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    Betty forced a smile. “It’s okay, Mom. I’ll go help.” She knew Sofia wanted her gone. But she didn’t dare upset her; Sofia clearly didn’t like her.


    She gave Zinnia onest re-it was all her fault-and let Benedict lead her out. Now, just four people were left in the living room.


    “Grandma, why’d you send Betty away?” Howard asked after Benedict and Betty left. He saw Sofia’s n but didn’t want a fight since he knew Sofia was not in a good mood now.


    They were at the Lynn residence. Here, Sofia called the shots.


    “Howard! Is this how you talk to Zinnia at home?” Sofia’s face darkened. She t-out ignored his question.


    “Grandma…” Howard’s voice fizzled. He fumbled for words. <fnf21e> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? find?novel</fnf21e>


    “I don’t care how you treat Betty. But Zinnia’s your sister. Same womb, same blood. You shout at her, belittle her? Is that how siblings act? Do you treat her like this always?” Sofia’s voice


    rose.


    “I…” Howard’s lips moved, but silence followed.


    “And your brothers? Do they treat her like this too?” Sofia’s eyes-usually soft-zed with disappointment.


    Howard’s mind raced. He wanted to lie, but Sofia’s steady gaze pinned him.


    “Fine. Do you even know how your sons treat Zinnia?” Sofia’s anger red. She nced at Maelis, who was sitting mute nearby.


    “Mom… I don’t,” Maelis admitted. Her boys were always “busy,” and rarely home. Visits revolved around Betty. She’d barely seen them interact with Zinnia.


    Her gaze sharpened on Howard. “Is this how you always talk to her?”


    Howard couldn’t meet Maelis’s eyes. Or Sofia’s.


    “Have you all lost your minds? Zinnia’s your family-your daughter, your sister! How?” Sofia’s fury boiled.


    She furned at Maelis’ ignorance and Howard’s avoidance. She had nned to mediate, but now she would like to kick them out. Zinnia had every reason to stay away from them.


    “Mom, calm down. We’ll handle it.” Maclis rushed to soothe Sofia.


    “Grandma…” Howard’s voice cracked with worry.


    11:09 Wed, 17 Sept O


    “Don’t stress, Grandma. It’s okay.” Zinnia patted Sofia’s back.


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    “Idiots. How’d I raise such clueless kids? My fault. But I’ve got your back,” Sofia gripped Zinnia’s hand. She made up her mind-Zinnia would stay with her forever.


    Maclis and Howard winced under the scolding. They didn’t think they’d done that wrong.


    “I’m fine, Grandma. Don’t fret.” Zinnia’s chest warmed. In Jinston, no one had defended her


    like this.


    “I’m not mad, sweetheart. I’m gotta stay strong-who’ll protect you otherwise?” Sofia stroked Zinnia’s hand, breathing slower.


    Sofia couldn’t let her health slip-Zinnia needed her. Maelis was clueless; Sofia’s grandkids were worse. They weren’t snapping out of it anytime soon. Sofia had to stay tough for Zinnia, who’d been through enough.


    “Mom! Zinnia’s my kid. You think I’d hurt her?” Maelis’s voice wobbled. Sofia made their house sound like a horror show.


    “Not you-but that Betty you’re blind to!” Sofia snapped, fed up. “That girl’s got more tricks than a street hustler.”


    “Mom, this isn’t about Betty. She apologized.” Maelis defended Betty instantly.


    “If not her fault, why’d you try shipping Zinnia off? Maelis, Zinnia’s your kid. You carried her for nine months. Your mess-up caused this. She’s suffered because of you.


    “Now that we’ve got her back, love your daughter-Zinnia!” Sofia was done with Maelis’s stubbornness. It was frustrating.


    “Grandma, don’t stress,” Zinnia said, genuinely worried. Honestly, she barely cared about the Shaws anymore. Sofia mattered more.


    I’m good, kid. This old hen’s still got fight.” Sofia patted Zinnia’s hand. “Today, I’m schooling your thick-headed mom.”


    Since childhood, Maelis was doted on by her parents, gliding through life effortlessly. She wed Donald, who kept indulging her. Even in middle age, shielded from life’s woes, she still struggled to tell right from wrong.


    Betty was trouble. With her around, Maclis and the others stood no chance with Zinnia.


    “Mom…” Maelis hesitated. She wanted to say Betty wasn’t the issue, but Sofia’s re shut her <ol><li></li></ol>


    She dared not argue; Sofia’s health was too fragile. Seeing Zinnia tend to Sofia with care, Maelis noticed a strange change-the attentive Zinnia bore no resemnce to her former


    11:09 Wed, 17 Sept.


    aloof self.


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    “Grandma, we get it. We’re sorry. Let’s take Zinnia home,” Howard said. Zinnia just shrugged. Her indifference hit him hard.


    11:09 Wed, 17 Sept DO