Chapter 7
Chapter 7 Leaving the Knox Family
“Miss Knox, you’re awake p>
Finished
Holden had left to fetch Wayne and the others, but he never came back. Zora woke after half an hour, restless and weak.
She opened her eyes to Mae’s worried face.
“Mae, I want to go home p>
Zora was eager to pack and leave. She couldn’t stay at the Knox Villa any longer.
“Miss Knox, the doctor said you need to stay two more days p>
Mae helped her sit up, frowning.
“I can recover just fine at home, Mae p>
Zora pressed her pale lips together.
“Mr. Holden Knox said he’d bring Mrs. Knox to see you p>
Mae gently stroked her thin back, heart aching.
“Mae, let’s just go. They won’t come.” Zora looked at her with watery eyes, her voice rough.
She held no hope for the Knox family. With Jolie around, they would never visit.
Better to leave before they show up. She didn’t want to fight.
Their choice was made.
They didn’t want her.
And she didn’t need them.
“… Alright. We’ll go p>
Mae glanced at the empty doorway.
Half an hour had passed, and not one person had come-even though they were just one floor above.
Holden had broken his word. Zora was already too disappointed.
Zora’s IV was nearly finished. A nurse removed the needle, and Mae helped her out of the hospital.
They took a taxi straight back to the Knox Villa.
Inside, Mae helped Zora to the living room. Once she could stand on her own, Mae stayed downstairs to ask the cook to make something light.
Zora went up to her room. The air conditioner was still broken-freezing cold, like an ice cave.
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Chapter 7 Leaving the Knox Family
She didn’t linger. She opened a small bamboo wicker suitcase in the corner, stuffed in her phone charger, then pulled small wooden and ceramic jars from her drawers. She kept a few out and packed the rest.
No fuss, no delay. She grabbed the suitcase and headed downstairs.
Mae was just coming up with a bowl of oatmeal.
“Zora, where are you going p>
Mae stared at her suitcase. The girl still had a fever-flushed face, moving fast.
“Mae, I’m leaving. This is for you and Tom. You get migraines-take one dose a day, and in six months they’ll be gone.
“Tom’s leg aches when it rains. Tell him to apply this ointment every night to ease the pain. Once I’m settled, I’ll have him come over and I’ll give him acupuncture.
“John can’t sleep at night. This sachet is for him-tell him to put it under his pillow p>
Zora handed over a white ceramic bottle, a wooden jar, and a small cloth sachet.
Mae, Tom, and John had been the only kind ones here. They were the only ones she’d miss.
Tom brought her pretty flowers from the garden to cheer her up. John always secretly saved breakfast for her. Mae was always fussing over her and quietly speaking well of her to Wendy.
They felt more like family than her own blood.
Zora had planned to leave quietly and text them later.
But Mae had worried too much to stay in the kitchen-and caught her leaving.
“Zora, you’re not coming back p>
Tears stung Mae’s eyes.
“No. They don’t love me, so I won’t love them either. Better I leave on my own than wait to be kicked out p>
Zora shook her head.
She had no desire to be a nuisance in the Knox family.
This wasn’t Maplewood. No mentor, no neighbors, no one who understood her.
“Then please drink your oatmeal first. You haven’t eaten all morning. You’re sick-you’ll collapse if you don’t
eat p>
Mae’s heart shattered. She understood now that the Knoxs were sending Zora away.
“Okay p>
Zora handed the bottles and the sachet into Mae’s arms, set down her suitcase, and took the oatmeal from Mae.
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Chapter 7 Leaving the Knox Family
The oatmeal was a little hot, so Zora carried the bowl to the dining table and sat to eat it.
“Zora, I’ll get you some things p>
Mae couldn’t let Zora leave like this, so she wanted to give her some things.
“Mae, please don’t trouble yourself. I don’t want anything from the Knox family p>
Zora shook her head firmly. She didn’t want a single thing from them.
She was only packing her own belongings.
“It’s not from them. I knitted you two sweaters. Cold weather is coming. Please don’t refuse p>
With that, Mae hurried to her room to pack.
Mae had always loved Zora. She’d cured Mae’s migraines, helped Tom’s leg, and made John a sleep sachet.
She couldn’t understand why no one else saw how good Zora was.
Zora tried to protest, but it was too late.
She stirred her oatmeal, cooling it down.
She hadn’t eaten since the night before. The small sandwich that morning hadn’t been enough. Between the fever and stress, she’d collapse without food.
She forced herself to finish the bowl to maintain the physical strength she needed.
Mae returned with a bag and rushed to ask Tom to arrange a car.
Just as she reached the door, someone walked in.
“Mr. Jensen Marlow p>
Zora followed, saw the man, and looked away coldly. She didn’t greet him.
“Mr. Marlow, the family isn’t home right now p>
Mae stepped in front of Zora protectively.
“Are you Zora p>
Jensen Marlow looked at Zora, then at her suitcase, frowning.
Is she running away from home?
“Mr. Marlow, this is Miss Zora Knox.
“Zora, this is your cousin Jensen Marlow, your oldest cousin p>
Mae hurried to introduce them, afraid Zora would upset him.
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Chapter 7 Leaving the Knox Family
“Mae, don’t get a car. I can leave on my own p>
Zora didn’t look at Jensen. She spoke only to Mae.
If Jolie found out Mae had helped her, she would make trouble for them.
20
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14:46 Mon, May 25 MA
The Real Heiress’s New Family Adored by All
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