Chapter 73
“Yeah, I like staying with Grandma,” Zinnia replied with a blank face.
Zinnia’s aloof demeanor left Maelis at a loss. She asked a few simple questions, but the conversation quickly stalled. In the past, it was always Maelis who tried to keep the dialogue going, while Zinnia would only respond with short answers.
Zinnia was nothing like Betty, who knew how to lift Maelis‘ spirits with her cheerful chatter. Zinnia, with her cold and distant nature, felt like a stranger Maelis didn’t know how to approach.
She wanted to show she cared, but she didn’t know how.
Besides, Zinnia and Betty were constantly at odds. Maelis felt a deep sense of guilt toward Zinnia, but her heart also ached for Betty, who often ended up hurt in these conflicts.
She couldn’t understand why Zinnia couldn’t accept Betty. The mix–up all those years ago wasn’t anyone’s fault. It was just a cruel twist of fate. Neither of them was to blame.
Both were her daughters–the only difference was that one she had raised since birth, and the other was the one she had just gotten back. Seeing them fight and struggle to get along tore Maelis apart.
“Zinnia, I’m sorry for what happened between you and Betty last time. I misunderstood you. Can you forgive me?” Maelis held Zinnia’s hand and stared at her with tearful eyes.
Sofia heard Maelis‘ sincere apology and finally felt a bit relieved. She thought at least Maelis wasn’t entirely clueless.
“I forgive you,” Zinnia replied. She pulled her hand away because Maelis‘ touch made her uncomfortable. She even tucked it behind her back, showing
evident resistance.
“Really?” Maelis‘ face lit up with surprise. She hadn’t expected Zinnia to forgive her so quickly. Overwhelmed with joy, she didn’t even notice her
reluctance.
She thought, ‘I know you’re a kind girl, Zinnia. Thank you for forgiving me.’
Timothy, watching them, widened his eyes in disbelief. His gaze fixed on Zinnia, filled with confusion.
He thought, ‘How could she easily say forgive her, yet treat me with nothing but thorns, refusing to even speak to me?‘
“Yeah,” Zinnia nodded faintly. She hadn’t taken Maelis‘ or Betty’s words to heart at all. She didn’t care about them anymore, so whether she forgave them or not didn’t matter.
She figured if forgiving them meant they would finally leave her alone, she would be more than willing to do it.
Only Sofia felt speechless by how dumb Maelis was.
She thought, ‘Did Maelis really think Zinnia’s forgiveness was genuine? Couldn’t she see that she was just humoring her? Zinnia had already let go of any attachment to her as a mother.”
“Zinnia, you might have to stay with your grandma for a few more days, and I’ll pick you up soon,” Maelis said, her face lighting up with excitement. She seemed completely oblivious to Sofia’s pained expression.
Maelis had noticed Donald’s reluctance to let Zinnia return home last night. She knew he was still upset, so she planned to spend the next couple of days soothing him before bringing Zinnia back.
Zinnia stayed silent. Ever since she had chosen to leave the Shaw family, the idea of going back had never once crossed her mind.
“Are you bringing Zinnia back to the Shaw residence? Then what about Betty?” Sofia stared at Maelis seriously, her question cutting straight to the heart
of the matter.
1/2
13:06 Fri, 6 Jun 1
Chapter 73
Maelis hesitated. “Mom, what happened last time was just a misunderstanding. Betty didn’t mean any harm, and everything’s been cleared up now. Once Zinnia is back home, I’ll make sure to guide her properly.
“They’re close in age, and Betty has always been easygoing. I’m sure the two of them can get along just fine.” Maelis glanced at Zinnia as if hoping for her
agreement.
