CHAPTER 47: CHAPTER 47: SEE CLEARLY WHO YOUR HUSBAND IS

"It’s okay. This was self-defense, not murder! Our Zinnia did a great job. She was brave and she protected herself. That guy had it coming!"

Winston leaned in to hug Zinnia, and as he comforted her, she gradually calmed down.

A female officer approached. "She still needs an injury assessment. She wasn’t cooperating earlier."

Winston patted Zinnia’s head. "Don’t be afraid. Fifth Brother will stay with you the whole time."

With reddened eyes, Zinnia nodded. "I can do it."

Winston released her, stood, and took off his trench coat, draping it over her shoulders before helping her to her feet.

Zinnia tried to walk on her own, but her legs gave out.

Winston wrapped an arm around her. "Let’s go."

His phone rang, and just as he was about to answer, Zinnia abruptly grabbed his arm. She gripped him tightly, and Winston looked at her in surprise.

Zinnia’s pale face was etched with tension and urgency, her voice hoarse and trembling. "Fifth Brother! Don’t tell Third Brother!"

Winston froze, then, as a memory surfaced, he gritted his teeth. "You’re about to fall to pieces, and you’re still worried about someone else. Zinnia, you’re such an idiot!"

Zinnia just held onto him. "Don’t tell him."

Winston sighed in resignation. Patting her hand soothingly, he turned his phone screen toward her. "See? It’s not Third Brother’s call; it’s the lawyer I hired for you. Don’t worry. If you don’t want him to know, Fifth Brother will definitely keep it a secret for you."

Only after seeing that the call was not from Jenson Forrest did Zinnia release her grip and follow the female officer to get the assessment.

Winston spoke with the lawyer, his gaze fixed on her slender back, his feelings a complicated mix. He knew why Zinnia had contacted him tonight instead of Jenson.

Ten years ago, Zinnia had gone through something similar.

The twelve-year-old girl had been nearly molested by a staff member at her dance studio. When she got home, she didn’t dare say a word, hiding alone in the bathroom to cry in helpless silence. It was Jenson who eventually noticed something was wrong and forced the truth out of her. He immediately grabbed a golf club, rushed out, and nearly beat the man to death in public.

The incident caused a massive scandal. If Jenson hadn’t been a month shy of being a legal adult, even the Forrest Family’s immense power might not have been enough to suppress it. It was also that incident that made it known throughout Veridia’s high society that the Forrest Family had a Cecilia Lawrence. She was the precious sister of the Third Young Master Forrest, someone no one dared to touch.

Zinnia was worried about history repeating itself, which was why she was so desperate for Jenson not to find out.

By the time Zinnia finished her injury assessment, the lawyer had already handled everything and completed the bail process.

Winston took her directly from the police station, leaving his sports car behind and joining her in the lawyer’s car so he could better look after her.

In the back seat, he took out an alcohol wipe to clean Zinnia’s hands.

"Winston, I’m fine. I can do it myself," Zinnia said, taking the wet wipe from him.

Winston didn’t insist, holding the tissue box for her as he clicked his tongue. "So it’s ’Fifth Brother’ when you need something, and ’Winston’ when you don’t? Zinnia, you really are pragmatic."

He raised his hand and deliberately ruffled her hair into a bird’s nest.

Zinnia winced and flinched. "Ouch."

"Is your head hurt? We’re going to the hospital!"

"No, I’m fine! I just want to go home! Fifth Brother, please take me home," Zinnia insisted, shaking her head. She didn’t want to go anywhere else.

When they arrived at Sovereign Court, Winston got out first, then walked around to open her door and help her out. As Zinnia stepped out of the car, a wave of dizziness washed over her, and her body swayed. She’d been hit on the head by Kane Donovan earlier, so Winston immediately bent down and scooped her into his arms.

He had only taken two steps when a pair of headlights cut through the darkness, blindingly bright as they illuminated the two of them.

Winston stopped, squinting into the glare.

