Chapter 22
Noises drifted upstairs, Zinnia preked down and fore–Maris, Betty, and Howard wore there. Without a word, she turned and headed straight in her room, refusing to talk
“Zemia, you’re up” netly called when the spotted Zinnia on the landing. The living room fill ent
“Zinnia!” Maelis said, pausing mid chat with Solia. She looked up, excited. “Zinniai” She jumped up, voice trembling
It’d been two days. Maelis wanted to know if Zinnia was feeling okay. Maclis’s mind raced–how was the sleeping? Was her room cozy enough?
Zinnia froze halfway down the stairs. She stared at Maelis’s enger lace, expression bland, and said nothing.
“Zinnia.” Sofia sighed, seeing Zinnia’s icy glare. The tilt was real Mselis had pushed Zinnia wway, and mending it wouldn’t be easy.
Sofia glanced at Betty, sitting calinly beside Marlin. Her face was unreadable.
Noticing Sofia’s look, Betty smiled politely, as perfect as over.
Sofia looked away. Zinnia couldn’t match Betty’s guile. Even with her mood swings, Betty was too sly. But Maelis was clueless, always siding with Betty.
Sofia didn’t want to imagine the fallout if Malis ever saw the truth and Zinnia cut her off completely. She wanted to warn Malis, but Maelis’s mixed signals–praising Zinnia yet sticking with Betty–gave her a headache.
“Zinnia! Mom’s calling. Get down here,” Howard suddenly shouted, standing up.
“Howard!” Sofia frowned. “Don’t talk to her like that.”
“Grandma.…..”
“Howard trailed oft
Zinnia came downstairs, “Grandma,” she said fiatly, eyes cold as she scanned the others, then ignored them entirely.
“Come sit by me, Zinnia,” Sofia said, tapping the cushion next to her.
Zinnia sat right down. She only came downstairs because Sofia called her
“Zinnia…” Maelis watched Zinnia walk by without a look. She felt her throat tight. They hadn’t talked much since that day.
“Did you sleep okay?” Sofia asked, holding Zinnia’s hand and avoiding Maelis’s sad eyes.
“Yeah,” Zinnia said, her voice soft–way different from how she talked to the Shaws
“Good sleep’s important. I just want you to eat, rest, and be happy,” Sofia said, her eyes all loving
Nearby, Betty’s hands balled into fists, staring at Zinnia’s fancy new dress. ‘Why?‘ she thought bitterly. After all these years trying to impress that old lady, she still ignores me. Told me to stay away from here.
“If it weren’t for Mom, I wouldn’t even see her. Why does she dote on Zinnia after just a few meetings? Betty felt extremely jealous..
She couldn’t get why Sofia hated her for a decade /She’d always been quiet and polite at the Lynn residence, unlike the other kids.
‘That old biddy never had a nice thing to say to me, no matter how much i hustled. Whether I was being all polite or trying to show I really cared. Belc Zinnia got back, she’d at least give me the time of day.
‘But now? She acts like I’m not even in the room like I’m her mortal enemy or something, Betty complained inwardly.
Betty had tried for years to please Sofia, but not a single kind look. She’d thought Solla preferred boys. But now, seeing how Sofia adored Zinnia, Bel know that gender didn’t matter. Sofia indeed adored and cherished Zinnia.
“Tuerakun
Chapter 22
Betty could barely visit the Lynn residence, let alone stay. While Zinnia pot in live them, casseted by Sofia’s love.
Betty’s smile was slipping. She seethed, thinking, “Why? Just because we’re not blood? I’ve called her “Grandma” for twelve years.
showed up, she has been stealing what should be mine. No way am Hetting my guard down around her!
“How’s it at Grandma’s, Zinbla De you miss home? Marlis’s voice trembled. “About before. I’m sorry I shouldn’t have doubted you, I should’ve tried you. Will you forgive me?”
Maelis stood outside, frozen, watching Sofia chat with Zinnia. Her heart hunt. She gently took Zinnia’s hand and aid softly, “Sweetheart” Her voice cracked, like thin ice breaking
Zinnia frowned at the soft, warm hand holding hers. It made her uneasy. She pulled away and moved her hand off Sofar’s lap
“Zinnia?” Maelis felt like her heart was being eaten by emptiness. Her own daughter wouldn’t even hold her hand. She’d really hurt Zinnia.
Betty forced herself to apologize. “Zinnia, we messed up before, but we get it now. We were wrong. Please don’t be mad Let’s go home. Mom, Dad, and your brothers all miss you. This is my fault, not theirs. Fl keep saying sorry. Just don’t blame them, okay?”
Betty’s smile froze as she saw Maelis reach for Zinnia.
“Zinnia,” Howard said, frowning “Mom and Betty already said sorry. What more do you want? That talk about sending you away was a joke. We never meant it. Don’t be so silly.”
Shooting a glance at Betty, Sofia frowned deeply. She got Betty’s implication–she had implied that Zinnia was stubborn, “Betty Jackson sent new flowers to the garden. Go pick some for your mom. She likes them.”
“We can do the flowers later, Mom, Maclis said urgently. “We’re talking to Zinnia now”
“Benedict, take Betty to pick flowers,” Sofia said, ignoring Maelis
“Betty, please,” Benedict said with a polite smile, motioning for her to follow.
