Chapter 310

“Zinnia?” Nathan pushed open the door and stepped inside. His face was pale, his handsome features marred by a clear frailty.

Despite the well-heated room, he was still bundled in a black turtleneck and a long overcoat.

Without the medication’s effects masking his condition, Zinnia could now sense just how poor his health truly was.

His body was, in truth, far from healthy. He had been relying on medication to barely maintain the appearance of normalcy.

Now, without it, his weakness was unmistakable. A faint itch rose in his throat; he swallowed, and a hoarse cough escaped him.

Upon hearing his cough, Zinnia’s heart ached. She couldn’t help but hurry over to him. “Are you feeling worse again? Sit down, and let me check on you." Zinnia steadied him, worry clear in her bright eyes.

“It’s okay. Don’t worry. I’m fine,” Nathan reassured her. When he lowered his gaze and noticed the concern in her eyes, a faint smile touched his lips.

Seeing him still smiling, Zinnia snapped. Anger surged in her chest as she barked, “You’re still smiling. Do you think I’m not mad anymore?”

Nathan’s smile faded as he saw the fuming girl. “I’m sorry. It was wrong,” he apologized softly, staring at her eyes that were still tinged with red.

She had clearly been crying again. A stabbing pain shot through Nathan’s heart.

She wasn’t usually sensitive, even rather emotionally dense, yet because of him, she had wept time and again.

“I won’t forgive you. If you don’t get better, I’ll never ever forgive you,” Zinnia declared, glaring up at him, her eyes stubborn and brimming with unshed tears.

If Nathan hadn’t recovered, she’d never forgive him, and she wouldn’t forgive herself.

Nathan froze for a moment, then gently ruffled her hair. “Alright,” he conceded softly. After raising Zinnia for over a decade, Nathan knew her well.

“Let me check your pulse. I need to know your actual condition.” Zinnia stared straight at Nathan, her eyes unwavering.

Even though Nathan’s weakness was now clearly visible, she still feared he’d find another way to hide the truth from her.

Having been deceived by Nathan twice already, she found it hard to trust him now. She was done with lies. This time, Zinnia refused to be deceived any longer.

“Alright.” Nathan nodded softly.

“Let’s sit down, okay?” Nathan reached for her hand and gently guided her toward the sofa. Zinnia didn’t resist.

As soon as they sat down, with Nathan right beside her, Zinnia immediately reached for his wrist, her hand trembling with urgency. She looked up at Nathan, her eyes welling up uncontrollably.

“Are you really going to wait until you’re dying before you finally tell me the truth about your condition?” Zinnia raised her voice, the tremor in her words impossible to miss.

Even the hand at her side wouldn’t stop shaking.

That afternoon, Nathan had mentioned his condition to her. She knew his health was poor, but nothing could have prepared her for just how bad it truly was.

He’d claimed he still had several months left, but in reality, that simply wasn’t true, three months at most.

His already failing health had only gotten worse. Just to spare her worry, he’d relied on medication to suppress his symptoms, causing irreversible damage and pushing his body past its limits.

His limited days were being burned away far too quickly. There was no way he had half a year left.

In the little time he had left, Nathan wanted to take Zinnia back to their small town. He’d never truly believed he would find Florivive. He had already made peace with his impending death.

The only reason he kept searching was that he couldn’t let go of Zinnia. But now that he had someone trustworthy to look after her, Nathan found he could face death with quiet acceptance.

“Zinnia, don’t worry. There’s still half a year. The worst has come yet,” he said, his eyes crinkling as he spoke in a calm, reassuring tone.

To Nathan, death wasn’t truly frightening. His parents were waiting for him in heaven. Yet the thought of leaving Zinnia alone was the one thing Nathan couldn’t bear.

As Zinnia listened to his casual tone, it felt as though he had already accepted his fate.

Zinnia’s chest heaved violently with rage. “What do you mean by the worst? Is it when you’re bedridden and helpless, and all I can do is watch you die? Is that what you call the worst time?”

“Zinnia, calm down, okay?” Seeing her agitation, both Nathan and Yannis grew alarmed.

“Don’t touch me. I’m not dying,” Zinnia snapped, pulling away from their hands.

She knew they were afraid she might break down. But no matter how heartbroken or devastated she felt, Zinnia refused to let herself fall apart.

Having already gone through the shock of discovering Nathan’s illness, she had started to prepare herself.

So now, faced with the reality of Nathan’s condition, it was still hard for her to accept. But with that groundwork laid, and after crying her heart out last time, she was more prepared now.

Zinnia’s words wrenched at both Nathan’s and Yannis‘ hearts like twisting knives.

“Zinnia, please don’t talk like that,” Nathan pleaded, his voice rough with emotion. He couldn’t stand hearing her speak of death.