It was already getting late, but Nathan was still in good spirits, thanks to his afternoon nap.
Finishing eating, Zinnia stood up and said, โNathan, Fiona, Iโm heading upstairs now.โ
Nathan nodded. โAlright.โ
Zinnia scampered upstairs, but instead of heading to her room, she slipped straight into the home lab.
Though sheโd promised Nathan not to overwork herself these days, Zinnia just couldnโt resist the urge to sneak into the home lab.
โSince Giselle said this prescription works, I have to study it inside out,โ Zinnia thought.
Fiona watched Zinniaโs retreating figure and frowned. โZinnia seems so preoccupied these days. She didnโt even ask about fireworks this year.โ
In previous years around this time, Zinnia would have been begging them to set off fireworks with her. Sheโd never have gone back to her room so early. Instead, sheโd insist they stay up and play with her a little longer.
Due to Zinniaโs delicate health, Nathan never allowed her to stay up late, except during the Christmas holiday, when heโd make an exception.
โSheโs growing up now and has her own little secrets,โ Nathan said, his voice warm.
โNathan, thereโs an urgent matter at the company. I have to leave tonight,โ Fiona said, her eyes shimmering with anticipation as she looked at him.
She added, โItโs a major project overseas. If I take it, I might not be back for three years. If you want me to stayโฆโ
Fiona looked at Nathan, her eyes betraying a rare flicker of emotion. Her hands on her knees tightened involuntarily. If she succeeded in this overseas project, she could be promoted straight to headquarters.
But deep down, Fiona longed for Nathan to say something. With just one word from him, sheโd come back in a heartbeat.
Fiona searched Nathanโs eyes intently, hoping to find the answer she longed for. โWeโve known each other for over a decade,โ she thought. โDoes he feel anything for me?โ
Nathanโs eyes were gentle. โSafe travels, and all the best with your work.โ
The light in Fionaโs eyes dimmed as she realized Nathan had turned her down. Forcing a smile, she said, โMy flight is at midnight. Will you see me off?โ
Nathanโs brow furrowed slightly. โIโll bring Zinnia along to see you off,โ he said.
Fiona smiled faintly. โNever mind. Letโs not bother Zee. Just tell her Iโm leaving tomorrow, or she wonโt sleep tonight.โ Now that things had come to this, she clearly didnโt plan on sticking around.
Fiona looked Nathan straight in the eye and spread her arms. โNathan, Iโm about to leave, and it might be years before we see each other again. Weโve been friends for over a decade. How about one last hug?โ
Nathan looked at her, falling silent for a few moments. Fiona thought he was going to turn her down, so she slowly dropped her hands.
Right then, Nathan stood up, and he and Fiona shared a brief hug.
Fiona gave a gentle squeeze around his waist. โNathan, you and Zee take care,โ she whispered. She quickly stepped back. That brief embrace was enough for her.
Then Fiona dragged out the suitcase sheโd hidden behind the door. Sheโd packed it up ages ago, ready for her departure.
Her flight wasnโt actually at midnight. It was at 10 p.m. Coincidentally, she and Nathan had first met at 10 p.m., so it was also a good time to say goodbye.
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Sheโd tried her best, but some things just werenโt meant to be. Since they couldnโt be together, at least they could part as friends.
After Fiona left, Nathan headed upstairs with a mug of warm milk in hand.
Reaching the top of the stairs, Nathan wasnโt the least bit surprised to see the light spilling from the door of the home lab. He pushed it open and stepped inside.
He didnโt see Zinnia at first. A sliver of light spilled from the herb storage area. As Nathan approached, he saw her petite figure rummaging through the herb cabinets, completely absorbed in her task.
Zinnia murmured the names of the herbs under her breath as she searched through the herb cabinets.
Hearing movement behind her, Zinnia turned and gave a sheepish grin, hastily hiding the herbs behind her back. โNathan, here you are. I just came in to take a look.โ
โWorking on that prescription?โ Nathan said, instantly recognizing the formula just from hearing Zinnia list the herbs.
Seeing that Nathan had caught her, Zinnia stopped hiding and brought out the herbs sheโd been concealing behind her back.
โYeah,โ she admitted, โI wanted to test this formula first. These herbs are all pretty common. Some are even downright ordinary. A few are extremely potent, while others are so mild that theyโre practically inert.โ
โIโve never seen a formula like this before,โ Zinnia murmured, puzzled. โIs Florivive really that miraculous? Even the ancient texts donโt mention its origin, habitat, or what it looks like.โ
They had all the herbs for the prescription, except for one key ingredientโFlorivive. What made the formula strange was how the other ingredients were so ordinary, yet the combination itself was something Zinnia and the others had never considered.
Zinnia thought, โThe unique thing about this formula is that legendary Florivive. Nathan said this prescription has been passed down in the Evans family for over a century. With how much the world has changed, could we really still find something as mythical as Florivive?โ
Nathan walked over and handed Zinnia the milk. In a warm, gentle voice, he said, โZinnia, you must understand that every healer has their own approach. There are countless practitioners in the world, each with their unique treatment methods and prescriptions.โ
โYeah,โ Zinnia said. She knew that, but when it came to Nathanโs health, she just couldnโt help but worry about every little thing.
โNathanโs health is just too fragile now,โ Zinnia thought anxiously. โI canโt afford even the slightest mistake. Three months? Thatโs far too short.โ
Zinnia hung her head, her voice tinged with dejection as she said, โI wonder when the destined one Giselle mentioned will arrive and who they could possibly be.โ
She couldnโt help but worry, thinking, โWho exactly is this destined one? When will they show up? Will we be able to wait for them in time? What if itโs already too late to help?โ
Compared to Zinniaโs anxiety, Nathan was much calmer. In a gentle tone, he assured her, โThe right person will come when the time is right. Donโt worry too much.โ
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