Chapter 164
Yannis thought with frustration, ‘We’ve known each other for so long, and I’ve cooked for her every single day, always trying to make her happy. But when something happens, she doesn’t even think about calling me.
‘She just tried to leave without a word. She answered Jackson’s call, but not mine.
He reached out and took Zinnia’s hand, trying to lead her back, but she stood rooted to the spot.
Seeing Zinnia standing there, head bowed, her petite and fragile frame all alone, he felt his anger inexplicably soften. He suppressed his frustration and spoke as gently as he could.
He said, “Zinnia, do you know how worried Jackson is about you? The moment he found out the Shaws were bullying you, he called me in a panic, begging me to stop you. He’s rushing back to see you and have a good talk.”
Yannis was just getting ready to leave the office when Jackson called. Toby had asked why he had been heading out so early lately, and he’d replied, “Got a kid waiting at home, gotta make dinner.”
But right after he said that, Jackson’s call came in. The moment Yannis found out what had happened, he fumed. He thought, ‘The Shaw family is absolutely beyond shameless. I’ve lived for over twenty years and never seen a family so brazen.’
Yannis snatched his car keys and practically floored it back to the scene, pushing right against the speed limit. He was worried sick that something might happen to Zinnia, Neither Yannis nor Jackson had expected the Shaws to stoop so low.
“If I go back, the Shaws will just keep harassing Jackson,” Zinnia murmured, her voice tinged with helplessness.
Zinnia had no idea how to deal with Jackson. She thought, ‘He always treats me so well, but that is only because I used to be his cousin.
‘Now that I have cut ties with the Shaw family, how am I supposed to interact with Jackson now?‘
Zinnia was never good at handling relationships. The Shaws were the only exception. From the very moment the Shaw family hurt her, Zinnia resolved never to forgive them.
She had long been planning how to cut ties with them, which was why she could strike back so decisively today.
But when it came to Jackson and others from the Lynn family, Zinnia didn’t know what to do about them. They had always been so kind to her.
She was grateful for their kindness, but she just didn’t know how to handle any of it. She felt so confused.
She thought, ‘Maybe leaving is the best option. If I left, the Shaws wouldn’t go and make trouble for the Lynns anymore.‘
Yannis said, “Do you think Jackson fears the Shaws making trouble for him? Zinnia, Jackson only cares about you, not the Shaws.
“If he can’t manage his relationship with the Shaws, he doesn’t deserve to be your brother. What truly terrifies him is the thought of you leaving.”
Yannis let out a helpless sigh and thought, ‘Zinnia always puts everyone else first and never thinks about herself. No wonder Jackson worries about her. The Shaw family is nothing, yet she still lets them get to her.
‘She should be enjoying her youth, not dealing with a whole family of troublemakers.‘
Zinnia was silent for a moment as she tried to process Yannis’s words. Her mind was in turmoil, like a jumbled mess.
Yannis gently took her hand and led her to his apartment. As soon as they walked in, Yannis poured a glass of milk for Zinnia. “Here, have some milk,” he said softly.
Zinnia looked up at Yannis. She shared the thoughts she had sorted out along the way. She said, “But I’m no longer part of the Shaw family. Technically. that means I shouldn’t have any ties to the Lynns either.
Chapter 164
“And since you’re Jackson’s friend, shouldn’t we have nothing to do with each other now?”
She’d only gotten involved with the Lynns because of the Shaws, and only with Yannis because of Jackson.
Now that she had nothing to do with the Shaws, technically, she figured she wouldn’t have anything to do with Yannis and Jackson anymore either. That was just how Zinnia saw it.
AD
