Chapter 326

Nathan beckoned to her and called out, “Come downstairs for breakfast.”

“Okay,” Zinnia replied as she descended the stairs.

As soon as Zinnia came downstairs, the kids said in unison, “Zinnia, here you are. Merry Christmas!”

“Have you guys eaten yet?” Zinnia asked, looking at Nathan.

Nathan and the others hadn’t eaten yet. “Not yet. We were waiting for you,” Nathan said. “Let’s eat together.”

Fiona emerged from the kitchen. Her eyes were soft with a gentle smile as she saw Zinnia awake. “Zee, you’re up. Let’s get ready to eat. I made noodles, some colorful pudding, and even a few muffins. Which one would you like?”

Quincey walked over from the kids’ table, grinning. “Well, our little sleepyhead is finally awake.”

Zinnia remembered what she’d heard last night. She glanced at Fiona, then at Quincey, and finally at Nathan.

“What’s wrong?” Nathan asked, noticing Zinnia’s distracted expression and troubled look. Concern clouded his eyes as he moved toward her.

Zinnia kept glancing among them, remaining silent.

Fiona stepped forward with concern in her eyes. “Zee?”

“Oh, it’s nothing, Fiona. I’d like some pudding,” Zinnia said lightly.

No matter how the others were, their love and care for Zinnia was beyond question.

“Alright, I’ll go make it,” Fiona replied. Then she turned to Nathan. “What would you like?”

None of them had eaten yet.

“I’ll handle the cooking. You all get some rest,” Nathan said. After carefully checking on Zinnia and making sure she was alright, he headed to the kitchen.

“Let me give you a hand,” Fiona said, following him.

“No need. Just sit tight for a bit,” Nathan said softly.

Fiona paused, watching Nathan disappear into the kitchen.

“I’ll help,” Quincey said, glancing at Fiona before following into the kitchen.

Standing behind them, Zinnia suddenly realized that Fiona’s gaze would often unconsciously linger on Nathan, while Quincey’s eyes kept drifting back to Fiona.

She couldn’t believe she’d never noticed this love triangle before. Zinnia sighed to herself, thinking, ‘What a mess. The adult world is just so complicated, with so much to consider.’

Fiona noticed how Zinnia kept spacing out today. She walked over and gave her cheek a playful pinch. “Why are you looking so glum on Christmas Day?”

“Fiona, grown-up life is just so complicated,” Zinnia said honestly.

Fiona chuckled as she watched Zinnia sigh like a world-weary little adult. “What’s happened to you, Zinnia?” she teased. “You’re still so young, and you’re already thinking about life?”

“Nothing really. I’m just thinking how hard it is to grow up,” Zinnia murmured, her gaze drifting toward the nearby kitchen.

Nathan and Quincey were bustling about in the kitchen.

“Zee, growing up isn’t easy for anyone. But you have us. Nathan and I will always have your back. All you need to do is be happy, okay?” Fiona said with a smile, gently ruffling her hair. She wasn’t sure what had prompted Zinnia’s feelings.

They had endured hardships growing up, but when it came to Zinnia, they vowed she would never have to suffer the same. They climbed their way up the ladder with all their efforts just to give her a better life.

“Come here, I will style your hair for you,” Fiona said, leading Zinnia to sit on the couch.

Preoccupied with her thoughts, Zinnia had simply tied her hair into a low ponytail.

Once seated on the couch, Fiona retrieved a vanity case from beneath the coffee table. She opened it, took out a wooden comb, and gently ran it through Zinnia’s hair.

Zinnia grew up without parents and was raised by Nathan. While Nathan served as her father figure, Fiona fulfilled the maternal role in Zinnia’s upbringing.

Since Zinnia was ten years younger, Nathan, precociously intelligent from childhood, cared for Zinnia. He sought advice from the townsfolk and figured things out himself to raise her.

Fiona lost her parents at a young age and was raised by the kind folks in her small town. Growing up, she learned the harsh realities of life early, became sensitive to others’ moods and needs, and matured before her time.

By the time Zinnia started forming memories, both Nathan and Fiona were already in their teens. They cherished and doted on her from the bottom of their hearts.

Fiona wove a fishtail braid into Zinnia’s soft hair. As her slender fingers moved gently through the silky strands, she teased, “Zinnia, you’re growing up so beautiful. I wonder who’ll be worthy of you one day.”

She lowered her gaze to Zinnia, who was sitting properly before her. Zinnia was strikingly beautiful, and her delicate features radiated a quiet charm.

During these six months apart, Zinnia had hit her growth spurt: Compared to her soft, youthful charm from half a year ago, she was showing hints of beauty in the years to come.

‘Even without a touch of makeup, she’s already so beautiful. If she ever put in effort to dress up, I can’t imagine how stunning she’d be. She’s still so young. She’ll only become more beautiful as she gets older,’ Fiona thought.

Her eyes shimmered with mixed emotions. ‘Zee has grown so beautiful. We’ll probably have our hands full keeping suitors away in the future,’ she thought.

Back when Zinnia was studying in the small town, she received so many love letters that Nathan would turn livid with anger.

Later, Nathan made a special trip to the school to sternly discuss the matter with the teacher. After repeated warnings from the teacher against puppy love, the situation gradually subsided.

But Zinnia still got love letters now and then. Every so often, Nathan helped her pack her schoolbag, and one letter tumbled out. One could practically see the vein throbbing in his temple in frustration.

When Zinnia really grew up, they might worry a lot about her.

“Zinnia, have you been getting any more love letters in Jinston?” Fiona teased.

Zinnia’s cheeks flushed pink as she murmured hesitantly, “Fiona…”

“Zee, I haven’t seen you in six months. Can’t show some concern?” Fiona chuckled, amused by Zinnia’s bashful reaction.

During their chat, Fiona finished braiding Zinnia’s hair, revealing her radiant face. Then Fiona took out some lovely pearl hair clips and pinned them into Zinnia’s hair, one by one.

The kids in the small town always clung to Zinnia, mostly because she was so pretty that she looked just like a living doll.

Nathan had taken great care of Zinnia since she was little. She grew to be plump and rosy-cheeked.

Dressed in pretty princess dresses, she would stroll around the small town. Doting adults would fill her pockets with all kinds of treats. She lived the life of a little princess.

“No,” Zinnia said honestly.

Betty trashed her reputation before Zinnia moved to Jinston and started school. Everyone immediately assumed Zinnia was a bad person. Even after things were cleared up, she never received any love letters.

Still, people often complimented her looks and gave her chocolates, cookies, and little treats, but strangely, she had never received a love letter.

Zinnia didn’t know that Isaac had laid down the law in every student group chat. It said that no one was allowed to make a move on her. It cut off any potential suitors before they even had a chance.

Jackson entrusted him with this special mission the moment Isaac arrived at school.

The moment Jackson first laid eyes on Zinnia, he knew she would have no shortage of admirers.

He thought Zinnia was still so young. She was right in the midst of those turbulent high school years. It was an age when it was too easy for her to be swayed by the sweet talk of boys at school.

Since Zinnia hadn’t grown up, Jackson thought he should keep her safe as her cousin.