Come in 158
Posted on July 08, 2025 ยท 0 mins read
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Chapter 158

โ€œSheโ€™s my one and only darling. Everyone was fighting over her, and I barely managed to win her. If you donโ€™t bring her back, Iโ€™ll die of heartbreak!โ€ Yannis replied with a playful grin, his eyes sparkling mischievously.

Hearing Yannisโ€™s lazy words, Zinnia felt her cheeks warm. She thought, โ€˜Maisie and the others call her that all the time. But when it comes from Yannis, it feelsโ€ฆhot. Does he talk to everyone like this?โ€™

โ€œWhat are you looking at?โ€ Yannis asked, sensing something familiar in Zinniaโ€™s eyes.

โ€œSmirking like a little devil, with all those sweet words. How many girls have you charm-talked like this?โ€ Zinnia muttered.

Yannis said, โ€œHey, canโ€™t I even smile? Zinnia, donโ€™t get me wrongโ€”youโ€™re the only one Iโ€™ve ever called โ€˜darlingโ€™!โ€

โ€˜Wow, this girl is getting bolder every day,โ€™ Yannis thought, feeling wronged.

Zinnia mumbled, โ€œWho knows? Maybe youโ€™ve called other girls that before.โ€

Yannis turned to Jackson. โ€œIโ€™m a good guy. I barely ever talked to girls before.โ€ Seeing her doubtful look, he sought backup.

Zinnia looked at Jackson and said, โ€œJackson is a real gentleman. Not like you, always spouting sweet words.โ€

Jackson said, โ€œZinnia, donโ€™t believe a word Yannis says. When he was abroad, he was a total heartthrob. With that face, he was irresistible. Crowds of fans, both guys and girls, would gather outside his apartment every day.โ€

Jackson noticed their banter, feeling a strange mix of emotions.

โ€œLiar,โ€ Zinnia said, stepping away from Yannis and toward Jackson. She gave Yannis a sly look, enjoying his stunned expression.

โ€œAh, itโ€™s so unfair! You two are ganging up on poor little me,โ€ Yannis said.

After just one month, Yannis had been called a โ€œlittle devil,โ€ โ€œhoney-tongued,โ€ and โ€œliar.โ€ Groaning inside, he swallowed his frustration. He thought, โ€˜Can you really blame me? My dad cut off my allowance, so I had to rent a shabby place with no security. Even with a mask, people still stared.โ€™

โ€œWant me to call you a shrink?โ€ Jackson teased.

โ€œWant me to check on you?โ€ Zinnia turned, noticing Yannisโ€™s lively, crazy side. She found it oddly interesting and kept watching him.

Yannis thought, โ€˜What new label is she putting on me? I was totally confused by her mysterious stareโ€”canโ€™t tell what she was thinking, but it wasnโ€™t a compliment.โ€™ โ€˜I really need to ask her. I want to count all the labels sheโ€™s given me. What kind of guy does she think I am?โ€™

Yannis rubbed his face, his lively demeanor gone. He looked at the siblings with a defeated expression. โ€˜Fine, do what you want,โ€™ he thought.

โ€œCome on, letโ€™s go upstairs,โ€ Yannis said to Jackson.

Zinnia remembered her homework. With plans to go out, she knew she had to finish it quickly to enjoy herself without worries.

Chapter 158

Once inside the living room, Zinnia headed straight for her favorite snack cabinet. She wanted to see if there were any new treats.

Every time Zinnia came home, she found her snack cabinet filled with new snacksโ€”all made just for her, thanks to Yannis working the factory overtime.

โ€œOnly one bag of chips today. Close the window when you do your homework,โ€ Yannis called after her, holding Zinniaโ€™s backpack.

Jackson, arms full, gave Yannis a teasing look. โ€œSo now youโ€™re playing both big brother and housekeeper, huh?โ€

Yannis had told Jackson about Zinniaโ€™s health a few days earlier: โ€œIf I donโ€™t watch her, sheโ€™ll always sneak extra snacks.โ€

While Yannis changed his shoes, Zinnia had already grabbed a bag of chips, a box of cookies, and two chocolate barsโ€”then rushed to her room.

โ€œI bet James has never seen you act like a mom before,โ€ Jackson said, surprised at how well Yannis cared for Zinnia.

Jackson thought, โ€˜At first, I thought Zinnia would just stay here for a while. But now, itโ€™s like heโ€™s raising her, worried about every little thing.โ€™

โ€œYou left her to me, so I have to be careful. If something happens to Zinnia, youโ€™ll come after me,โ€ Yannis said as they walked to the living room.

โ€œYour place used to be so quiet. Now that Zinniaโ€™s here, itโ€™s lively and full of energy. Isnโ€™t that better?โ€ Jackson said.

Jackson thought, โ€˜Last time I was here, I was in such a rush I didnโ€™t see much. But now, it feels like the place got a total makeoverโ€”like a whole new home.โ€™

โ€œThatโ€™s true,โ€ Yannis agreed, smiling.

โ€œLook, you should thank Zinnia. Sheโ€™s giving you lots of practice for when you have kids someday,โ€ Jackson said, noticing the child-proof corners and princess chair. โ€œYouโ€™re actually doing pretty well as a temporary parent.โ€

Jackson thought, โ€˜All my worries are goneโ€”for now, at least.โ€™

โ€œIf I had my own kids, Iโ€™d just hire a babysitter. But with Zinnia, I wouldnโ€™t trust anyone else,โ€ Yannis said, hanging her backpack and making Jackson coffee.

Yannis thought, โ€˜If I had kids, I wouldnโ€™t need to do all this. My family members would fight over who gets to care for them. Iโ€™d barely even hold my own child.โ€™ โ€˜But I wouldnโ€™t trust anyone else with Zinnia. Sheโ€™d just stay quiet if wronged, so I better keep a close eye on her myself.โ€™

Jackson felt Yannis was more like a real brother to Zinnia than he was. He couldnโ€™t give her the care she needed; Yannis seemed better suited to the role.

Yannis chuckled softly, raised his cup, and clinked it with Jacksonโ€™s. โ€œThanks for trusting me. I wonโ€™t let you down.โ€

Jackson leaned back comfortably. โ€œAlright, what did you want to talk about? Youโ€™re not just here to brag about how good you are as a parent, right?โ€

Jackson sat up straight as Yannis dropped a big surprise: โ€œNathan might still be alive.โ€


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