Loomwood Galleries Framed Pilgrim Murals by Iris Vaughn 27
Chapter 27
Nina’s eyes were already wet after hearing the story. She never knew Zackery had done so much to be with her.
She took Zackery’s hand, pressing her own into his palm.
“Zackery, you’ve been through so much all these years.”
Her words made Zackery’s eyes sting, and he hugged her tightly. “Nina, you’re the one who suffered.”
Jessica was waiting outside, growing impatient. She reached out and knocked on the door, her tone annoyed.
“Hey, are you two done being all lovey–dovey? A whole bunch of us have been standing here forever.”
After she spoke, Jessica pushed the door open. Behind her stood Deegan, Helen, Emma…
The group looked at each other, suddenly feeling the awkwardness of being caught eavesdropping.
Nina felt a little embarrassed and got off Zackery.
Jessica pushed Nina to the doorway. “I have something to say to your husband.”
Nina had no choice but to stand with Deegan, Helen, and the others.
Jessica walked up to Zackery, her voice very low.
They could faintly hear a few words.
“My condition is…” They couldn’t hear anything after that.
When Jessica finished speaking, she looked at Zackery seriously. “If you can’t do it, I’ll come back and slap you hard, even if I’m at the ends of the earth.”
Zackery was speechless for a moment, then chuckled.
“I know.”
After she finished, Jessica walked over to Nina and took a charm out of her bag, handing it to her.
“This is the gift I got for you on your eighteenth birthday, but I never gave it to you.”
Nina remembered that day. The whole family had gone out, leaving her alone to spend her coming–of–age birthday hidden in her room.
Nina had once thought that was the bleakest birthday she’d ever had, but now, looking at the plush charm in her hand, she felt a pang in her heart.
Someone will always love her, right?
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Jessica saw her eyes turning red and looked away awkwardly. “Don’t you cry. If you cry, I’m taking it back.”
Nina’s tears turned to laughter. She saw Jessica’s suitcase by the door.
“Jessica, where are you going?”
Jessica spread her hands. “You can’t stand Mom and Dad, and neither can I.
Whoever wants to inherit the family fortune can have it. I don’t want it anyway.
I’m going to be a world backpacker.”
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Jessica had a naturally free spirit, but David and Laura had kept her cooped up at home since she was a child, like a carefree pony locked in a cage.
Jessica had always felt constrained over the years, and her personality had become increasingly harsh.
But after a near–death experience, she suddenly understood.
She only lives once, so why not live a little happier?
Nina knew she couldn’t change her mind, so she leaned over and hugged her. “Stay safe. I’ll always be at home wait- ing for you.”
Nina smelled the floral scent on her sister, a fragrance she had envied since childhood because she didn’t have one herself, which led her to become obsessed with wearing all kinds of perfumes as an adult.
But today, she suddenly felt at peace with it.
All the resentment and jealousy from her childhood melted away in that one embrace.
Jessica hugged Nina back tightly and whispered in her ear, “Sis, I love you.”
Nina smiled.
“Me too.”
Jessica left.
Nina and Zackery watched her go.
Suddenly remembering something, Nina turned her head to ask Zackery.
“What did Jessica say to you?
What were her conditions?”
Zackery smiled, his eyes gentle, “She said her condition was for me to love you, respect you, and to always put your opinion first.”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
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