Chapter 280

Jackson turned his head. “Are you staying at the Moore manor or somewhere else? If you haven’t figured it out yet, you can stay at my house.”

Nathan came back so suddenly that he hadn’t had time to get everything in order. “I’ve got a place to stay,” Nathan said, putting on the mask, leaving only his eyes visible.

“Where are you going later? I can drop you off if you want,” Yannis said, walking on Zinnia’s left, with Nathan on her right. He thought that since Nathan was back, Zinnia would naturally go with him.

While eating, Nathan removed his mask, revealing his strikingly handsome face. Unlike Yannis‘ sharp features, his face was softer and smoother. Zinnia once mentioned that they each possessed—

“Cloud Harbor,” Nathan said with a faint smile as he deftly pulled his mask back on.

Yannis blinked in surprise.

“We’re keeping a low profile this time, so we won’t be staying at the Moore manor,” Nathan explained. “Cloud Harbor is closer to Zinnia’s school and has better security.”

Nathan didn’t want to attract much attention this time, so he even left the airport through the VIP passage. Few knew that Nathan had returned; some didn’t even know he was still alive. Nathan didn’t want anyone to find out, because, in the end, nothing would change.

“Which part of Cloud Harbor are you staying in?” Yannis asked.

Cloud Harbor was divided into several sections, each boasting a prime location that came with premium prices.

“Building C,” Nathan replied. Building C was the quietest area, with only one unit sold, and, surprisingly, it was bought by Nathan.

Yannis was surprised by the coincidence because Building A and Building C were practically next to each other. “No way. We’re in Building A.”

Jackson was also surprised. He said with a grin, “It’s awesome that you guys live—”

“Wow, we’re neighbors,” Zinnia exclaimed cheerfully. It meant that she and Nathan could see Yannis whenever she wanted.

“Yeah,” Nathan responded calmly. Seeing the smile on Yannis‘ face, he frowned. He already knew Yannis lived in Building A when Zinnia moved in with him before.

“See you then. I got some work stuff to handle at the office,” Jackson said. Due to work, he wouldn’t be staying in Cloud Harbor.

“Alright,” Yannis said.

Even though they hadn’t seen each other in a long time, they still felt just like family.

Nathan said, “Yannis, thank you for looking after Zinnia these days. I’ll take her home now, and we’ll get her things later when we have time.”

The three of them arrived at the underground garage, where there were separate elevators for Building A and Building C.

Zinnia instinctively started toward the Building A elevator. However, she soon noticed that neither Nathan nor Yannis was following her. Suddenly realizing her mistake, she froze in place.

She turned around, only to find both of them were staring at her.

“Zinnia, you’re going the wrong way,” Nathan said gently.

Chapter 280

Though Building A and Building C were close to each other, they were on different levels of the residential complex. Once inside, they would have to go in opposite directions, and the elevators were also separate.

Zinnia chuckled sheepishly and explained, “Guess I’m just on autopilot. I didn’t even realize we were going somewhere else.”

Since Zinnia and Yannis still lived in the same complex, she didn’t feel much sense of separation. After all, it was just a ten–minute walk apart.

“Aren’t you going to say goodbye to Yannis?” Nathan said.

Zinnia smiled and waved. “Alright, we’re leaving. See you tomorrow, Yannis.” Then she came back to Nathan.

It was almost nine o’clock in the evening, and Zinnia had class the next day.

“Alright, see you tomorrow,” Yannis replied. He was still getting used to Zinnia’s sudden absence, but it was better than what he had feared–her going back to the Moore manor with Nathan.

Honestly, Yannis had even thought about buying a place right next to the Moore manor.

“When we’re all set, come over with Jackson and have dinner with us,” Nathan looked at Yannis, saying in a soft voice.

“Sure,” said Yannis.

He didn’t move until they went into the elevator. Then he turned and stepped into another one alone.

“Nathan, where have you been all this time?” Zinnia spoke up inside the elevator.

Nathan lowered his head with a soft chuckle. “I was working hard to make money. Didn’t you say you wanted a castle? A fancy car? How about a manor?”

“Are you hurt?” Zinnia bit her lips nervously. More than anything material, she just wanted him to be okay. And although she had already checked his pulse, she still couldn’t shake off the uneasiness in her heart.

Nathan showed no sign of discomfort. “I’m not. Didn’t you already check on me?”

“I just feel like you’re not telling me the truth. If nothing had happened, how could you have left me behind?” Zinnia said. The thought that he might have a cough issue made her feel uneasy.

However, she just couldn’t figure out what the problem was. She thought, ‘If it were just a simple cough, Nathan wouldn’t be so resistant to my concern.’

“You already knew what happened to me, right? I just didn’t want you to worry or be scared, so I didn’t bring you along,” Nathan said, gently running his fingers through Zinnia’s soft hair.

Zinnia lowered her head and murmured, “Even though you didn’t let me come with you, I was worried the whole time.”

Nathan left without a word. Later, after learning about his background from Yannis, Zinnia couldn’t help but fear that something terrible might have happened to him.

Nathan bent down to meet Zinnia’s eyes and said softly, “I’m sorry.”

“Fine, I forgive you,” Zinnia said, turning her head away with a soft huff. “No more disappearing without a word, okay? We’re family, and I care for you.”

Nathan promised softly, “Alright, I won’t leave without telling you next time.” He meant it. She was his only family left, so he wouldn’t leave her behind.

Besides, given Nathan’s poor health condition, he couldn’t go anywhere. All he wanted was to stay by her side, watch her go to university, and enjoy those happy moments with her.

Back then, circumstances forced Nathan to leave her in that small town, and now, he was determined to make it up to her.

Nathan asked softly, “Zinnia, where do you want to live in the future?”

Chapter 280

Nathan wanted to know where Zinnia would like to stay, so he could plan ahead for her. Now that she had someone to hold onto in Justo, he wasn't sure if she still wanted to leave someday.

Zinnia pressed her lips and asked, “Nathan, will you leave later?” She was thinking about leaving with him if he would.

Nathan fell silent for a moment, not sure what to say because he didn’t know how much longer he had left or if he could make it until Quincey found the medicine.

Nathan couldn’t bring himself to promise her anything. He knew that if he failed to keep his word, Zinnia would definitely cry.

Zinnia looked up at Nathan and said seriously, “Where you go, I’ll go too.”

Zinnia didn’t know what the future held for her, but right now, she wouldn’t leave Nathan unless he started a new life of his own. She thought, ‘If Nathan hadn’t left, he wouldn’t have kept his true identity a secret from me.’

He raised her, and they had been inseparable since they were kids. To Zinnia, Nathan was irreplaceable, and no one could ever come close.

Nathan looked at Zinnia with a tender smile. “That’s so sweet.”