Chapter 8
โYou canโt be serious, Ms. Zinnia Shaw!โ Lucy exclaimed. โItโs over ten miles downhill, and taxis never come to this gated community. Youโre still feverishโyouโll collapse if you walk.โ
โSheโs got a fever and sheโs trying to take off? Sheโd only been back to the Shaw family for two months. Why leave now? Was she wronged?โ Jackson frowned and turned to look at Zinnia. โWhere are you going? Iโll give you a ride.โ
โNo need.โ Zinnia took the bag from Lucy and walked straight toward the door.
With Jackson there, Lucy couldnโt even make a move to follow Zinnia.
Jackson hadnโt even entered the house before turning around to follow Zinnia.
Lucy watched Jackson chase after Zinnia, feeling both anxious and helpless. Zinnia was clearly done with the Shaw family, and Lucy couldnโt imagine how sheโd handle Jackson, someone sheโd never even met before.
Plus, Jackson was known for being iceโcold, totally shutting down any girl who tried to get close. Not even his own cousin Betty could crack his tough exterior.
Worried, Lucy went to find Lucas to arrange a car for Zinnia. If Jackson didnโt give Zinnia a ride, at least there would be a car to take her home. As Lucy walked, her phone buzzed. She glanced downโit was Howard. She picked up right away.
Zinnia was oblivious to Lucyโs concerns. Jackson kept pestering her, and she was getting seriously irritated. โWhy is this guy following me?โ she thought angrily.
โWhere are you going, Zinnia?โ Jackson called out, watching her short legs move surprisingly fast.
โNone of your business! I donโt know you. Stop following me,โ Zinnia snapped, her tone dripping with annoyance.
Jackson picked up on Zinniaโs annoyance. โDid I do something to tick her off?โ he thought, frowning.
โLucy just told youโIโm your cousin, your momโs older brotherโs son,โ he said, stepping in front of her and holding out his hand. โSince weโve never met, let me introduce myself. Hey, Iโm Jackson Lynn, your cousin.โ
Zinnia stepped around him, her voice emotionless. โThe Shaws mean nothing to me. Youโre no family of mine.โ
โTrouble with the Shaw family?โ Jackson detected the coldness in her voice.
โNot your concern. Get out of my way,โ Zinnia snapped, her usually soft voice turning sharp. She just felt Jackson was as bothersome as the Shaws.
Jackson realized Zinnia really was having issues with the Shaw family. He caught up and grabbed her luggage.
When Zinnia glared at him, he put on a serious face and said, โIf you donโt want to stay with the Shaw family, come back to the Lynn residence with me. I wonโt let you leave alone anyway. Besides, Grandpa and Grandma havenโt met you yet.โ
Jackson thought about scheming Betty. Sheโd been with the Shaw family for years, and he was sure theyโd never let her go. A smallโtown girl like Zinnia didnโt stand a chance against Bettyโs power play.
โStop it. One family wants to send me away, the other wants to take me back. Canโt you two families settle your differences first?โ Zinnia said, furious.
She tried to reclaim her belongings, but Jackson lifted them overhead. She jumped and strained, but couldnโt reach. Already feeling unwell, this teasing pushed her over the edge.
When Zinnia glared up, Jackson froze. Her delicate but pale face caught his eyeโshe did resemble Maelis, but younger and more striking. The fever flushed her cheeks, adding a fragile air that begged protection. She looked like the whole world had wronged her.
Zinnia had kept her head down before, so Jackson never saw her face clearly. Heโd come to her birthday party yesterday but hadnโt even caught a glimpse of her.
His grandparents, Henry and Sofia, grew concerned after hearing about Bettyโs drowning incident. They sent him to check on herโonly to find her trying to leave her family.
Jacksonโs gaze turned cold. โAre they out of their minds?โ he thought. The Shaw family finally found their longโlost daughter, yet instead of compensating her, they were sending her away.
โDonโt want to stay with the Shaws? Thatโs fine.โ Jackson kept his anger in check, his voice gentle. โCome home with me to the Lynn residence.โ
He figured that the Shaws had raised Betty for over a decade and couldnโt cast her aside overnight. The real victim here would be the newcomer without family tiesโZinnia.
โNo. I wonโt return to the Shaws or join your Lynns,โ Zinnia said coldly. โReturn my belongings or Iโll call the police.โ
Jackson was devilishly handsome with chiseled features and soulful eyes. His gentle tone might disarm most people, but Zinnia had grown up with a master whose beauty mirrored celestial beings. Ordinary men couldnโt shake her composure.
โZinnia.โ Jackson crouched down to her eye level. โI promise our family will protect you. Grandma and Grandpa miss you so much. Why donโt you go see them?โ
Zinnia frowned, remembering the kind old couple she met when first arriving at the Shaw residence. Sofia had held her hands, asking if sheโd had a hard time all those years, then slipped an emerald pendant into her palm.
Jackson noticed Zinnia hesitating when Sofia was mentioned. He began, โZinnia, you need to find a place first if you want to move out. Letโs stay at the Lynn residence while you look.
โYou can keep Grandma company. She hasnโt been feeling well lately and keeps talking about you. Why not visit her while taking your time to find the right place?โ
โIโll check on Grandma then leave,โ Zinnia said. Sofia was the first person who showed her kindness in Jinston. When Jackson mentioned Sofiaโs poor health, Zinnia grew worriedโshe treasured everyone who treated her well.
โAlright.โ Jackson nodded. His main goal was to get her home safely, and they could discuss her leaving later. He wouldnโt let a feverish Zinnia wander off alone. If she refused to stay at the Shaw residence, the Lynn family would shelter her.
Zinnia remained silent.
โMy carโs just ahead. Stay close, okay?โ Jackson said, trying to make conversation.
Zinnia followed him silently. She planned to leave right after visiting Sofia.
Jackson sighed quietly at Zinniaโs silence. He wondered how much mistreatment the Shaw family had subjected her to.