Chapter 330
โNathan, you mustnโt overexert yourself anymore,โ Quincey said. His worry deepened as he noticed Nathanโs pale lips.
Given Nathanโs current condition, he should focus on rest and avoid exertion. Staying in Jinston would be best for his health, as the cityโs excellent medical facilities could provide immediate care in case of any emergency.
But he couldnโt bear to stay idle or waste precious time recuperating in Jinston. So he brought Zinnia back with him, practically giving up on his own health, just to cherish every last precious moment he could spend with her.
โDonโt worry. Itโs manageable,โ Nathan said, massaging his throbbing temples. His voice was hoarse, and his breathing slightly labored.
His chest tightened with each breath, and sharp pain pulsed through him. He swallowed hard, gripping the countertop even tighter as he fought the heavy ache.
โYouโre not feeling well again,โ Quincey said. He was exasperated by Nathanโs neglect of his health.
Nathan shut his eyes, his throat burning. He didnโt want to speak.
Quincey glared at Nathan. โManageable? It means the pain keeps getting worse. Youโre in so much agony that you canโt even speak. Nathan, do you ever care about your own health? Or are you only satisfied when you work yourself to death?โ
Quincey couldnโt help but feel frustrated and angry as he watched Nathan, who was clearly in pain, yet maintaining that calm facade.
No matter how dire the situation, even with his life hanging in the balance, Nathan remained utterly unflappable, never showing the slightest trace of fear.
โKeep it down,โ Nathan rasped, the words barely escaping his throat. Each syllable seemed to drain what little strength he had left.
Nathan couldnโt help looking toward the yard. Seeing Zinnia sitting safe and sound outside, he managed a shallow breath of relief.
โZinniaโs still young. Sheโll get scared and start crying,โ Nathan whispered, and he looked so fragile that he might vanish at any moment.
Quincey let out a helpless sigh. โYouโve always had that calm face since you were a kid. Honestly, I suspect nothing in this world could scare you.โ
In his over twenty years of life, Nathan had feared almost nothing, except for Zinnia, his one and only Achillesโ heel.
โHow could anyone not be afraid of something,โ Nathan murmured, his voice barely a whisper.
He added, โZinnia is coming of age this year. With her beauty, thereโll be no shortage of suitors. If you want to keep protecting her, you really need to focus on regaining your health.โ
Quincey gripped Nathanโs shoulder. โIf you donโt start looking after yourself, arenโt you worried Zinnia will be even more heartbroken later?โ
Nathan lowered his gaze, saying nothing. He knew things werenโt even at their worst yet, and Zinnia had already cried more than once.
He feared almost nothing. Heโd even come to terms with his impending death. But he couldnโt bear to see Zinnia cry or be unhappy.
โNathan,โ Quincey said in a deep voice. โNo matter what, Iโll scour the ends of the earth to find Florivive for you.โ
Nathan managed a faint, almost weary smile. โI appreciate it.โ
Quincey looked at him and asked, โShould we tell Fiona about your condition? I think she might have already noticed somethingโs off.โ
Nathan said quietly, โLetโs not trouble her with this.โ His meaning was clear. He didnโt want to talk about it anymore.
โNathan, about Fionaโฆโ Quincey trailed off. His expression hardened as he noticed the chill in Nathanโs eyes.
Given how smart Nathan was, there was no way that he didnโt sense Fionaโs feelings. He remained silent, just as Fiona did, because if they ever brought it up, their relationship would never be the same.
Fiona was fiercely proud. If she ever left, Zinnia would be heartbroken.
For the past few years, Fiona had spent a lot of time in Gernmiland. She knew a romance with Nathan just wasnโt in the cards.
Over the years, the two only met a handful of times on Zinniaโs birthday, Nathanโs birthday, and during Christmas. Beyond those occasions, they barely interacted.
Beyond the obligatory holiday greetings exchanged over text, Nathan rarely interacted with Fiona. Even when their conversations ran a bit longer, it was always about Zinnia.
Fiona had always known her boundaries. She had been friends with Nathan for many years, and she had never overstepped or made inappropriate moves. That was why Nathan didnโt dwell on it. Their relationship was purely platonic.
Nathan looked up at Quincey, his gaze cool and detached. โYou know I have no other intentions.โ
He and Fiona could never be more than friends. Their relationship was firmly set. Getting married and starting a family had never been part of Nathanโs plans. In fact, heโd never even given it a thought.
As for Quincey and Fiona, Nathan could only stay out of it. Matters of the heart were never something anyone could truly understand.
Quincey could tell from Nathanโs expression that he was telling the truth.
โNathan, have you ever thought about the fact that Zinnia is growing up every day? She wonโt always be by your side. One day, she wonโt need you anymore. Havenโt you considered your own life?โ Quincey sighed.
Honestly speaking, Quincey wasnโt too keen on Nathan being so emotionally invested in Zinnia.
Quincey thought, โNow that his health is failing, heโs already making all the arrangements for Zinniaโs future. But what if he recovers in the end? By then, he would have already handed her over to someone else. Heโd regret it bitterly.โ
When it came to Zinnia, Nathan always did everything to pave the way for her future, wanting her path to be smooth. Yet, he never considered leaving himself an escape route.
Sometimes, Quincey just wished Nathan would be a little more selfish and actually look after himself for once.
To Nathan, Zinnia was truly one of a kind and utterly irreplaceable! Perhaps even he himself couldnโt quite put a name to what he really felt for her.
Nathan pressed his lips into a thin line. โIโve never really thought about it. As long as Iโm alive, Zinnia is my priority. If the day comes when she doesnโt need me anymore, Iโll quietly step out of her life.โ
For a rare moment, uncertainty surfaced in Nathanโs eyes as he thought about a life without Zinnia.
Honestly, Nathan had never even considered being apart from Zinnia, not before his health declined, at least.
He would be there for her SATs and stay by her side through university. Even after she graduated, heโd still worry about her future career. In all his plans, Zinnia had never once been absent.
Ever since his health declined, what concerned Nathan most was what would happen to Zinnia if he wasnโt there.
Just the thought of it consumed Nathan with worry. He was terrified he might have overlooked something.
However, he had to admit heโd never thought about the day Zinnia might not need him anymore or would leave to live her own life. The idea made his chest feel tight.
Quincey asked, โNathan, are you really willing to let Yannis have Zinnia? Have you ever thought about what you truly feel for her?โ