“Nathan will be fine,” Yannis said, gently ruffling Zinnia’s hair as he met the worry in her eyes. With Jackson in Mealinia, of course Mathan would be fine.
“Yannis, to be honest, I’m really worried about Nathan,” Zinnia murmured, her head lowered as she nervously fidgeted with the card in her hands.
She continued, her voice trembling with concern, “Nathan has never left me behind before. If he did this time, something must have happened. He hasn’t contacted me at all. I’m afraid something terrible might have happened to him.”
Yannis gently pinched Zinnia’s cheek, a soft smile on his lips. “Zinnia, trust him. Didn’t he promise to come back? He’ll definitely return.”
Zinnia was certain Nathan would return safe and sound. She knew he couldn’t bear to leave her behind–tmaybe he was even making preparations to come back for her right now.
On the weekend, Zinnia and Yannis went out together. Once Lydia agreed to see Benny, Yannis arranged for a paternity test. The results confirmed that Benny was indeed Lydia’s father. After that, they booked a restaurant so Lydia and Benny could meet and talk over dinner.
“Yannis, is that man back yet?” Zinnia asked
“I’ve already sent Toby to pick him up,” Yannis said, walking beside her.
“Yannis, what do you think their reunion will be like?” Zinnia skipped ahead a few steps, then suddenly stopped and turned back to look at him.
‘After over a decade apart, what will Lydia’s reunion with her father be like?‘ Zinnia wondered. Her own meeting with the Shaw family after all those years had been anything but pleasant.
“Let’s just wait and see,” Yannis replied calmly.
As they talked, they reached the door of the private room.
Inside the private room, Lydia had arrived early; Bonnie hadn’t come. Lydia had agreed to meet Benny mainly to see what kind of person he was.
She knew she could fully support herself and her mother–she wanted nothing from him. All she really wanted was the truth about the past, to know whether her mother had loved the wrong person.
Zinnia and Yannis entered the private room to find Lydia standing by the window, her gaze distant.
She wore a casual camel–colored hoodie over a white silk blouse, black cargo pants, and black combat boots. Her long hair was pulled back in a ponytail, revealing delicate, clean features behind thin silver–rimmed glasses–the whole look crisp and put–together.
Zinnia was always true to her word. The day after she promised to get Lydia new glasses, she brought her ten pairs–black, white, silver, gold, blue, and
more.
This not only let Lydia keep wearing glasses as she wished, but also significantly improved her appearance compared to those old, chunky black frames. For once, Lydia didn’t refuse her, and soon swapped out her outdated glasses for the new ones.
“Lydia,” Zinnia called out warmly.
As the door to the private room opened, Lydia looked up with a delicate smile. “Zinnia, Yannis,” she greeted.
Yannis nodded in acknowledgment.
“Lydia, when did you get here? Have you been here long?” Zinnia asked as she hurried to her side.
Lydia lowered her gaze to Zinnia, a faint smile playing at her lips. “No, I’ve only been here a few minutes.”
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Chapter 250
“Lydia, are your nervous?” Zinnia asked, pulling her to sit with her on the small sofa. Yannis took a seat opposite them, dietly watching their
conversation.
“No, I’m not nervous,” Lydia said, shaking her head.
Zinnia exhaled softly, the memory of her first encounter with the Shaw family almost slipping away.
She’d been so wrapped up in mourning Nathan that the Shaw family barely registered. Maelis had looked at her with eyes full of reproach and distance feelings that left Zinnia feeling strangely disconnected.
And Howard’s initial look of disgust was unforgettable. Even when he tried to mask it, the damage was done. Realizing they didn’t want her around, Zinnia had instinctively shut herself off, never daring to show them her true self.
Now, watching Lydia prepare to meet her family after all those years, Zinnia felt a pang of worry. She didn’t want Lydia to face the same coldness, the same rejection she had.
She had no idea how families were supposed to feel when they were reunited with someone they’d lost. But from what she’d seen with the Shaw family, it was hard to feel optimistic about these reunions.
“He’s here,” Yannis said, checking his phone–Toby just brought Benny downstairs.
As soon as he spoke, both Zinnia and Lydia immediately fell silent.
Yannis said softly, “Lydia, we’ll wait for you in the next room. If you need anything, just call me and I’ll come right over.”
Since it would be improper for outsiders to intrude on a father–daughter reunion, Yannis had arranged a separate room nearby to give them privacy.
Lydia gently stroked Zinnia’s hair and replied softly, “Okay.”
Zinnia stood up from the sofa, and Yannis picked up her small purse as they both headed to the adjacent private room.
No sooner had Zinnia and Yannis left than Toby ushered Benny into the private room. Lydia glanced up as they entered, her eyes shifting subtly behind
her glasses.
Not far away, Benny stood with his head slightly bowed, his face half–hidden behind Toby.
In a nervous, hushed voice, he whispered, “A–are we there yet, Toby? Do you think… my daughter might not like me?” His voice was hoarse from damaged vocal cords, so he kept it low to make it less grating.
Toby felt Benny nervously tugging at his sleeve. Glancing at Lydia, who was already seated by the window, he leaned down and quietly reminded the anxious man beside him, “Benny, Ms. Hollis is already waiting inside.”
Benny had only trusted Yannis and Toby since Yannis’s rescue. When Toby had told him two days ago that they’d found his daughter, Benny had been stunned–then overjoyed. He had a daughter.
Deep down, Benny had always known he was missing two important people in his life. Now that he had a daughter, it meant he must have had a wife,
too.
His daughter wanted to meet him, and it filled him with a mix of excitement, nerves, and hope for the lost years.
He’d spent hours fussing over his appearance, even going so far as to have Toby bring in a styling team. It wasn’t until he’d stepped off the plane that he felt ready.
The whole way there, Benny had peppered Toby with questions about Lydia–what she was like, whether she’d like him, and if she took after him or her mother. Toby, ever patient, answered each question without a hint of irritation.
Now, as they approached the private room, Benny’s nerves got the better of him. He hid behind Toby, terrified that his daughter might reject him.
As they approached the private room, Benny grew so nervous that he ducked behind Toby, terrified Lydia might not accept him.
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Chapter 250
“W–we’re here already?” Benny had kept his head bowed the entire way, nervously and repeatedly asking Toby. “Do you think Lydie wiltlika meri caught up in his worries that he hadn’t even noticed they’d arrived at the private room.
“Mm–hmm.” Toby nodded.
Benny fidgeted nervously, his voice low and hesitant. “Hi, I’m your father. I don’t know my real name, so I can’t really introduce myself property. If iss okay with you, you can call me Benny. I’m about six foot one and weigh around 150 pounds.
“I don’t know if you’ll like me, and that’s okay. But I really hope you’ll give me a chance to make it up to you and your mom.
“I have about 20 million dollars saved–I’d give it all to you if that helps. I’m really hoping you’ll say yes.
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