Come in 277
Posted on July 09, 2025 ยท 0 mins read
Listen to this chapter:

Chapter 277

Zinnia woke up to daylight.

Luckily, it was the weekend, and she didnโ€™t have to go to school. Otherwise, sheโ€™d be dead on her feet.

She pushed open her room door and stepped out, only to find the hospital room deathly quiet.

Zinniaโ€™s appearance drew everyoneโ€™s gaze toward her.

Several pairs of eyes locked onto her, snapping her half-asleep mind into full alertness.

Instinctively, she took a step back, pressing herself against the door, ready to slip back into her room.

With James now awake, the room fell into an unnerving silence. Zinnia had no idea what theyโ€™d been discussing before.

โ€œZinnia,โ€ James called softly, his voice gentle yet still rough from his recent illness.

Yannis stood up and walked over to her with a reassuring smile. โ€œHey, no need to run off. Donโ€™t be scared. Youโ€™re the hero of our family right now.โ€

โ€œHuh?โ€ Zinnia blinked in utter confusion.

โ€˜I just took a nap. What the heck happened while I was asleep?โ€™ she wondered.

Zinnia glanced around in bewilderment. Victor was beaming at her. Layla flashed her an enthusiastic thumbs-up, and even Devin, who was usually so stoic, wore a faint smile.

Zinnia had absolutely no idea what was going on. She was completely lost.

โ€œWhatโ€™s happening?โ€ Zinnia asked hesitantly as she and Yannis took seats by the hospital bed.

โ€˜Why am I even here, mixed up in their family affairs?โ€™ she thought.

โ€œZinnia, is there anything you desire? Just name it. If you want the stars in the sky, I will have Yannis fetch them for you,โ€ James smiled warmly at Zinnia, who sat there a bit stiffly.

โ€œYour promise? Why am I the one who has to do it?โ€ Yannis shot James an annoyed glare.

James eavesdropped on their conversation in the middle of the night, and now James was trying to pawn him off as a reward.

โ€œIโ€™m getting on in years. I might not be around much longer,โ€ James said. โ€œThe doctor says I shouldnโ€™t stress myself out. Canโ€™t you do me a favor and show Zinnia our gratitude?โ€

James snorted.

โ€œGratitude?โ€ Zinnia still didnโ€™t get it.

After tossing and turning half the night, her mind was still foggy. She just couldnโ€™t connect the dots.

โ€œYes, the misunderstanding between them has finally been cleared up,โ€ Victor exclaimed excitedly.

Yannis shot back, โ€œWho told you?โ€

James lifted his chin. โ€œMisunderstanding? What misunderstanding?โ€

โ€œSir, donโ€™t hold your head up so high. The doctor said youโ€™ve just woken up, so no sudden movements."

โ€œIsnโ€™t it great now that youโ€™ve talked things out? Youโ€™re even finishing each otherโ€™s sentences.โ€

Victor watched nervously, his heart racing with concern as he observed Jamesโ€™s movements.

Zinnia thought, finally catching on, โ€˜So thatโ€™s it. James and Yannis must have talked things out.โ€™

They exchanged a glance at Victorโ€™s dramatic tone and then turned away in unison.

โ€œYannis, would you like to celebrate your birthday at the Perkins Manor?โ€ James asked.

โ€œYouโ€™re lying here in a hospital bed and still thinking about my birthday?โ€ Yannis asked, sounding surprised.

Honestly, it was not Yannisโ€™s fault to banter with James. Here James was, stuck in a hospital bed, yet still fussing over his sonโ€™s birthday.

The doctor said his condition required at least six months of complete rest and recuperation.

Birthday celebrations at home always turned the place upside down.

โ€œAll I need is some rest. Itโ€™s not like I canโ€™t move. I donโ€™t care. You have to come back to the Perkins Manor for your birthday,โ€ James retorted stubbornly.

He was just resting, not bedridden.

โ€œYannis, itโ€™s been two years since you celebrated your birthday at home. Dad just wants to have you back this time,โ€ Devin said.

Watching the stubborn father-son duo with amusement, he voiced Jamesโ€™s unspoken wish.

Yannis hadnโ€™t celebrated his birthday at home since he went abroad at the age of 21. After two years away, he only returned six months ago.

Now that his son was finally back, James longed for Yannis to celebrate his birthday at home.

With the air cleared between them, James could no longer keep up his stern fatherly facade and couldnโ€™t help but act like a mischievous old man.

