Chapter 327
Amid their laughter, Nathan came out holding a bowl. โWhat are you two talking about?โ
Fiona laughed, โWe were just talking about whether Zinniaโs been getting more love letters at school. Back when she was in the small town, she got so many they nearly filled half the storage room.โ
โDid she?โ Nathanโs brows furrowed slightly at the mention. Having been away for half a year, he realized with a pang that heโd missed out on part of her growing up.
Quincey also walked out, chiming in, โRight. Zinnia is so pretty. She stands out wherever she goes. She must have gotten plenty these past six months, huh?โ
Zinnia rolled her eyes helplessly. โNo,โ she replied.
It dawned on Nathan that Zinnia had almost grown up, becoming more beautiful by the day. Even when she had a bit of baby fat, boys in the small town fought over her.
The kids in the small town would argue over who Zinnia liked best. Sometimes, when one of them lost and burst into tears, Nathan would come over with candy to cheer them up.
Nathan frowned, concern evident on his face. โReally? Zinnia, youโre still young. There are things you might not know how to handle yet. If you ever have something you canโt manage, promise youโll come to me.โ
Zinnia stamped her foot in exasperation at Nathanโs solemn and earnest tone.
She said, โOh, Nรกthan. Why would I lie to you? There really isnโt a letter! When I first got to school, my reputation was already ruined. Plus, Iโm lazy, dumb, and always craving snacks. Who would ever like someone like me?โ
Zinnia had a pretty clear self-assessment. She thought she was lazy, dumb, and gluttonous, so no one would like her.
Hearing Zinniaโs self-deprecating words, Nathan felt a sharp pang in his chest. He walked over to her and said, โWho says no one would ever like you, Zinnia? You deserve all the love in the world.โ
At the thought of his own negligence and the suffering she endured during his six-month absence, Nathan lowered his gaze.
During those two months with the Shaw family, Zinnia endured the worst malice sheโd ever known in her first sixteen years. The blows from her so-called family left wounds that couldnโt be ignored.
Though she claimed not to care now, there was a time when Zinnia endured relentless emotional abuse from the Shaw family. It was from Yannis, her brother, and from Maelis, her mother, and from the disgusted stares of everyone else around her.
She was once cradled and protected so tenderly by Nathan. He left her side just for once, and she was utterly shattered.
Nathan had sheltered Zinnia so well since childhood, and the townspeople were kind-hearted, so when the overwhelming malice from the Shaw family came crashing down, it left a mark on Zinniaโs heart that she would never forget.
But truthfully, if it had just been the Shaw familyโs abuse, Zinnia wouldnโt have been so affected. What truly wounded her was that Nathan happened to leave her.
Zinnia suddenly turned sensitive, and pain flickered in Nathanโs eyes. Deep down, he knew he was the one who had let her hurt.
Seeing the guilt in Nathanโs eyes, Zinnia pursed her lips for a moment and then broke into a bright smile. โI know. Someoneโs bound to like a girl as wonderful as me!โ
โAlright, time for breakfast! The little ones over there are waiting for you to play with them,โ Fiona said as she and the others set the freshly cooked breakfast on the table.
The kids sat at one square table, and the adults sat at another small round table. As several of them took their seats, a bowl of exquisitely crafted colorful puddings was placed in front of Zinnia.
There were ones shaped like persimmons, little pandas, rabbits, piglets, yellow chicks, and even ones that looked just like pearls. Each one was utterly adorable in its chubby way. Nathan had woken up early that morning to make them fresh.
Zinnia adored beautiful things. Even her food had to be aesthetically pleasing, and Nathan indulged her every whim.
After breakfast, the kids swarmed around Zinnia, chattering away.
โZinnia, come play with us. We found a new stream. Itโs so clear that you can see tiny fish and shrimp swimming in it. The banks are covered with wildflowers, and itโs so pretty that youโll love it!โ a kid said.
While Nathan, Fiona, and Quincey were clearing the table, they noticed Zinnia being swarmed by the kids. The three of them exchanged knowing smiles.
Every Christmas, a crowd of kids would swarm to the house, all vying for Zinnia to play with them.
Zinnia also loved playing with the little ones. Among them, she was the undisputed queen bee. If she gave an order, no one would dare say no. She absolutely relished every bit of her leadership.
After all, in the small town, everyone, including Nathan, still saw Zinnia as just a kid. But among the little ones, she was the queen bee, calling the shots.
In years past, Zinnia would have happily joined them to play. But this year, she just didnโt feel the same.
Zinnia pursed her lips slightly and glanced toward Nathan. She was worried about him.
Seeing the worry in Zinniaโs eyes, Nathan walked over and gently ruffled the top of her head. In a gentle voice, he said, โGo on. Play with the kids for a while. Iโll make you something tasty for lunch when you come back.โ
โBut-โ Zinnia started, wanting to say more.
Nathan looked down at her gently. โDidnโt you promise me youโd enjoy yourself these two days?
โYou kept saying you wanted to come back to the small town, but now that weโre back, you havenโt really had any fun yet. Go on. Have some fun. Donโt worry about me.โ
Now that Christmas had finally arrived, Nathan hoped Zinnia could take this chance to unwind and soak up the festive spirit.
Looking into Nathanโs eyes, Zinnia lowered her head again and murmured, โOkay.โ
โTake some candy and your favorite pistachios,โ Nathan said with a gentle smile. He picked up the treats from the table and tucked them into her pocket.
โHere are some sparklers. Remember to share them with others. Donโt go near the water. It might not be that cold today, but still, stay out of the stream. If your socks get wet, call me immediately. No walking home barefoot,โ Nathan reminded her.
Zinnia puffed out her cheeks. โIโm not a little kid anymore. Why do you still treat me like one?โ she complained, listening to Nathan go through his usual litany of reminders, just like he always did whenever she went out.
โIn my eyes, youโll always be a little kid,โ Nathan said, his eyes soft with a gentle smile.
Fiona and the others stood behind, watching Zinnia and Nathan with fond smiles. โAlright, go on and have fun,โ Fiona said gently.
After packing everything Zinnia might need and giving her all the usual reminders, Nathan pinched her cheek affectionately. He never joined her when she went out to play. He couldnโt be the boss among the kids.
โZinnia!โ Simon and the other kids called from outside the yard.
Zinnia gave Nathan a worried look. โIโm going out to play for a while. If anything comes up, promise youโll call me, okay?โ
Nathan nodded gently and said with a soft smile, โGo ahead. Take your time.โ
Zinnia stepped out of the yard, with Sunny trotting right behind her. Whenever Zinnia was home, Sunny would stick to her side, following her every move.
As Zinnia walked away, the gentle smile on Nathanโs face slowly faded. His gaze lingered on her until she disappeared beyond the courtyard. โYouโre already reluctant to let Zee go out and play,โ Fiona teased. โJust wait until she falls for someone, Youโll be bawling your eyes out.โ
โZinniaโs still so young.โ At the mere thought of that possibility, Nathanโs brow furrowed deeply.
โZee will come of age in just five months. Once she starts college, sheโll have no shortage of admirers. Youโd better prepare yourself for that, Nathan,โ Fiona reminded.
โTime really flies. Eighteen years have passed in the blink of an eye, and before I know it, Zinnia will be all grown up,โ Nathan thought.
His eyes trembled slightly. โWhat a pity. It seems I wouldnโt live to see that day,โ he pondered.
Fiona waved a deck of cards in her hand. โNow that Zeeโs gone, how about a round of Go Fish?โ
In previous years, whenever Zinnia went out to play with the kids, the rest of them would just stay home and play Go Fish.