Chapter 345
โWhere are we going, Nathan?โ Zinnia asked.
Zinnia had changed into a simple, unadorned outfitโa white blouse with a black skirt. Her long, soft hair was pulled up into a neat bun, giving her a quiet, graceful look befitting the occasion.
Nathan also changed into a simple outfitโa white shirt and black slacks. In his hands, he carried two bouquets. One was roses, and the other was jasmine.
Nathan handed Zinnia one of the rose bouquets. โWeโre going to visit two people.โ
Since Zinnia and Nathan were heading out alone, Jackson and the others didnโt feel it was appropriate to tag along. โBe careful on the road, and give us a call if you need anything,โ Jackson reminded them.
โGo ahead,โ said Yannis.
โAre we going up the mountain, Nathan?โ Zinnia asked.
Zinnia and Nathan left the courtyard, following a narrow path up the mountainside behind the house. This whole mountain belonged to just the two of them.
โYes,โ Nathan murmured, walking ahead with Zinnia following behind.
The narrow path was steep, paved with flagstones still slick from last nightโs rain. Zinnia and Nathan walked cautiously, watching their steps.
โNeed me to hold your hand, Zinnia?โ Nathan stopped in his tracks and reached back toward her.
Zinnia shook her head. โIโm fine, Nathan.โ
Nathan lowered his eyes, his voice tinged with gentle mockery. โWhat, Zinnia? Are you saying I canโt even hold your hand anymore?โ
Zinnia shook her head. โNo, itโs not that, Nathan. Itโs just slippery. Iโm worried that if I lose my footing, I might end up pulling you down with me.โ
The path was barely wide enough for one person, still slick from last nightโs rain. Zinnia hesitated, afraid she might lose her balance and take Nathan down with her.
Seeing the calm, downcast expression on Nathanโs face, Zinnia gently placed her hand in his and said softly, โLetโs walk slowly. I donโt want us to fall.โ
Nathan took her hand and led her forward at a gentle pace. โAlright, letโs take it slow,โ he said softly.
Zinnia followed Nathan step by step up the steep mountainside, a place sheโd never ventured before. She had no idea what lay up there. Nathan had never mentioned it to her.
Zinnia looked around curiously and asked, โNathan, does anyone actually live on this mountain? How come I never knew about it?โ
Nathan said he was taking her to see two people, and Zinnia instinctively assumed someone still lived on the mountain.
Nathan said quietly, โYouโll see when we get there.โ
The two walked slowly along the narrow path, flanked by a riot of vibrant, blooming flowers that seemed to embrace them. It was as if they were treading a living corridor of blossoms.
Zinnia had no idea how long theyโd been walking, chatting idly with Nathan about everything and nothing. When they finally reached the top of the mountain, two gravestones stood solemn and prominent at the very center.
Zinniaโs voice trailed off. She froze, stunned. On the gravestones were two faces she recognized. Sheโd seen them before on Jacksonโs phone.
Zinnia felt a lump in her throat. โNathanโฆโ
These were Nathanโs parentsโ gravestones. Zinnia suddenly realized that ever since she could remember, Nathan would always spend a few days each year climbing this mountain, but he had never told her his parents were buried here.
Nathan gently took her hand and led her forward, saying softly, โThese are my parents.โ
Zinnia instinctively started to speak, but Nathan gently interrupted her. โZinnia,โ he said softly, โyou always say youโre my student, but to me, youโre family. If you donโt mind, you can call them Mom and Dad, too.โ
Zinnia blinked playfully and said, โSo, Nathan, you wonโt be an only child anymore!โ
In Zinniaโs heart, Nathanโs parents werenโt just his family. They felt like her own, too.
Nathan chuckled lightly. โIf they knew they had such a beautiful daughter like you, Zinnia, theyโd be over the moon down there.โ
โReally? Would they like me?โ Zinnia couldnโt help but laugh at Nathanโs description, her eyes crinkling into crescents.
โMom and Dad,โ Zinnia said softly, bowing her head slightly. โIโm Zinnia. Iโm so sorry that Nathan never told me about you. I wouldโve come sooner if Iโd known. Please donโt be upset with me. I promise Iโll visit you often from now on.โ
Zinnia bent down and gently placed the bouquet of roses in front of the gravestone. Roses were Hannahโs favorite flowers.
Zinnia gazed at the photos on the gravestones. The man had striking, refined features, with gentle brows and eyes that seemed to hold a quiet smile. The woman was graceful and elegant, with beautiful features. Her soft eyes held a tender, gentle smile.
She studied the photos closely, thinking, โNathanโs facial structure is just like his dadโs, but his features are all from his mom. He inherited his motherโs beauty, yet kept the best traits of his father. Honestly, heโs a perfect blend of both parentsโ finest qualities.โ
Listening to Zinnia, Nathan bent down and gently placed the white jasmine he held. White jasmine had always been Richardโs favorite. While Hannah loved vibrant colors, Richard preferred softer, more subtle shades.
Nathan thought, โMom, Dad, can you hear a sweet daughter, the one you always wished for, calling you Mom and Dad? If you were here, I know youโd absolutely adore Zinnia.โ
Zinnia knelt on the ground, carefully clearing the fallen leaves from the base of the gravestone. โNathan, if youโd told me earlier we were coming to pay respects to Mom and Dad, I would have brought more offerings for them,โ she said.
Nathan hadnโt visited in some time, and fallen leaves had accumulated. He said gently, โMom and Dad wonโt blame you, Zinnia. Just seeing you here would make them happy.โ
Hearing Zinnia call them โMom and Dadโ so unreservedly, Nathan lowered his gaze, shielding the emotions flickering beneath.
He crouched beside her, gently brushing away the fallen leaves with his fingers. As he looked at the gentle, tolerant smiles on the gravestones, his lashes trembled slightly.
Nathan thought to himself, โMom, Dad. I did something selfish and dishonorable. You always taught me not to be dishonorable, but this time, I just couldnโt help myself. When we meet again, I hope you wonโt scold me.โ
โNathan, didnโt Jackson say he buried Mom and Dad overseas? When did you bring them back?โ Zinnia asked curiously.
โThe following year,โ Nathan said softly, โI moved them back.โ
The following year, once things had settled down a bit, Nathan had his parentsโ graves moved back.
Zinnia glanced at Nathan, a sudden thought crossing her mind. โWait, does Jackson even know you moved Mom and Dad back here? I think he still goes abroad every year to pay his respects.โ
Zinnia suddenly realized something and glanced at Jackson. If he didnโt know their parentsโ remains had been moved back, then all those years heโd been paying his respects abroad... It was all for nothing.
Zinnia couldnโt even begin to imagine how livid Jackson would look when he found out about this.
Nathan fell silent for a moment. It seemed he really had forgotten to tell Jackson. The heavy atmosphere was abruptly lit up by Zinniaโs innocent remark.
โMom and Dad, please donโt worry,โ Zinnia said softly. โI promise Iโll take good care of Nathan.โ With that, she lowered her head before the gravestones and bowed three times with deep reverence.
She thought, โMom, Dad, if you can really hear me, I have one small request. If youโre truly listening, please let Nathan recover. Iโd give anything for that.โ
Nathan watched her gesture and did the same. He thought, โMom, Dad, forgive me. I may not get another chance to visit you. If your spirits are watching over us, please bless Zinnia and keep her safe in the days to come.โ
After completing the three bows, the two of them rose to their feet in perfect unison.
Nathan gazed at the gentle smiles of his parents in the photograph. With Zinnia, who had stood by his side for eighteen years, he felt no fear of death at all.