After all, he knew Yannis would never truly disregard him.

James said, โ€œWith my health like this, who knows how many more birthdays I can celebrate with you? I insist we celebrate at the Perkins Manorโ€ฆ Unlessโ€ฆโ€

James paused, noticing Yannisโ€™s silence and suddenly feeling self-conscious about his demanding tone.

โ€œFine, letโ€™s do it at the Perkins Manor,โ€ Yannis conceded.

James smiled, โ€œLetโ€™s do it at the Perkins Manor. It hasnโ€™t seen this much excitement in agesโ€ฆโ€

As soon as Yannis agreed, James broke into a broad smile. Then he turned to Zinnia with a twinkle in his eye and said warmly, โ€œZinnia, youโ€™ll come too.โ€

โ€œOh, okay,โ€ Zinnia replied instinctively.

โ€œItโ€™s settled then. Weโ€™ll celebrate at the Perkins Manor,โ€ said James.

โ€œAlright, Layla and I will clear our schedules and help out in person. Weโ€™ll make sure to decorate properly. Itโ€™s been ages since Yannis last celebrated his birthday at home,โ€ Devin said, a faint smile curling his lips.

James grinned and said, โ€œMake it more festive.โ€

โ€œI remember Yannis loved balloons when he was little,โ€ Victor said with a smile. โ€œWeโ€™ll definitely put up loads of balloons.โ€

Layla grinned, โ€œWe still need to order a cake. Should we go for something elaborate or just keep it simple? Actually, never mind. Weโ€™ll decide with the pastry chef.โ€

Devin asked, โ€œYannis, which friends should we contact? We should let them know in advance.โ€

Not once did anyone ask Yannis what he wanted.

Zinnia sat up straight, hands resting on her knees, and listened as everyone chatted about Yannisโ€™s birthday plans. Maybe it was the lack of sleep, but she couldnโ€™t help yawning quietly, feeling even more out of place in the lively conversation.

Zinnia and Yannis sat by the hospital bed, while Devin and the others stood in a circle behind them.

James lay on the bed.

Something just felt off, but Zinnia couldnโ€™t quite pinpoint what was wrong.

Yannis said, โ€œDidnโ€™t sleep well? Weโ€™ll head home soon so you can catch some sleep.โ€

Yannis, the actual birthday boy, was completely ignored as everyone bickered back and forth. Their nonstop chatter was giving him a splitting headache.

โ€˜Why did I ever agree to this birthday thing?โ€™ he thought ruefully.

Yannis saw her stifle a yawn and lower her gaze, revealing the dark circles under her eyes.

She rarely stayed up late. Last night, she didnโ€™t fall asleep until past 3 a.m., and now it was barely nine.

As soon as she finished her words, Layla said, โ€œZinnia, what kind of decorations do you like? Iโ€™ll show you some ideas later. You can pick your favorites.โ€

โ€œYeah,โ€ Zinnia sighed. โ€œI tossed and turned all night, drifting in and out of sleep. Honestly, it felt like I hadnโ€™t slept a wink.โ€

Layla held her phone right in front of Zinnia, clearly excited as she started scrolling through options, eager to brainstorm decoration ideas together.

โ€œWait, youโ€™re asking me to pick what I like? But isnโ€™t it Yannisโ€™s birthday?โ€ Zinnia asked, utterly bewildered.

โ€œOh please, thereโ€™s no point asking Yannis. Heโ€™ll just say whatever like always. Zinnia, letโ€™s just pick what you like. Whatever you choose, heโ€™s bound to love it.โ€ Layla couldnโ€™t help sounding dismissive whenever Yannis was mentioned.

Having grown up with everything he wanted, Yannis rarely desired anything specific.

Birthdays didnโ€™t matter to him, but Layla and the others never tired of making a fuss. After all, Yannis only turned a year older once, and they were determined to make it perfect.

โ€œI donโ€™t think thatโ€™s rightโ€ฆโ€ Zinnia believed birthdays should be about the celebrantโ€™s preferences.

Having experienced a disappointing birthday herself, she felt this day belonged to Yannis and should reflect his tastes.

She just couldnโ€™t understand why Layla bypassed Yannis and asked her instead.

โ€œWhatever you like, Yannis will love too. Right, Yannis?โ€ Layla smiled as she turned to him.

Everyone looked at Yannis with a smile.

โ€œYes,โ€ Yannis said.


Please let us know if you find any errors, so we can fix them.