The Real Heiress's New Family Adored By All novel Chapter 11

Chapter 11 Pity on Us and Stay With Us

“Zora, you stay right here with us. Nobody’s gonna hurt you. Not ever.”

Zora followed Opal downstairs. Floyd and the others were already waiting at the table.

Finished

They hadn’t had the heart to eat while Zora was still asleep, so they had waited to have dinner with her.

“Zora, you feeling any better? Tell Kian if something hurts,” Floyd asked quickly, his voice full of care.

“Grandpa.” Her voice was still hoarse, but much stronger than that morning.

“Zora, sit here.” Jensen stood up and pulled out the chair between him and his brother.

He could tell Kian cared about their new cousin too.

Their parents were traveling, so it had just been the two brothers and their grandparents-until now.

“Fine, let her sit with her cousins.” Opal had been about to pull Zora next to her, but Jensen was faster.

Zora didn’t care where she sat. She sat quietly between them, her face cool and distant-only softening a little when she looked at Floyd and Opal.

“Zora, I didn’t know what you liked, so I asked the cook to make light dishes. You’re still sick. When you’re better, I’ll take you out for something nice. Just tell me what you want, and I’ll have them make it,” Jensen spoke gently.

Zora had only been back with the Knox family for a short time, and Jensen had no idea what she liked to

eat.

He’d asked Wendy about her favorite foods earlier, but she couldn’t answer. None of the Knoxs could.

They didn’t even know what she liked to eat.

The spread was light but nourishing: roasted chicken, garlic shrimp, steamed veggies, herb potatoes, spinach salad, and chicken noodle soup.

“Okay,” Zora murmured.

Food didn’t matter much to her. Nothing tasted as good as her mentor’s cooking. She only ate to keep going.

Jensen sighed at her coldness. They’d just met, she was hurt, and her walls were up.

“Shrimp’s good for you. Have some.”

Kian noticed her glance at the shrimp. He wiped his hands, peeled one, and set it on her plate.

Zora stared at the shrimp, then looked up at Kian: His eyes were soft, and he gave her a small smile.

She looked down, saying nothing.

“Zora, you’re sick-eat up so you get better fast.” Opal piled food onto her plate.

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14:46 Mon, May 25 M

Chapter 11 Pity on Us and Stay With Us

“Thank you, Grandma.”

Finished

“Zora, you’ve been through so much. Your mom’s messed up, but I’ve got you. Stay here as long as you want. Go back only when you’re ready.”

Opal’s heart ached at how quiet and sweet Zora was. How could the Knoxs be so blind?

“Grandma, I’m not going back. He said you were sick, so I came to check. I’m leaving soon.” Zora nodded toward Jensen.

“Oh, Zora… I really am unwell. Everything aches. I’m getting old. I don’t know how much longer I’ll get to see you. Please stay with me, okay?”

Opal immediately laid it on thick, clutching her chest and moaning.

As she spoke, her other hand pinched Floyd under the table.

After decades of marriage, he got it at once. He pinched his own thigh, eyes glistening.

“Zora, your grandma’s right. We’re old. We could go any day. Please have some pity on us two old geezers and stay with us.”

Zora stared silently, seeing right through their clumsy acting.

She’d learned medicine from her mentor-enough to see they were faking.

At the same time, she turned and gave Jensen a cold, sharp look.

Liar.

Grandma is perfectly healthy. She isn’t sick at all.

Jensen flinched under her icy stare, suddenly guilty.

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14:46 Mon, May 25 M

The Real Heiress s New Family Adored by All