Chapter 323

Under the gazebo in the courtyard, Fiona held her coffee, gazing at Nathan across from her. She asked, “Now that you’re back this year, how long are you staying?”

Nathan had disappeared six months earlier, leaving Fiona clueless about his whereabouts. He’d always been shrouded in mystery. She knew Nathan’s identity was far from ordinary. The small town was never meant to be a permanent home for Zinnia and Nathan. They were bound to leave eventually.

Nathan lowered his head and took a sip of coffee. “Probably about a month. Zinnia still needs to go back to school,” he murmured. The rich aroma filled his mouth, gradually soothing the discomfort in his throat.

“One month,” Fiona murmured when she heard the timeframe, feeling sad that he was leaving again so soon.

Fiona looked up at Nathan and asked, “What do you think of me relocating my law firm to Jinston?”

“Fiona, you’re coming back?” Zinnia asked, sitting beside Nathan and nibbling on the pistachios he’d shelled for her.

In front of the gazebo, Nathan had set up a screen for Zinnia, playing a movie. Christmas Eve was for late-night chats. Fiona’s folks had passed away in a crash when she was seven, so home meant being by herself. That was why she stayed with Zinnia and Nathan each year, finding solace in their company during the long night.

Fiona’s deep eyes curved with a smile. “Exactly. With all of you back home, it’s been lonely for me overseas. My law firm is well-established now, and the company happens to be considering opening a branch office back home. This is the perfect time for me to return.”

She said to Zinnia, “Zinnia, now that you’re in Jinston, wouldn’t it be nice if I came to keep you company, too?”

With everyone back home and having built a solid foundation for herself, Fiona longed to return and be by their side.

“Fiona, there’s no need to rush back. Focus on your law firm first. I’m in 12th grade now, and who knows where I’ll end up after this,” Zinnia said, glancing toward Nathan.

Their future was still up in the air. No one could say whether they’d stay in Jinston or end up somewhere else. Even Zinnia herself wasn’t sure if she’d remain in Jinston in the end. If something really happened to Nathan, she couldn’t begin to imagine what her life would become.

Fiona turned to Nathan, wanting to hear his opinion. “Nathan?”

Nathan’s eyes showed a hint of concern. “Did something happen while you were overseas?”

Fiona shook her head. “No, nothing happened. I just wanted to come back. That’s all. Honestly, I miss our life back home much more than overseas.”

Fiona had built a thriving career overseas, yet she yearned to return home. She had gone abroad to better herself, and now that she’d established herself, she wanted to return. After all, both Nathan and Zee were in the country.

Nathan said gently, “You’ve built a successful career overseas.”

Fiona lowered her gaze slightly. ‘He doesn’t want me back,’ she thought.

“Of course, the decision to return is entirely yours,” Nathan said, his voice gentle and clear. “If you want to come back, you can. Things are going well here, and with your abilities, you could easily make your mark.”

He stated the facts objectively. All of Fiona’s professional connections were overseas, and she had graduated from a university in Germmiland. She was exceptionally capable. Despite her youth, she had already secured a leadership position at a domestic law firm. Building her career abroad would clearly be easier, but returning home would mean starting over completely.

Having grown up together, Nathan still hoped Fiona would think things through carefully before deciding to return, rather than coming back rashly.

Fiona gazed at Nathan’s face. She found his eyes were calm and serene, without a hint of personal bias. Her voice softened as she murmured, “I’ll think it over.”

Nathan nodded without another word. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Zinnia wince from the spicy snack Cheetos. He picked up the warm milk from the table and handed it to her. “Here, drink some milk.”

“Ugh, these Cheetos are so spicy!” Zinnia exclaimed as she took the cup of milk with both hands and obediently took a sip.

“Too spicy? Then don’t eat that,” Nathan said, moving the Cheetos away from Zinnia. He got her some chips and cookies instead.

Zinnia hadn’t eaten much at dinner, so during the night chat, Nathan brought her some snacks.

Fiona watched as Nathan doted on Zinnia, a bitter smile touching her lips. ‘The only one he truly cares about is Zee,’ she thought.

“You’ve got sauce all over your mouth,” Fiona said with an amused yet helpless smile as she noticed the mess at the corner of Zinnia’s lips. She picked up a napkin from the table and gently wiped it away for her.

Watching her, Nathan chuckled and said, “Don’t spoil her. Let her wipe her own mouth.”

Fiona shot Nathan a look and teased, “Pot calling the kettle black. You spoil Zinnia just as much as I do.” When it came to pampering Zinnia, Nathan was certainly no less guilty.

Since she was little, Zinnia was given everything she wanted and never had to lift a finger. The only hardship she ever faced was studying, but even then, Nathan paved the way for her.

Zinnia was truly Nathan’s most treasured one. She was spoiled rotten in the palm of Nathan’s hand since her childhood. No matter how much hardship he endured, Nathan always made sure Zinnia had nothing but the best.

Nathan just smiled quietly, saying nothing. Fiona remembered the first time she met Zinnia and Nathan. Both of them were dressed in tattered clothes, and Nathan was covered in wounds. Yet he protectively cradled a baby in his arms. Even though his hands were battered and bleeding, he never loosened his firm hold on the child.

When Nathan first arrived in the small town, he had nothing to his name but a set of acupuncture needles. To thank Giselle for the goat milk she gave them, he parted with the only set of needles he owned as payment.

Fiona gently wiped the sauce from the corner of Zinnia’s mouth, her eyes shining with a tender smile. “Zee was born to be spoiled,” she said.

“Fiona, you’re so sweet. I wonder who’ll be lucky enough to win your affection someday. That person would be the luckiest,” Zinnia said playfully. Having grown up being spoiled by them, she’d long taken it for granted.

Fiona smiled and gave Zee’s cheek a gentle pinch. “I’m completely smitten with you, Zee,” she said.

“Fiona, don’t tell me you like me? Oh, my, I’d be so flattered!” Zinnia suddenly blushed and covered her face with both hands.

With Fiona’s rare visit home and all the new faces and experiences around, Zinnia’s mood had noticeably lifted.

“Exactly, I adore you, Zee,” Fiona cooed, gently rubbing her on the nose.

Nathan watched as Fiona and Zinnia laughed and joked together.

Zinnia leaned back in her chair, glancing between Nathan and Fiona. “Nathan’s here, and Fiona is, too. All we’re missing is Quincey. Wonder when he’ll show up.”

Quincey was the only one missing. Every Christmas, the four of them had always celebrated together.

Right then, the courtyard gate creaked open, and Quincey walked in, tall and striking in a well-tailored black suit. “Who’s been thinking of me?” he asked playfully.

“Quincey!” Zinnia’s eyes lit up in surprise.

“He’s back,” Nathan said, unsurprised.

Fiona teased Quincey, “You’re really late this year. What kept you?”

Quincey’s usually rugged face flushed slightly when he saw Fiona. “Something came up this year.”

“Now that Quincey’s back, we’re all together!” Zinnia said cheerfully.

In the middle of their conversation, a sudden crackle of firecrackers erupted outside, followed by bursts of fireworks. Only then did they realize midnight had quietly arrived.

Zinnia beamed at them. “Merry Christmas, Nathan, Fiona, and Quincey!”

“Merry Christmas, Zinnia,” Nathan said softly, his eyes warm with affection.

Fiona turned to Nathan beside her. “Merry Christmas, Nathan,” she said gently.

“Merry Christmas, Fiona,” Quincey said, his gaze fixed on her. But when he noticed her eyes remained on Nathan, a shadow of disappointment crossed his face.