Chapter 321
โSimon, youโve got such a good memory. You still remember what I looked like half a year ago?โ Zinnia said with a smile, taking the bowl of chicken soup he handed her.
The aroma was wonderful. Giselle really knew how to make chicken soup, and Zinnia absolutely loved it.
Zinnia couldnโt help but smile at Simonโs grown-up mannerisms. The boy was only six, yet he still remembered exactly what she looked like back then.
Feeling challenged, Simon pouted. โOf course, I remember!โ he insisted.
โZinnia, how could you doubt me? Here, eat some more,โ Simon insisted, handing her another fried meatball.
At the adultsโ table, Nathan was surrounded by everyone. They were piling food onto his plate and urging him to eat more.
โNathan, make sure to eat well and donโt let work take a toll on your health,โ Giselle said with concern.
The once quiet and subdued reunion dinner soon turned lively with everyoneโs arrival, filled with cheerful chatter and laughter.
Having wolfed down their meals, the kids swarmed around Zinnia, running circles around her in excitement. โZinnia, letโs go play with fireworks!โ one of them shouted.
โSure, Iโll take you to get them,โ Zinnia said, sliding off her chair and gathering the excited children around her as they headed out.
The adults couldnโt help but smile as they watched the little ones trailing after Zinnia.
With the kids gone, everyoneโs eyes turned to Nathan. As people aged, they couldnโt help but worry about their childrenโs marriages. Nathan was no spring chicken himself. Heโd be hitting thirty in just a couple of years.
โWith Zinnia gone, thereโs suddenly so much more room!โ someone said.
โNathan, youโre not getting any younger. Have you thought about settling down?โ another asked.
โIโm in no hurry. Zinniaโs still young,โ Nathan said softly with a faint smile on his face.
โZinniaโs all grown up now and has found her family. Itโs time you started thinking about yourself, Nathan,โ Giselle said. โJust look at you. Youโve lost so much weight since I last saw you. You really need someone who truly cares for you.โ
โAlright, Iโll start looking when Iโm free,โ Nathan replied, knowing they genuinely cared about him.
โExactly! Nathan, youโre such a good guy. Your medical skills are top-notch. Youโre sure to find a wonderful wife,โ Giselle added, and everyone else smiled warmly.
When the kids pulled Zinnia along, Fiona watched and cautioned, โTake it slow. Donโt make her fall.โ
โA wonderful wife? Isnโt Fiona a good choice here? You two are about the same age. You grew up together and clearly shared a special bond,โ Chandler said. At his words, everyone turned to look at Fiona and Nathan.
โI remember it was Fiona who first brought Nathan and Zinnia to our small town back then,โ someone said.
โExactly. Youโre both at the right age. Fionaโs working at a law firm now, and sheโs such a beauty. You two make such a perfect match,โ another added.
Hearing everyoneโs matchmaking remarks, Fiona couldnโt help but glance at Nathan, who was sitting near her.
โChandler, weโre not right for each other. Fiona deserves someone better,โ Nathan said gently, his brows slightly knitted.
Tessa glanced at Nathan, who had such a great personality, and then at the gorgeous Fiona near him. โWhat a beautiful couple! And theyโve been together since they were kids,โ she thought.
She asked, โNot right for each other? Are you worried Fiona will mind your disfigured face? Come on. Sheโs not the shallow type who judges by appearances.โ
Thinking Nathan was worried about being rejected because of his scarred face, Tessa tilted her head toward Fiona and said warmly, โFiona, would you ever mind Nathanโs scars?โ
Nathan had never removed his mask in the small town, so none of the townspeople had seen his true face.
Fiona glanced at Nathan. His chin was the only feature visible beneath the thin mask. Through it, she could see his gentle eyes, warm as ever, yet devoid of romantic affection.
She forced a smile. โI donโt mind at all. But really, stop playing matchmaker. Weโre both focused on our careers right now.โ
Hearing her words, Nathan turned to look at Fiona, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips.
Zinnia emerged with an armful of fireworks, a group of kids trailing behind her. She was clearly their ringleader.
โWow, Zinnia. Your fireworks are so pretty, even prettier than the ones my mom brought back from the city,โ a child exclaimed.
โPick whichever ones you like to play with, but be careful, okay? Donโt burn yourselves,โ Zinnia said as she led them to an open area outside the courtyard. She kneeled down and carefully set the fireworks on the ground.
Even though Zinnia hadnโt asked for fireworks this year, Nathan still went out of his way to get her plenty. But unlike before, she hadnโt touched a single one. Theyโd just been sitting in the storage room, gathering dust.
In previous years, Zinnia would have been the first out playing with the other kids in the small town.
Now, the kids were eagerly picking out the prettiest sparklers.
โZinnia, arenโt you gonna play with us? You always loved playing the most before,โ one of them said.
The kids had always looked forward to playing with fireworks with Zinnia more than anything else each year. But now, as they looked up at her, they found that she stood off to the side, not joining in their fun.
โGo ahead and play. Iโll watch,โ Zinnia said with a gentle smile.
Simon walked closer to Zinnia, his face full of worry as he looked up at her. โZinnia, did something happen? You donโt seem happy.โ
Zinnia had barely smiled all evening, her expression clouded with unspoken worries. Kids were remarkably perceptive, and it didnโt take long for them to notice she wasnโt happy.
โNo, not at all,โ Zinnia replied, passing out sparklers to the little ones. She paused for a beat at Simonโs comment, wondering if she was really that transparent with her unhappiness.
Fiona walked over and crouched down beside Zinnia, giving her cheek a gentle poke. โYou look like a little sourpuss,โ she teased. Then, softening her tone, she added, โWhatโs wrong? Tell me whatโs going on.โ
She noticed Zinnia looking totally droopy, like the most miserable little pickle on the planet.
Zinnia shook her head and glanced at Fiona beside her. โNothing, Fiona. Are you done eating?โ
Fiona had been busy herself over the years. Ever since college and then starting her career, she came back less often. She was about the same age as Nathan, and had basically grown up together with both him and Zinnia.
When Nathan was busy and couldnโt take care of Zinnia, he would entrust Zinnia to Fiona. Since they were little, Zinnia had always been Fionaโs little shadow, following her everywhere, and Fiona treated her like a beloved younger sister.
โIโm done eating. So I came to see why you are not happy,โ Fiona said, holding out a plate of popcorn and popping one into Zinniaโs mouth.
Fiona lowered her gaze, carefully studying Zinniaโs expression. โDid you have a hard time with your new family?โ she asked gently.
Everyone in the small town knew the Shaw family had taken Zinnia back. They thought Zinnia must have had a tough time with her gentle nature since that family looked so hard to get along with.
When Nathan left, Fiona had originally planned to take Zinnia to live in Gernmiland. But Nathan insisted Zinnia should have the chance to experience life with her family since she had never stayed with her real family.
Trusting that Nathan would surely make proper arrangements, Fiona had finally put her mind at ease.
Fiona had been swamped with work at her law firm in Gernmiland, and the distance made it impossible for her to look after Zinnia properly.
Whenever they spoke on the phone, Zinnia only shared the good news. It wasnโt until Fiona heard that Nathan and Zinnia had returned that she dropped everything and flew back from Gernmiland today.
Hearing Fionaโs question about her family, Zinnia munched on popcorn and replied, โNo. Theyโve all gotten what they deserved.โ