Chapter 221
Vannis listened as Zinnia listed all her discomforts, then tapped her forehead helplessly. โNow you realize youโre unwell?โ
โYouโre still hilting me,โ Zinnia murmured weakly, barely able to do more than roll her eyes at him.
What a meanie, Zinnia thought. โIโm already feeling so awful, and he still taps me on the head. When he was sick before, I had taken such good care of him.โ
She shot Yannis a look, but it was utterly harmless, more like a petulant pout than any real threat. After so long without speaking, her voice came out soft and whispery, making Yannisโ heart melt with tenderness.
โDrink the soup first. Then Iโll get the doc to check on you,โ Yannis said, eyeing Zinniaโs pout. He grabbed the bowl of onion soup from the nightstand, stirred it to cool, then held a spoonful to her lips.
Zinniaโs lips just brushed the spoon as she mumbled, โSo hot.โ
Yannis lowered his head and blew on it again until it cooled. Finally, Zinnia took a sip.
Zinnia always turned lazy when she was sick, acting all delicate and pampered. Leaning against Yannis, she peered into the bowl in his hands and pouted, โNo meat?โ
Yannis scooped another spoonful and fed her. โAfter treating your body so carelessly, you still have the nerve to ask for meat?โ
Heโd spent nearly two months carefully nursing her, finally getting some meat on her bones. But this ordeal had really taken a heavy tollโher cheeks were still paper-white, no hint of color in sight.
โMy body desperately needs meat right now,โ Zinnia said with exaggerated seriousness. โI need to eat more to replenish all the energy Iโve lost.โ
โNot getting any,โ Yannis teased nonchalantly.
โThen Iโm calling Sofia. Iโm going home to convalesce with Henry,โ Zinnia exclaimed in disbelief, never expecting he could be so heartless when she was in this state. Even though she was weak, she still struggled to sit up and reach for her phone.
โHenry has suffered terribly too,โ Zinnia thought. โSofia is surely preparing all kinds of nourishing meals for him. If I go back, I can join in the feast.โ
โDrink your soup first. Iโll give you the meat later,โ Yannis said, holding Zinnia close and feeding her another spoonful.
โMost people lose their appetite when theyโre sick, but she woke up asking for meat,โ he thought, feeling both exasperated and amused.
โAlright then,โ Zinnia conceded. Relieved by the promise of meat, she settled down and obediently finished her soup.
In fact, she had been starving since last night. Only after finishing that bowl of soup did the gnawing hunger in her stomach finally ease upโjust a little.
Zinnia had no idea what time it was. She was so hungry she thought she might die. Watching Yannis get up to fetch some food, she asked, โWhat time is it? Shouldnโt I be going to school now?โ
Yannis glanced at the time and replied, โItโs already evening.โ
โEvening?โ Zinnia gasped in disbelief. She had thought it was still morning. All she remembered was sinking into a deep, heavy sleep, and now her whole body ached terribly. She never expected that it would already be nighttime.
This was the first time Zinnia had used the Flowing Technique. She had only learned it from Nathan and practiced on medical mannequins, but had never actually tried it on a real person.
Nathan had drilled it into herโnever use the Flowing Technique unless it was a last resort. It would wipe her out and leave her weak and suffering for a long time.
Vitality was everything. Once it was tapped, one would get weak and sicklyโjust like Zinnia now, every part of her bony...
โDonโt worry, Iโve already called the school for you,โ Yannis said as he carried the bowl out.
After drinking some soup, Zinnia regained a bit of strength. She propped herself up and reached out for her phone, worried about how Henry was doing.
The second Zinnia unlocked her phone with Face ID, the screen lit up with a flood of missed calls and messages. There were notifications from Maisie, group chats, Jackson, and the others, while the ones from Lydia really stood out.
Zinnia tapped the screen slowlyโeach movement seeming to drain the last of her strength. At last, she found Jacksonโs number and dialed.
With each passing second with the call trying to connect, her heart racedโwhat if Jackson and the others blamed her?
Jackson picked up instantly, as if heโd been waiting by the phone. โZinnia, youโre awake? Are you still uncomfortable anywhere? Iโm coming over rightโ"
As Jacksonโs worried words poured through the speaker, Zinniaโs heart gave a sudden acheโJackson didnโt blame her.
โIโm good. No need to come. Howโs Henry doing?โ Zinnia asked, her eyes falling to the phone on the nightstand. She didnโt have the energy to even pick it up.
Just then, Sofiaโs voice crackled with worry. โIs that Zinnia on the line? Howโs she doing? Is she awake? Does she still feel sick anywhere? Benedict, get the car ready now!"
Right after, Sofiaโs voice came through the phone, urgent and fraught. โZinnia, are you still feeling unwell anywhere? Iโm coming to see you right away. Just wait for me.โ
โItโs getting late. No need to come over. I promise, Iโm doing just fine,โ Zinnia said, forcing herself to sound cheerful despite her weakness.
It was already nine in the evening, and Zinnia couldnโt believe sheโd slept for so longโsheโd practically slept through the whole day.
โThen Iโll swing by tomorrow morning, sweetheart,โ said Sofia lovingly.
โOkay,โ Zinnia whispered, a tiny smile tugging at her lips.
Clutching the phone, Sofia hurried into Henryโs room and gently shook himโwhoโd just fallen asleepโawake. โHenry, wake up. Zinniaโs on the phone!โ
Henry paused. โZinnia?โ
He had woken up earlier that day. Raymond told the Lynn family the incident turned out to be a blessing in disguiseโHenryโs chronic headaches were completely gone.
The Lynns had been eager to visit Zinnia, but Yannis said she was still asleep and needed rest. So, despite their worry, they managed to wait at home.
Hearing Henryโs voice, Zinnia asked softly, โHenry, do you feel better now? Anywhere still hurting?โ
โIโm good. Youโre like a miracle worker. Seriously, you totally saved me. Thanks, sweetheart,โ Henry said, his voice a bit raspy. Despite everything heโd been through, there wasnโt a hint of angerโjust warmth and gratitude in his tone.
โIโm sorry, Henry,โ Zinnia said, tears welling up in his gentle tone. โIf it werenโt for me, you wouldnโt have gotten caught up in all these troubles.โ
She had worried the Lynn family might blame her. After all, even her so-called mother hated her that much. If the Lynns hadnโt stepped up to protect her, they never wouldโve gotten dragged into this mess.
Henry was already so oldโif something had happened to him, sheโd be stuck with that guilt forever.
โZinnia, donโt beat yourself up. None of this is on you. Youโre incredibleโbecause of you, Iโm safe and sound. Youโre our good luck charm. Once youโre better, come home and weโll have a family dinner together, alright?โ Henry offered, his voice warm and gentle.
โOkay.โ Zinnia whispered.