Chapter 353
Realizing that Nathan noticed her hand, Zinnia pressed her lips uneasily.
โItโs almost healed. Iโm fine,โ she said reassuringly and opened her palm to show him.
Nathan reached out and gently took her hand, his fingers softly brushing over the gauze on her palm.
โHave you changed the dressing?โ he asked softly. Now that he was physically weak, Nathan could no longer look after Zinnia in every way.
โIโve already applied the medicine. Itโll be fine in a couple of days,โ Zinnia said nervously.
Nathan looked up at her and asked, โDid Yannis put it on for you?โ
With her injured hand, she couldnโt apply the dressing by herself. She hadnโt asked Nathan for help, and since Jackson was almost always in the room keeping watch over him, only Yannis was there to look after her.
โYeah,โ Zinnia replied.
โAre you feeling unwell? You look a bit pale,โ Nathan asked with concern.
As he looked up, he noticed how pale she was. He reached out to take her pulse.
โNathan, no. Itโs justโฆโ Zinnia instinctively avoided his hand as he reached to check her pulse, her expression turning slightly awkward.
As Zinnia avoided him, Nathanโs brows furrowed slightly.
Seeing Nathan frown, Zinnia grew nervous. โItโs justโฆ some menstrual cramps,โ she said hesitantly.
When Zinnia mentioned her cramps, Nathan immediately understood and didnโt press the matter.
He said softly, โZinnia, youโre not feeling well, so make sure to get plenty of rest these days, okay? Remember to use a heat patch, avoid cold water, and stay away from drafts. When youโre resting on the small couch this afternoon, wrap yourself in a blanket. And go to bed early tonight; donโt stay up too late. You tend to catch cold easily.โ
Nathanโs voice was weak but full of concern. โIf youโre really feeling under the weather, make yourself some ginger tea. I canโt look after you anymore, Zinnia. Youโll need to learn to take care of yourself.โ
Nathan lowered his gaze, his refined features shadowed with quiet melancholy.
Now, Zinnia has to rely on herself for everything. Iโm just a burden to her now. I canโt help her with anything anymore, Nathan thought bitterly.
โNathan, youโve looked after me for seventeen years. Donโt worry. Iโll take good care of myself, and Iโll take care of you too.โ Zinnia couldnโt bear hearing Nathanโs discouraging words.
She thought firmly, Heโs just unwell right now. For seventeen years, heโs selflessly cared for me without complaint. Now that heโs in trouble, itโs my turn to look after him.
Zinnia continued, โIโm not a kid anymore, Nathan. Donโt worry about me. What matters now is for you to rest and recover properly. Once youโre better, remember you promised to cook my favorite dishes for me.โ
Right now, what mattered most was Nathanโs health. He shouldnโt worry about her.
Nathan leaned back against the wall, his features softening, and a gentle smile played at his lips. โAlright,โ he said.
A thought crossed Nathanโs mind, and the light in his eyes dimmed a little. โZinnia, isnโt school starting soon? We should head back to Jinston."
Zinnia replied, โNathan, Iโve taken leave. Iโm not going anywhere until youโre fully recovered.โ
School started in a week, but Zinnia refused to leave until Nathan fully recovered.
Nathanโs health just wasnโt up for any travel at the moment. Even though Yellowsin was only a few hours away from Jinston, even that short trip would be too much for him to handle.
Nathan said gently, โDonโt worry about my health, Zinnia. Letโs go back to Jinston. Youโre in 12th grade now, and you canโt afford to fall behind.โ
School was starting soon. She couldnโt keep delaying her studies by staying here in this small town.
Zinnia grinned. โIโll go back once youโre better. Missing a bit of school wonโt matter. My grades werenโt great anyway. Didnโt you say youโd pave the way for me? Iโm counting on you to get well and help me plan my future."
Zinnia would never agree to go back. Nathanโs condition was so fragileโhe could take a turn for the worse at any moment. She had to stay by his side. If his condition deteriorated, she could at least use the Flowing Technique to save him.
If she agreed to return to Jinston, Nathan would certainly urge her to attend school. And once she started, she wouldnโt be able to stay by his side all the time anymore.
Even if it meant taking leave from school, Zinnia wouldnโt leave Nathanโs side; not until he made a full recovery.
For Zinnia, the 12th grade was just a transitional phase. Whether she attended this final semester or not wouldnโt make much difference.
As long as Nathan was by her side, she knew her future would be secure.
โDonโt you miss your friends?โ Nathan asked softly.
Her trust in him was so complete that a faint smile touched Nathanโs eyes.
Zinnia answered honestly, โOf course I miss them, but I can video chat with them. Once youโre better, Iโll go see them in person.โ
Do I miss my friends? Well, yeah, a little. But thereโs no rush to get together with them. Nathan is what matters most right now, Zinnia thought.
โBut what if I never get better?โ asked Nathan.
Truth be told, Nathan longed for Zinniaโs care and yet dreaded her dependence.
If the worst were to happen to me, how would she copeโhaving grown so deeply attached to me? Nathan thought. He shut his eyes briefly, anguish raw in his gaze.
He could clearly feel his body deteriorating day by day. Now, he still had enough strength to talk to her, but soon, he might not even have the energy to sit up. All he could do then would be to lie weakly in bed.
If Zinnia saw me like this, it would break her heart, Nathan thought with a pang.
โNo, you will get better,โ Zinnia said firmly.
She vowed to herself, I will save him, no matter what.
Yannis asked, โIs Nathan asleep?โ
Nathan was exhausted. After chatting with Zinnia for a while, he soon drifted back to sleep.
Zinnia quietly slipped out of the room, just as Yannis was coming up the stairs.
โHeโs asleep,โ Zinnia replied quietly.
Zinniaโs heart felt heavy. Each day, Nathanโs condition grew worse.
โWhereโs Jackson?โ Zinnia glanced downstairs, but Jackson was nowhere to be seen.
โHe went to ask the doctor about Nathanโs condition,โ Yannis said.
Nathanโs health couldnโt depend on Zinnia alone. He also had a specialized medical team monitoring his condition every day.
That morning, the team had run a full checkup on Nathan, and now Jackson was talking to the doctors to see if there were any other ways to save him.
The experimental treatment theyโd pinned their hopes onโthe seedโstill showed no signs of working, so they couldnโt rely on it alone. They needed a backup plan.
Zinnia let out a slow breath. Only when Jackson was gone did her composure finally slip, exhaustion washing over her face.
โTired?โ Yannis asked softly, gently brushing a strand of hair from her shoulder.
โYannis, do you thinkโฆ I can really save Nathan?โ Zinnia asked, her voice low and muffled with worry.
She leaned back against him, seeking comfort. She glanced at the tightly closed door behind them, anxiety flickering in her eyes.
When it came to Nathanโs condition, Zinnia was truly afraid.
โYou can do this. Nathan taught you himself. Believe in yourself, and we all believe in you,โ Yannis said firmly, sensing her vulnerability.
Yannis was sure she could save Nathan. If even she couldnโt, then no one in this world could.
After all, she was Nathanโs own student. Of course, she could do it.