Chapter 357
Zinnia remained in deep slumber for what seemed like an eternity, only stirring awake as dusk began to fall. “Awake now? Anywhere still hurting?” Yannis had been keeping vigil by the bedside all this time. Now he rose to his feet, worry written across his face.
Zinnia’s thick, curled lashes fluttered as she opened her eyes, and Yannis’ face, etched with worry and tenderness, suddenly came into view. “Yannis?” Her voice was faint and weak, hoarse from illness.
Zinnia weakly pushed herself up, attempting to rise from the bed. Yannis immediately reached out to steady her. With Yannis’ help, Zinnia sat up and leaned against the nightstand. There was still a dull ache in her chest. Her brows knitted slightly in discomfort.
“What’s wrong? Still not feeling well? Let me call the doctor.” Yannis tensed up at the slightest frown from Zinnia. After getting Zinnia back to her room, Yannis immediately called in a cardiologist to examine her.
Zinnia’s condition was far from reassuring. This cardiac episode marked a turning point. Zinnia’s attacks would now occur with increasing frequency. A heart transplant was her only hope, but her fragile condition made the surgery too dangerous at this stage. The best option would be for Zinnia to wait until she turned eighteen for the heart transplant. That would be safest for her condition. It was not that the surgery couldn’t be done earlier, but doing it ahead of time still carried significant risks. If Zinnia’s condition remained stable, they’d prefer for her to wait until she turned eighteen for the heart transplant.
“Yannis, I’m uncomfortable.” Zinnia’s voice came out faint and whispery as she instinctively grabbed Yannis’ hand and pressed it against her chest. “Right here, it hurts so much,” Zinnia whispered, but she had no idea how to ease the pain. After her illness, Zinnia had grown unusually fragile and docile. She lowered her gaze, her eyes clouded with confusion.
“Still hurting?” Yannis asked anxiously. “Should I call the doctor for you?” Zinnia’s condition couldn’t be taken lightly.
Zinnia looked up at Yannis, her voice hoarse and fragile. “Yannis, am I just a burden to you?” Catching the deep worry in Yannis’ eyes and taking in the exhaustion etched across his face, Zinnia slowly blinked, her eyes moist. She leaned in and rested her head against his chest.
“Don’t ever think that way, Zinnia. You could never be a burden. “You’re our precious treasure, a blessing in our lives.” Yannis looked down at Zinnia nestled in his arms, his palm gently pressing against her back as he pulled her closer into a protective embrace. “Actually, I should’ve died seventeen years ago. Then none of you would have to worry about me, and all these things wouldn’t have happened.” Zinnia spoke, her voice eerily calm.
‘If I had died seventeen years ago, none of these things would have happened,’ Zinnia thought. ‘Or maybe if I’d died during one of my earlier attacks, none of this would’ve happened.’ “Zinnia, don’t talk like that,” Yannis said. A look of deep pain flickered in his eyes as he heard her words. “No, that’s not true. If I weren’t here, none of you would be so tired. Nathan wouldn’t be hurting like this either.” Zinnia gave a faint shake of her head.
“Without me, Nathan would live so much easier," Zinnia thought bitterly. ‘However, right now, even if Nathan is sick, he still has to worry about taking care of me.’ “Do you know why Nathan’s condition suddenly got so much worse?” Zinnia’s voice was barely above a whisper. “Why?” Yannis had no idea.
But according to the specialists’ earlier medical evaluation, Nathan should have had over a month left. But after they returned from the mountain, Nathan’s condition suddenly took a turn for the worse, which caught them completely off guard. Otherwise, Zinnia wouldn’t have worried herself sick. Nathan’s condition had deteriorated terribly. “Nathan has been brewing medicine for me–medicine that keeps my condition stable,” Zinnia spoke slowly. “But every time he does it, it takes a tremendous toll on him. Now, he simply can’t bear it anymore. “Even when Nathan was in better health, brewing medicine for me would still take a heavy toll on his body.” Zinnia had no idea how Nathan made the medicine for her, but it worked wonders for her. After taking that medicine, Zinnia’s condition would stabilize rapidly. All these years, she never knew, and Nathan had never told her about it. If Nathan wanted to keep something from her, there was simply no way Zinnia would ever find out. Yannis listened quietly as Zinnia poured her heart out. He gently stroked the top of her head and said, “That’s why you need to focus on your health first. Try not to be upset with him.” One thing was undeniable. Nathan’s love for her knew no bounds. He gave his all for Zinnia. Just then, a few sharp raps sounded at the door. They both looked toward the door. Softly, the door swung open.
Zinnia’s eyes landed on the figure outside. In an instant, she shot straight up and instinctively swung her legs off the bed. Yannis quickly reached out to steady her. But once Zinnia stood on solid ground, she froze, stubbornly rooting herself to the spot as she forcibly checked her impulse to step forward. She was still seething inside. Nathan sat slumped in his wheelchair, his face as pale as a sheet. At the sight of Zinnia, a faint tremor ran through Nathan’s fingers.
“Zi–Zinnia?” Nathan’s voice came out hoarse and trembling, his eyes brimming with cautious tenderness. Zinnia remained silent, refusing to respond. “Are you angry with me?” Nathan asked softly, his lips pressing into a thin, worried line. Zinnia looked away, refusing to meet his eyes. “I–Is there anywhere still hurting? L–Let me check you, okay?” Nathan spoke in broken, halting sentences, each word a struggle. Jackson gently wheeled Nathan into the room.
Zinnia instinctively took a step back, her eyes cold and distant, a flicker of irritation smoldering deep within them. She lowered her gaze, unwilling to even look at Nathan, let alone speak. “Zinnia?” he called softly, his clear eyes clouded with hurt. Jackson wheeled Nathan right in front of Zinnia, then shot Yannis a meaningful glance. Jackson and Yannis left the room. For a moment, only Nathan and Zinnia remained in the room. “Zinnia, are you upset with me?” Nathan looked up at her weakly, his breath labored as he spoke. With effort, he reached out his gaunt hand toward her. Zinnia’s gaze fixed on Nathan’s outstretched hand. Her fingers twitched by her side, yet she made no move to close the distance between them.
A short distance still separated them. With great effort, Nathan inched his hand toward her, but he had grown far too weak. It drained every last ounce of his strength just to haul himself into the wheelchair. His hand hovered midair, trembling uncontrollably as it began its inevitable descent. The next moment, Zinnia’s soft hands caught his falling hand, holding him. He gazed at her, a faint yet tender smile curving his lips. “Have you forgiven me?” Nathan’s chest heaved with labored breaths, yet his voice was impossibly gentle.
“No,” Zinnia snapped, her voice sharp. ‘Like I’d ever forgive him,’ Zinnia fumed inwardly. Nathan’s eyes softened as his fingertips gently tapped her palm. “Zinnia, would you give me a hug?” Zinnia wouldn’t budge. ‘Hug him? Like I’d ever hug him,’ Zinnia thought. But as Nathan leaned weakly toward her, Zinnia panicked. Without thinking, she bent down and pulled him into a tight embrace.
“Don’t you even realize how terrible your condition is?” Zinnia wrapped her arms around Nathan’s gaunt frame, her palms pressing against his protruding bones. Her eyes welled up with tears again. “I know, but I’m not afraid.” Nathan leaned against her, a gentle, reassuring smile on his lips. “Nathan,” Zinnia cried out, furious. “Are you seriously trying to make me hate you forever?” “Hey, show some respect.” Nathan gently tugged at the hem of her clothes.