Chapter 276
โSo, Yannis, James really loves you. Donโt blame yourself, okay?โ Zinnia felt the wetness dripping onto her hand, like a burn from fire. Her fingers trembled, and her heart squeezed tight.
She wrapped her arm around Yannisโs shoulder, holding him close and patting his back gently.
Yannis didnโt speak. He just leaned against her, his dark eyes damp and hollow.
Zinnia knew he needed time to accept and heal.
She lowered her eyes, looking at his red-rimmed eyes. Strangely, she felt little sympathy. Instead, she thought he looked gorgeous when he cried.
His misty eyes made him seem pitiful, like the little white rabbit sheโd raised as a kid. When it lost a fight with other bunnies, it would come to her with red eyes, seeking comfort. Zinnia would hug it, kiss it, and coo at it.
She blinked, her fingers unconsciously brushing his eyelid. It was scalding hot, maybe swollen from the tears.
Her tentative touch made Yannisโs long lashes flutter, still dotted with glistening tears.
He looked up at her, confused. โWhat is she up to now? Staring at my eyes again?โ
โYannis, you look so gorgeous when you cry,โ Zinnia said earnestly.
Sure enough, a pretty face made even crying look stunning.
His chest tightened, the ache stifled by her words.
โCan Iโฆ take a photo?โ Zinnia reached for her phone.
Yannis grabbed her hand, his face darkening with irritation. He thought, โShe is always pulling these crazy stunts. Who would compliment someone on their crying and then try to take a photo?โ
โNo photos. If you do, Iโm ignoring you,โ he said.
โYannis, youโre so childish, threatening me like a grade-schooler,โ Zinnia sighed, giving up.
Yannis really looked gorgeous when he cried.
โNo photos, and donโt tell anyone about tonightโฆโ Yannisโs eyes were as dark as ink, endless. In the silence, his pupils held only her reflection.
โAlrightโฆโ Zinnia met his gaze, their eyes locking. After a long pause, she glanced at the person in the hospital bed, unsure how to respond.
She bit her lip, looking at the pillow dampened by tears.
She hadnโt said anything. James had heard on his own.
He was too exhausted to wake up, but that didnโt mean he couldnโt hear.
โTired? Do you want to take a nap?โ Yannis lifted his head from her shoulder, eyeing her sleepy face.
Sheโd been up all night. She must be exhausted.
โYeahโฆ Laylaโs asleep,โ Zinnia said. She was definitely tired, but Layla was probably sleeping now. She didnโt want to disturb Layla.
โShould I get another room for you?โ Yannis asked. The suite had three rooms: Layla and Zinniaโs, Devinโs, and Victorโs.
โNo,โ Zinnia said. She didnโt want to be alone.
โThen lean on me and rest?โ Yannis suggested. Zinnia wouldnโt go to another room or disturb Layla.
โWill youโฆ still cry?โ If he did, sheโd stay awake to keep him company.
โJust sleep. No more talking,โ Yannis said. Her words had a way of draining all his emotions.
He pulled her close, letting her rest in his arms. Then he draped a blanket over her.
It was almost 3 a.m. After a long night, Zinnia was dead tired, yawning nonstop.
Leaning on Yannis, she fell asleep peacefully.
Her soft breaths tickled his chest. Yannis looked down, tracing her features with his eyes. The sadness in his gaze gradually melted into tenderness, so soft it could make anyone drown.
He bowed his head, pressing his forehead to hers. Their warm breaths tangled for a moment. He thought, โZinnia, hurry up and grow upโฆโ
โWhat a jerk! You snuck Zinnia out in the middle of the night?โ In a daze, Zinnia heard a surprised voice.
โBe quietโฆโ Yannis frowned at Layla, then looked down at the girl in his arms. Her eyes fluttered open, bleary.
โItโs okay. Go back to sleep,โ he said, patting her back gently. Thinking it was a dream, Zinnia closed her eyes again.
โWatch Dad. Iโll carry her in,โ Yannis whispered, lifting Zinnia and heading to Laylaโs room.
He took off Zinniaโs shoes and carefully tucked her under the covers.
After only an hour on Yannisโs shoulder, Zinnia was still exhausted.
The moment she hit the soft mattress, she rolled over, wrapped in the blanket, and fell back to sleep.
Once he was sure she was settled, Yannis closed the door and returned.
โWhy was Zinnia outside?โ Layla eyed Yannis suspiciously.
Layla thought, โZinnia is still young. He wouldnโt do something creepy, right?โ
Before returning to the Perkins Manor, Layla had pulled a seven-day nonstop shift abroad. Sheโd just gotten back when James fell ill, so sheโd slept deeply and hadnโt known Zinnia had sneaked out.
It was only a little past 5 a.m. now. Layla had come out to check on James.
โShe was worried about me. So she came to check on me,โ Yannis said, turning to the bar for a glass of water.
โReally? Are you sure you didnโt sneak her out, like when you were a kid?โ Layla followed, pushing a glass toward him.
He cared so much for Zinnia. They were inseparable, and he took her everywhere. He might actually do that.
Yannis had a history. As a kid, he loved Samoyeds. When his mom wouldnโt let him bring the puppy to his room, heโd sneaked into the kennel at night and carried it in.
โEven I wouldnโt stoop that low. Zinnia came out to keep me company,โ Yannis said, pouring her a glass of warm water and meeting her suspicious stare.
Zinnia was worried about him and stayed by his side.
โYannis, have you ever heard the saying, โYou should raise your own wifeโ? Thatโs exactly you,โ Layla said, sipping the water and eyeing her silent brother.
Yannisโs brows twitched, but he didnโt respond.
โDo you think you can hide it from me?โ Layla teased.
Yannis had always been reserved, but once he fell for someone, his favoritism showed, blatantly, though he might not realize it.
He totally spoiled Zinnia. He drove her to school, picked her up, cooked meals on time, bought her dresses on business trips, made fake snow, and got her balloons and flowers.
He gave her everything, way beyond what he should do for his friendโs little sister.