placing Zinnia in Isaac’s neighborhood. But when this area became available, it was the perfect choice–spacious, secure, and far from the Shaw family’s reach. Ultimately, he chose this location to shield Zinnia from the Shaw family’s interference.

If the Shaws decided to act unreasonably, Yannis, with his razor-sharp tongue, would be the perfect deterrent. Of course, Jackson hoped they wouldn’t cause trouble in the first place. Jackson knew Maisie too well–indecisive and hesitant, always dragging her feet when it mattered most. He doubted Maisie truly took Zinnia’s decision to stay away from the Shaw family seriously. It wouldn’t be surprising if she showed up unannounced to disrupt Zinnia’s peace. Jackson thought Maisie mustn’t take Zinnia’s words seriously.

And then there was Howard, who had been visiting the Lynn family frequently, Jackson couldn’t help but suspect intentions. A surge of protectiveness rose within Jackson. Zinnia was part of their family, and there was no way he’d let the Shaw family take her away. With Zinnia in her senior year, her studies came first–no distractions allowed. Jackson had convinced himself that this was the best arrangement.

“Jackson, Yannis lives here too, right?” Charlie asked, his tone curious.

While Isaac didn’t quite grasp Jackson’s reasoning, Charlie immediately understood. Charlie and Yannis were both twenty-three years old, though Lynn’s reserved nature made Yannis closer to Jackson. Yannis, at twenty-three, was only four years younger than Jackson.

“Yeah,” Jackson confirmed.

“Yannis lives here? Then that’s perfect. Zinnia, if anything happens, don’t hesitate to go. Don’t be shy,” Sofia said. Her worries eased upon hearing Yannis’s name. Knowing Yannis was nearby, Sofia finally relaxed. That boy could be trusted.