Chapter 318
After composing herself, Zinnia looked into Nathanโs worried eyes.
She lowered her head and said softly, โIโm sorry. I shouldnโt have taken it out on you.โ
Nathan listened as she apologized, his eyes gentle. โZinnia, if you want to return to Jinston, you can. Iโll go with you. Letโs leave now. Thereโs still time,โ he said.
He noticed Zinnia wasnโt quite herself today, and he knew what was bothering her. Yannisโs birthday was approaching; Zinnia had promised to go back to celebrate it, but in the end, she broke her promise.
โNo, weโre not going back. You canโt take such a long journey in such a condition,โ Zinnia said firmly, shaking her head. She knew Nathan couldnโt endure such a trip anymore.
The trip back to Jinston would take four hours, and with so much traffic during the Christmas holidays, they might arrive home very late. Nathan couldnโt handle that kind of journey. He needed to focus on his recovery now without stress or worries.
However, Nathan gently ruffled Zinniaโs hair and said soothingly, โZinnia, Iโm really fine.โ
โNope, weโre staying put. Youโre in no shape for such a long trip,โ Zinnia declared, determined not to go back.
She might miss Yannisโs birthday celebration this time, but there would be other chances. She couldnโt let Nathan risk his life by taking such a long journey.
โIโll skip reading tonight, alright? Itโs Christmas Eve. How about we cook something special together?โ she asked.
Since Zinnia really didnโt want to leave, Nathan didnโt press the issue. He just handed her a glass of orange juice.
Holding the glass of orange juice in her hand and hearing it was Christmas Eve, Zinnia paused, a little dazed.
Sheโd been so caught up lately that she hadnโt noticed how quickly time had passed. โChristmas Eve,โ she murmured, as the realization slowly hit her.
Zinnia looked out the window and saw fireworks lighting up the sky, filling the small town with festive cheer. She could faintly hear children playing and chasing each other outside, their laughter mingling with the pops of firecrackers.
Zinnia and Nathanโs house stood halfway up the mountain, hidden away from everything. Zinnia hadnโt left the house in days, so she was surprised to realize it was already Christmas Eve.
Now she understood why Nathan would rather upset her than let her keep studying today.
Christmas Eve used to be her favorite time of year. It had a lively atmosphere, and Nathan would prepare all the special treats and never restrict her from having meat.
But this year, Zinnia had no mind for Christmas Eve. She hadnโt even spared a thought for the holiday cheer.
Nathan gazed out the window as well. โChristmas Eve already. This yearโs really coming to an end,โ he murmured.
The last light of sunset slipped away unnoticed, and a starry night took over. Beautiful fireworks burst overhead, lighting up the sky with dreamlike colors.
As the year wrapped up, marking eighteen years since they first met, sheโd still be right by Nathanโs side when the clock struck midnight on Christmas Day.
โNathan, letโs go downstairs,โ Zinnia said, taking a sip of the orange juice. Its gentle warmth briefly soothed her tangled thoughts. It was Christmas Eve, and staying cooped up in the home lab just didnโt feel right.
โSure, letโs go. Iโll make you something delicious,โ Nathan said, his eyes crinkling into a warm smile.
Chapter 318
Zinnia and Nathan had just reached the bottom of the stairs when a blur came bounding toward them.
โSunny!โ Zinniaโs eyes lit up with rare delight as she crouched down, pulling Sunny into her arms and affectionately rubbing his head.
Sunny hadnโt seen Zinnia in ages. He clung to her desperately, whimpering plaintively, and his tail wagged nonstop. He kept rubbing against her, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.
โAlright, Sunny. I know youโve felt left out, but Iโm back now,โ Zinnia said softly, gently stroking Sunnyโs head to comfort him.
Sunny whimpered as he nuzzled up to Zinnia. His tail pressed against her leg as if telling her how wronged he felt.
Sunny was a purebred dog with a smooth coat. Well-groomed and super perceptive, heโd been staying with Alfred for a bit since Zinnia left.
After returning, neither Zinnia nor Nathan was in good spirits. They were too drained to care for Sunny or even go pick him up. But seeing how persistently downcast Zinnia had been, Nathan finally brought Sunny home to cheer her up.
Zinniaโs heart ached at the sight of Sunnyโs glistening eyes. โWell, Sunny. I know youโre feeling wronged. How about some chicken breast later, okay? Donโt be upset anymore,โ she coaxed softly.
When Zinnia left the small town, she had originally intended to take Sunny with her. But Maelis was afraid of dogs and wouldnโt let her, so Zinnia had no choice but to entrust Sunny to Alfred and his family.
Sunny remained silent, simply curling his tail around Zinniaโs leg and letting out pitiful whimpers.
โZinnia,โ Nathan said from behind, handing her a sausage.
Zinnia took it, broke off a small piece, and fed it to Sunny.
Sunny nuzzled Zinniaโs fingertips before licking them with his damp tongue. Then he kept circling around her, never leaving her side.
Zinnia kept feeding Sunny while gently coaxing him, โThere, there, donโt feel left out anymore. Next time I go out, Iโll make sure to take you with me, okay?โ
Sunny didnโt make a sound. He just pressed close against Zinnia, and his tail wagged happily around her leg.
Zinnia adopted Sunny from Leon when she was five years old. The puppy was so irresistibly adorable that she couldnโt help but beg Leon to let her have him.
Zinnia and Nathan were practically raised by the folks in their small town. Everyone doted on them like they were their own kids. Little Zinnia, cute as a button, was totally spoiled rotten. Naturally, no one could ever reject her.
So, the home that had always been just Zinnia and Nathanโs became a new home for Sunny.
Sunny had always been clever. Whenever Zinnia and Nathan went into the mountains to gather herbs, he would trot alongside them with a basket in his mouth.
When Zinnia was little and couldnโt pull up the herbs by herself, Sunny would diligently dig them out with his paws.
Zinnia had taken excellent care of Sunny. He was strong, agile, and incredibly handsome. He looked as impressive as any pampered city pet dog.
With his head held high and majestic air, he was a striking sight that always turned heads when they went out together. This loyal companion had been by her side for twelve years now.
As if he understood Zinniaโs words, Sunny let out two soft whimpers in response. When he stood on his hind legs, he was almost as tall as Zinnia. Despite being a big dog, he was endlessly gentle and clingy around herโฆ
โAlright, eat by yourself now. Iโm going to help Nathan with dinner,โ Zinnia said.
Chapter 318
Zinnia gave Sunny a warm hug and gentle rub, feeling that her mood had lightened. With a final ruffle of his head, she placed the sausage in his bowl.
Whimpering softly, Sunny grabbed the sausage in his mouth and followed closely behind Zinnia. He hadnโt seen her in so long that he couldnโt bear to let her out of his sight, sticking to her like glue.
โIโm not going anywhere. Iโll stay right here,โ Zinnia assured Sunny. She bent down to stroke his head as he circled around her feet.
โZinnia, why donโt you play with Sunny for a bit?โ Nathan called out as he prepared cookies in the kitchen. With the door open, Zinnia could see everything he was doing inside.
Since Nathan would hide in the kitchen whenever he felt unwell to keep his symptoms from Zinnia, sheโd forbidden him from closing the kitchen door, and Nathan did as she said.