CHAPTER 30— BITTERSWEET


    Quinn adjusted her clothes as she stepped outside, Zayd behind her. Her steps were slow, almost


    sneaky as she walked her way to the dining table where Derrick already sat.


    He looked towards her. “You guys have finallye out.” He chuckled. “Come sit you two…Kathrine is


    almost through with setting the table.”


    Quinn nodded, reluctantly sitting down, and Zayd sat beside her, tapping the table as he looked at her


    father. “Did you inquire about what happened yesterday? I mean about the poison.”


    “Not yet, I have however thrown out the left-over fruits and vegetables in the fridge.”


    “I do not believe those are the cause, if they were, you guys would’ve been poisoned too since you also


    eat them. It has to be something that was specifically given to Quinn.”


    “Yes, I agree…but there is nothing wrong with being cautious.”


    Quinn sighed, looking down at the table as she spoke. “Didn’t I tell you guys to leave this alone? I don’t


    want to cause any problems.”


    “What problems? If we don’t find out who did this, they’ll do it again.”


    “I don’t care…leave it alone!” Quinn looked up when Kathrine walked in with a tray of empty tes in


    hand. “It’s better off this way.”


    Her voice was low, almost inaudible as she watched as her mother ced a te along with silverware


    in front of both Zayd and Derrick, then at her seat…leaving only Quinn without.


    That familiar feeling of lugubriousness ran like bolts of electricity through her. It seems yesterday she


    had just been lucky…for today, her mother had gone back to her malicious ways.


    Fumbling her fingers beneath the table, she looked away, feeling like she wasn’t at all apart of this


    family…until she heard her name falling calmly from her mother’s lips. “Quinn…”


    Her head twisted around so fast that it hurt, her eyes immediately pinpointing her mother. Her red hair


    was shorter than Quinn’s, but taller than Delh’s, and she was smiling; awkwardly. “Yesterday I…I


    didn’t get to visit you, but I heard about what happened. Do you feel better now?”


    Quinn nodded reluctantly, too surprised to speak.


    “Let me see…” She slowly extended a hand, cing her palm against Quinn’s forehead. “I’ve made


    breakfast, I know you don’t especially like porridge, but it helps with speedy recoveries…so I’ve made


    some separately for you, or perhaps you’d prefer if I made you some soup?”


    “No…” Quinn’s heart was beating fast, she did not know how to react sensibly. “I…I’ll drink it…the p-


    porridge I mean.”


    Kathrine smiled, pulling her hand away. “It’s hot, I’ll bring it.”


    And then she walked back into the kitchen.


    Quinn felt like she was floating on clouds, there was joy hovering over her head and over her heart.


    The corners of her lips were twitching as she tried to suppress the giddy smile that wanted to spread


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    across her lips. She looked at her father, finding that he too was looking at her.


    He chuckled, probably knowing how she felt wholeheartedly, and it was then Kathrine walked back in,


    cing a bowl of porridge on a tray in front of her.


    Quinn looked at her mother’s retreating form and even watched as she served Zayd and Derrick


    breads and eggs and bacon. She wanted some of that too, but although she hated porridge, this one


    was special and somehow even more appetizing than what they were having.


    Her mother finally sat in her seat beside Derrick at the table, and it was then that Quinn picked up her


    spoon, looking down at the semi-solid food before her. She filled the silverware, cooling the food before


    it entered her mouth.


    It tasted as bad as it always did, and yet Quinn continued to eat, only stopping when Zayd grabbed


    onto her free hand. “Isn’t it hot? At least slow down, Quinn.”


    “It’s fine…I’m fine.”


    “Are you sure?”


    This time it was Kathrine who spoke, and Quinn looked towards her smiling face. There was joy


    hovering over her heart, but it was also clouded by sadness.


    After all, the poison was bitter, but it was also sweet.


    “Yes, I’m trying to finish it as quick as possible. I don’t want to bete for my beta duties.”


    “Ah that…” Derrick started. “I forgot to tell you…but Jeo sent his regards. He’d heard about your


    hospitalization and has given you some time off to recover.”


    “But I am fully recovered.”


    “Even so, use the time to rest…after everything, you deserve it.”


    Quinn nodded. “Alright…I’ll rest for today.”


    “Good.”


    |-_-|


    When Quinn was finished eating, she’d showered and brushed her teeth, bidding farewell to Zayd who


    promised he’d go take a quick shower in his room and return since he had no clothes or bathroom


    essentials here.


    While he was gone, Quinnid in her room with a headache she was trying her best to ignore. She


    knew why her head was aching, she knew why her belly felt strange…but she did not care.


    The smiles her mother gave her ~even if they were fake~ canceled out all her fears. She didn’t care


    what happened to her…after all, the poison was bitter, but it was also sweet.


    |-_-| /-_-\ |-_-|