Chapter 175

The loud click of high heels on the floor announced Yvette's arrival before she even appeared.

“Perfect timing. You’re just in time for dinner,” Raymond said warmly, looking at her.

Yvette and Aaron returned, carrying shopping bags.

“Just made it back for dinner,” Yvette grinned, removing her shoes and putting on comfy slippers. “I went to Yosando for some ideas and made some cakes this morning.”

Aaron followed, arms full of packages, changing his shoes before entering.

“Maisie, you look stunning! I haven’t seen you with long hair in years,” Yvette gasped dramatically, her eyes wide with excitement.

Yvette thought, Ever since Maisie was seven, she’s immediately asked for a short haircut. She even got me to use connections to get her into boot camp. That short hair lasted ten years, along with her tough training.

Maisie gave her overly dramatic mother a helpless look. “Mom, can you tone it down a bit?”

Zinnia and Maisie had wanted to change their clothes after returning, but Yvette had messaged them not to. She wanted to see their outfits herself; that’s why they were still dressed up.

None of them were short on money. Their clothes were all new, and they had splurged on the best makeup and styling. Though not professionally done, with their good looks and money, they looked pretty great.

“Can’t even take a compliment? Oh, come here, sweetie, let me get a good look at you,” Yvette said, pulling Zinnia closer, her eyes shining with happiness. “Our little cutie is just too adorable. Let me give you a few kisses.”

She bent down and gave Zinnia a loud kiss on the cheek.

“Zinnia, you are just too cute! That pretty dress fits you perfectly.” Yvette never hid her love for her children; her praise was full of affection.

Zinnia’s cheeks turned pink instantly. She lightly scratched her cheek.

Yannis had just finished a work call. When he saw Yvette showering Zinnia with kisses, his eye twitched.

He looked at Aaron and said, “Aren’t you going to stop your wife? Why does she start kissing people the moment she sees them?”

Aaron, also noticing his wife’s antics, twitched his lips slightly. Catching Yannis’s pointed look, he could only offer a helpless shrug and say, “Come on, you know who’s really in charge at home.”

Yannis thought, I really need to talk to Yvette. She can’t just go around kissing Zinnia whenever she feels like it.

“Yvette,” Yannis called as he approached.

“Oh, what brings you here? I thought you weren’t coming until tomorrow,” Yvette said in surprise, eyeing him curiously before turning back to pinch Zinnia’s cheeks.

Yvette shot Maisie a sneaky look, asking, “When did Yannis get here?”

Maisie said, “Yannis picked us up and drove us back.”

Yvette looked at her suspiciously. “What’s gotten into Yannis today? Since when does he play driver? He actually picked you up?”

Maisie nodded. “Yeah, he was surprisingly nice.”

Thanks to years of silent understanding, they shared a knowing look.

Chapter 175

“I’ve got some free time today,” Yannis said as he walked to Zinnia. Her eyes still sparkled, her cheeks a little shy.

Zinnia had been hurt by the Shaws. They’d given her the love a real family should. But Yvette was different. When she loved, she loved totally. That blunt, passionate love could break through Zinnia’s guarded feelings and make her feel truly loved.

Feeling Yannis’s gaze, Zinnia looked up into his gentle, smiling eyes. “Thank you, Yannis,” she said softly, her beautiful eyes curling, shining as if they held a galaxy inside.

Zinnia felt thankful to Yannis. If it weren’t for him, she wouldn’t have known such wonderful parents like Yvette and Aaron.

Because of the hairpins in her hair, Yannis couldn’t ruffle Zinnia’s head. He told her softly, “You deserve all the love in the world. You don’t need to thank me.”

Aaron watched from the side, his eyes on Yannis. A quick surprise flickered across his face as his eyebrows furrowed slightly. After a short, thoughtful moment, he looked away.

Seeing Yannis arrive, Raymond approached with a warm smile. “Now that you’re back, let’s have dinner. Why don’t you stay the night with us?”

Yannis agreed. The group sat around the table. Yannis sat to Raymond’s right, and Maisie nudged Zinnia to sit next to him.

Maisie really didn’t want to sit next to her frosty cousin, but since he wasn’t cold to Zinnia, she thought, Well, guess I’ll just have to ask Zinnia to put up with sitting next to him.

“Sweetie, try these meatballs. They are really delicious,” Yvette said happily, placing some on Zinnia’s plate.

Yvette added meatballs to Maisie’s plate and said warmly, “Darling, you’ve lost weight since I last saw you. If school food isn’t good, just eat out.”

“I think I’ve gained a little weight,” Maisie said while eating.

“Thanks, Mom,” Zinnia said, holding her fork, craving the meatball. But she hesitated and looked at Yannis with pleading eyes.

Can I eat this? It smells so good. I really want to try it, Zinnia thought, staring at the yummy-looking meatball.

Yvette saw Zinnia’s subtle cues, turned to Yannis, and asked, “Yannis, are you starving Zinnia?”

“Yannis,” Raymond said with concern, “how about letting Zinnia come stay with us so we can take care of her?”

“Yannis isn’t starving me,” Zinnia said. “I can’t eat too much meat. Please don’t blame him; he’s always been good to me.” She hurried to explain, not wanting Yannis to be misunderstood.

Concern showed in the others’ eyes. Yvette reached for Zinnia’s hand, her voice trembling. “Zinnia, are you feeling sick? Did you see a doctor? How serious is it, sweetie? Why didn’t you tell us?”

“Zinnia, let me check you,” Raymond said worriedly.

“I’m fine—just that I can’t eat much meat or sugar right now,” Zinnia said gently.

“Zinnia’s okay. I already had Roderick check her, so no worries,” Yannis reassured them.

“Go ahead and eat,” Yannis said softly, placing some peeled shrimp on Zinnia’s plate. “Just watch your diet these days. Don’t only eat meat.”

“Okay,” Zinnia said obediently.

“Really, Yannis? Don’t hide anything from us,” Yvette pressed, still worried.

“Zinnia’s totally fine,” Raymond said after checking her pulse, though he was a bit surprised himself. Yannis shook his head slightly. Raymond understood and didn’t push further.

After Raymond spoke, the others sighed in relief. Yvette said tenderly, “My poor Zinnia, you’ve really been through a lot. Once you’re fully better, Mom will take you girls out for a feast.”

Chapter 175