A Bentley pulled to a halt. The door opened, and Jenson Forrest emerged, his long legs carrying him toward them.

As Zinnia looked at the tall figure, her eyes instantly grew hot. Her first instinct was to reach for him, but the memory of his phone call—the one that had severed her last thread of hope—made her heart freeze over.

She turned her head away, clutching Winston’s collar and urging, "Winston, carry me inside."

Winston nodded at Jenson. "Third Brother, Zinnia’s a little hurt. I’ll take her in first."

He started to move, but Jenson had already closed the distance, stepping forward to block his path. The man’s expression was placid, but his eyes, shrouded by the night, were as dark and deep as a treacherous sea.

"Zinnia? She is your sister-in-law!" he said, his voice deep as he reached out to take her.

Almost instinctively, Zinnia ducked her head, hiding against Winston’s chest. She didn’t want to face Jenson right now. Seeing him only reminded her that he had been with Crystal Sutton during her most helpless moment.

Her evasive action caused Jenson’s handsome face to turn glacial. His voice was laced with fire. "Zinnia, see clearly who your husband is!"

He forcibly pulled Zinnia from Winston’s arms. Worried she might get hurt again, Winston let go.

He frowned and said to Jenson, "Third Brother, your wife ran into some danger tonight. She..."

He wanted to explain that Zinnia had run into a mugger and gotten slightly injured. But Zinnia thought Winston was about to tell Jenson the whole truth and began to struggle in his arms.

"Winston! He doesn’t have time to listen to my problems! He’s very busy! Don’t say another word. My business has nothing to do with him!"

Hearing the cold, dismissive tone she used to draw a line between them, Jenson let out a derisive chuckle. "Very well!"

The man released his grip. Zinnia tumbled from his arms, nearly collapsing onto the ground in a heap. She swayed, only kept upright by Winston’s steadying hand. Leaning on him, Zinnia felt dizzy and nauseous.

Jenson had already turned and walked away, leaving her behind as he went inside.

Zinnia watched his cold back, her vision blurring.

"Zinnia, what’s going on with you and Third Brother? I really think you should tell him. This is a huge deal. If you don’t tell him and he finds out later, he’s going to be furious..."

Zinnia looked up. "If Fifth Brother helps me, he won’t find out!"

Her eyes were pleading, but Winston continued trying to persuade her. "Third Brother is no longer a reckless seventeen-year-old. He won’t be as impulsive as he was back then. It’s okay to tell him..."

Tears began to fall from Zinnia’s eyes. "Fifth Brother, are you refusing to help me?"

When Kane Donovan had pinned her against the wall, one thought cut through her terror. I absolutely cannot let him succeed. My brother would go insane. He would definitely avenge me, just like that year, staining his hands with blood. That’s why I have to protect myself. I have to be the one to deal with Kane Donovan. That was her line of thinking, and she hadn’t held back in the slightest. In that moment, Jenson was her armor, making her fearless.

But now, as the image of Jenson’s cold, departing back flashed before her eyes, she felt she was being ridiculous. When I was in trouble, he was with Crystal Sutton. The seventeen-year-old Jenson would have risked his life for his sister. But now that he has Crystal, would he still do that? Probably not. Perhaps all these worries and fears are just me being delusional. Jenson was already so angry about me working as a mermaid. If he finds out about this, I don’t think I can bear his cold words again. Besides, we’re getting a divorce anyway. If he found out and did something, I don’t want to owe him even more. And if he did nothing... would that mean I’ve lost my brother too? I’m afraid to face that possibility. It’s better if he doesn’t know. Just let this whole thing blow over.

"Alright, alright, have it your way. Why are you crying? It makes it look like your Fifth Brother is bullying you."

As her tears fell uncontrollably, Winston completely surrendered. He gently wiped them away, and Zinnia managed a watery smile.

From the hallway, Jenson stopped and turned his head, just in time to see the scene unfold.

The image was like a dagger to his eyes, searing and sharp.

Jenson’s fists clenched, and he abruptly strode back toward them.