Chapter 188
At the sight of the key, Zinnia’s eyes grew misty. Dangling from it was a white magnolia pendant, handcrafted by Master, their promised tnkan. As long as she saw the magnolia, she knew Master was safe.
Zinnia had been on edge ever since her Master left so suddenly. But now, seeing the magnolia pendant, the knot of worry in her heart finally began to
loosen.
“Master,” Zinnia murmured as she picked up the key, her slender pale fingers gently stroking the white magnolia. Beneath the bey was a folded note with an address. The moment she recognized the familiar handwriting, her eyes slowly welled up with tears.
The note read: (I’m sorry, Zinnia. It was my fault for not thinking things through and making you suffer. This key is for the house I prepared for you, it you’re not happy staying there, just leave.
[Remember, you’ll always have a place to call home with me. And the candies in the glass jar are limited to one per day. Don’t eat more than you should. I promise, before you finish them all, I’ll come back for you.]
Zinnia lifted the glass jar. Inside, there was a dazzling kaleidoscope of colorful candies wrapped in shimmering papers, piled high like a rainbow. A single crystal tear splashed onto the note beneath
Meanwhile, far across the ocean, a pale–faced man clutched his chest as a sharp pain pierced through him. Struck by some agonizing thought, he suddenly doubled over, crimson blood trickling from the corner of his lips. He murmured, “Zinnia.”
Zinnia composed herself. Then she carefully tucked the box into her backpack and folded the neatly creased note into the inner pocket. Her gaze lingered on the Beautiful glass jar as she frowned slightly.
She thought, ‘Master left so many candies, but I can only have one per day, and I’m not even allowed to count how many are left. I don’t know when Master will return, but at least I have something to look forward to.
‘When the last candy is gone, Master will come back. That hope is enough for me.‘ A faint smile played on Zinnia’s lips as she thought, ‘Master will come back for me soon.‘
Zinnia had taken a cab to Lynn residence by herself. Since Sofia and the others thought she was with Maisie, they didn’t bother to arrange a ride to send her back. Now she was figuring out how to get home.
Just then, she heard a voice calling “Zinnia!” Turning around, she saw Maisie leaning out of the car window with a bright smile.
Stranded in this remote villa district, where taxis were scarce and ride–hailing apps were useless, Zinnia never expected to run into Maisie here.
The car soon pulled up in front of her. “Hop in, Zinnia!” Maisie called out cheerfully, swinging the door open with a bright smile.
Zinnia got in the car and said, “Hey, Maisie!”
“Zinnia, I was just about to ask you for some shopping. What luck running into you now. Come on, let’s go have some fun,” Maisie said excitedly. She had been planning to go to Cloud Harbor to hang out with Zinnia,
Zinnia couldn’t help but smile back, catching Maisie’s infectious grin. She asked, “Where are we off to?”
Maisie noticed that Zinnia’s beautiful eyes glistened with tears, so bright and tender that it tugged at her heart. She asked, “Zinnia, why are you crying? Did something happen? Or did someone bully you?”
Zinnia had sensitive skin; even a brief cry would leave her eyelids red. She hadn’t realized her eyes were still puffy. Touching her still–warm eyelids, she lowered her gaze and murmured, “The wind blew some sand into my eyes, so I rubbed them.”
Chapter 189
