Chapter 221

Chapter 221

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That first night at the Lynn residence, Zinnia slept deeply. There was no rattling air conditioner or creeping drafts-just perfect stillness. When she finally stirred the next morning, sunlight told her it was nearly ten before she wandered downstairs.

Downstairs, Sofia was trimming her potted plants while Henry lounged in his favorite chair, sipping tea and peering at the newspaper through his reading glasses.

“Zinnia, you’re awake.” Sofia turned at the sound of footsteps, her face lighting up.

Zinnia looked much better today, her fresh-faced sweetness making them want to hug her.

Henry folded his paper with a rustle. “Benedict, tell the chef to prepare breakfast for Zinnia,” he called out, grinning at her.

“Right away.” Benedict acknowledged before disappearing toward the kitchen.

“Good morning, Grandma, Grandpa,” Zinnia greeted them.

Sofia’s gaze lingered on Zinnia’s faded outfit-the yellowed white tee and frayed jeans. “Didn’t Jackson leave clothes for you, dear?”

“He did,” Zinnia replied, though she wasn’t sure why Sofia had asked. Her mind drifted to the walk-in closet full of beautiful dresses-lovely things she’d never imagined could be meant

for her.

Instead, she still wore the clothes her master had given her. Though pilled and worn, they had always been enough for her.

Her master would wear the same threadbare clothes for years, yet never failed to buy her new seasonal outfits. The contrast wasn’t lost on Zinnia.

“Don’t you like the clothes Jackson picked for you, dear?” Sofia asked gently. “Let me take you shopping-we can even have selections brought to the house for you to choose.”

Misreading Zinnia’s hesitation as dissatisfaction, Sofia resolved to refresh her granddaughter’s wardrobe.

her head. “I brought enough

money she had went

you,” Sofia insisted, her heart aching at Zinnia’s hesitation. She couldn’t believe her

face dimmed slightly. The Shaws’ neglect

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Chapter 221

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girl should have beautiful clothes.” She made a mental note to have strong words with her daughter later-this

Zinnia upstairs to the walk-in closet bursting with designer

protested, uneasy about accepting such generosity. Debts of kindness, she knew, were the

voice held gentle firmness. “Zinnia, you’re our princess now, and princesses deserve proper clothes. Sit-I’ll choose

Sofia recognized Zinnia’s discomfort and sighed quietly.

Sofia steered her toward the walk-in closet, selecting a butter- yellow sundress. “Try this, darling,” she urged, smoothing the fabric. “It’ll be

*****

approached Sofia again, her canvas bag in hand. “Grandma, I need to pick up some things

“What do you need? I’ll have

both inconvenient and expensive. Besides,

and buy yourself something nice,” Sofia said, pressing a

money,” Zinnia protested with a small

before he went away-enough to cover what

made to Tareston. Someone there had agreed

was simple-run errands and find

insisted, closing Zinnia’s fingers around the card, “Grandma’s money is different. Let me spoil

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much from her daughter’s family when it

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