Chapter 136
Chapter 136
Yannis’s words struck a nerve, leaving him utterly speechless. Every single word was painfully true.
Zinnia stood beside Yannis, her eyes widening in astonishment as just a few of his sharp
words left Howard completely speechless
‘Why are his words so effective while mine just fell flat?‘ Zinnia wondered.
Zinnia kept sneaking glances at Yannis, trying to figure out his secret.
Yannis teased, “See something interesting?”
After saying a few words, Yannis noticed Zinnia staring up at him with wide, curious eyes. Amused, he reached out and playfully ruffled the stray lock of hair on her head.
‘Hopeless little thing, can’t even escape when being bullied,‘ Yannis thought with exasperated fondness as he returned, only to find her already cornered by the Shaw family.
“What’s your mouth made of?” Zinnia asked in all seriousness. “How come you can shut people up with just a few words, but I never can?”
Her gaze lingered on his naturally rosy lips, delicate and beautifully shaped. As they moved, every word he spoke was pure music to her ears.
‘His voice sounded wonderful yesterday, and just as lovely today. I really do love listening to him talk, Zinnia thought to herself.
Yannis couldn’t help but laugh at her earnest question.
Never in his life had anyone asked him that. If it had been anyone else, he might’ve taken it as a downright insult.
The chemistry between them was so natural that no one else could break in. Watching them, Howard pursed his lips and asked, “Zinnia, do you mind if come over to your place for a bit?”
Howard couldn’t help but cut in, a surge of discomfort and jealousy rising within him.
“Wanna know why they listen to me?” Yannis asked. “Just be honest about what you truly think, and have the courage to say no to what you dislike.”
Yannis turned to her, his gaze gentle and encouraging.
Zinnia looked up at him and thought, ‘His eyes are so beautiful–like gemstones. They shine with a hidden fire.
‘I really want to touch them,’ Zinnia thought.
Hearing his words, Howard thought bitterly to himself, ‘I’m her real brother, standing right here. How shameless of Yannis teaching Zinnia how to act right in front of me!‘
Howard had always heard that Yannis was infamous for his sharp tongue. No wonder Yosef never even wanted to mention his name. Just a few words from Yannis, and one would feel like being roasted alive.
“Zinnia, you-” Howard began, but was abruptly cut off.
“No,” Zinnia said coldly to Howard, her expression unyielding.
‘When someone as gorgeous as Yannis speaks, you just go along with it. There’s no way that could be wrong.
‘It’s so much better than all my soft, rambling excuses,‘ Zinnia thought.
Zinnia was soft–hearted by nature. She always worried her words might hurt others, so she carefully chose the gentlest possible terms when speaking
them.
17:14 Sat, 14 Jun G
Chapter 136
But she never once considered her own feelings.
Howard hadn’t expected Zinnia to reject him so bluntly. Disappointment clouded his eyes. “Yannis,” he called out sharply, his voice edged with anger
Howard shot Yannis an annoyed look. Zinnia had never been this blunt with him before.
Yannis sneered, “What’s this? Now you’re going to lecture me like Mrs. Shaw? Your family never taught her to stand up for herself, jest to put up with everything in silence. And now you dare blame me for showing her a different way?
“Is the Shaw family really going to make her endure every grievance alone and bear the full brunt of all your anger?
“Then when you don’t need her, you toss her aside like trash. But the moment you want her back, you demand instant obedience, forcing your so–called kindness down her throat.
“Howard, not every blessing in this world is destined for your family. Heaven gave you a chance, but you Shaws threw it away yourselves. You lost her, at because you never cherished her,” Yannis said.
Yannis’s gaze darkened, a thin veil of anger clouding his eyes. Without a word, he gently covered Zinnia’s ears with his hands, shielding her from hurtful words.
‘Zinnia may seem resilient, but even she can’t help feeling hurt by some words,‘ Yannis thought.
AD
