CHAPTER 59: CHAPTER 59: INDULGING LONGING IN THE DARKNESS

"You’re Zinnia’s cousin?" Nathan Nash asked, surprised.

Zinnia and Julia Forrest didn’t share a surname. Nathan had asked Julia, and Julia said Zinnia was his cousin. Nathan figured Zinnia must have taken her mother’s surname, and since Julia was now calling Jenson Forrest ’Brother,’ that made Jenson Zinnia’s cousin.

Zinnia saw his misunderstanding and was about to explain, but Jenson nodded first. "Do you have a problem with that?"

Zinnia frowned. Why would he deliberately let Nathan misunderstand?

However, the next second, she saw Nathan scratch his head, instantly change his attitude, and start apologizing to Jenson. He even asked if his "cousin" was thirsty or wanted something to drink. In that moment, Zinnia understood That dog Forrest’s intentions. When it comes to being conniving, he really is in a class of his own!

"He’s not thirsty! Nathan, don’t mind him. Don’t go!" Zinnia couldn’t bear to see an innocent kid like Nathan get played by a black-hearted dog like Jenson, so she tried to stop him from buying drinks.

But Jenson squeezed her hand tighter and leaned in. "He’s trying to woo someone. Pursuing a girl always involves running a few errands. I’m just giving him a chance to make a good impression." He then glanced at Nathan. "Isn’t that right?"

Nathan grinned and winked at Zinnia. "Your cousin is right. Zinnia, please keep an eye on Cecilia for me. I’ll be right back." He waved and ran off toward the vending machines.

Zinnia pushed Jenson away and took each of the children by the hand. "We’re going to play over there, so we won’t disturb Third Brother’s private time with Young Master Quinn."

Zinnia led the children away. Finn Quinn watched her leave before looking back at Jenson. "Third Brother, how dare she treat you like that?"

I thought when Third Brother charged over here, I’d find Zinnia crying and begging for forgiveness. But this is it?

Jenson couldn’t be bothered to answer, only asking, "Why are you here?" It was odd for a grown man like Finn to coincidentally run into Zinnia here.

Finn raised his hand to drape it over Jenson’s shoulder again. "Did you forget, Third Brother? We came to spend some quality time together, just the two of us."

Jenson was thoroughly disgusted, shooting him a look as sharp as a blade of ice. "Try it and see what happens."

Finn withdrew his hand. Jenson had already started walking in Zinnia’s direction.

Finn hurried to catch up, explaining, "This theme park was part of my mom’s dowry. They recently added a drone show and a few new attractions to the night park, so I’m checking it out for her."

Just then, a staff member approached and asked Finn to come with them. As Finn left, Jenson continued his pursuit alone.

By then, the two children had pulled Zinnia to the entrance of the haunted house. Nathan returned with drinks, having bought warm milk for Zinnia and the two kids. He smiled as he handed a cup to her. "I specifically got the sugar-free one for you, so you won’t gain weight. Give it a try?"

Given Zinnia’s slim and toned physique, it was clear she maintained it through years of discipline. Zinnia was surprised that a young man like him could be so thoughtful. Just as she was about to take it, Jenson walked over and intercepted the milk. "I was just getting thirsty."

Nathan looked at him. "Didn’t you want a cold drink, Cousin? I bought this iced lemon tea for you." He offered the cup to Jenson, but he didn’t take it.

"I can’t handle sour things," Jenson said flatly.

Zinnia’s brows knitted together. He can’t handle sour things? He sounds pretty sour right now. Could he be jealous?

Just then, a delicate voice called out. "Jenson, what are you doing here?"

It was Crystal Sutton. She ran over, pretending to have just noticed Zinnia. "Oh, Zinnia, you’re here too! Are you going into the haunted house? Let’s go together!" she exclaimed, positioning herself beside Jenson.

Zinnia’s gaze swept over the pair before she looked away. So that’s why Jenson and Finn, two grown men, were wandering around an amusement park. They were with Crystal Sutton. It’s not like I’d do anything, so why would Jenson feel the need to hide it? Ha, is he afraid I’ll lose my mind and hurt her?

"This must be your wife, then? I still have a lemonade here, would you like it?" Nathan smoothly offered the drink in his hand to Crystal.

Jenson’s eyes frosted over as he squinted, giving Nathan a piercing look. This kid is definitely a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Crystal smiled, accepting the drink without refuting the title. "Thank you."

Julia had been happy to see Jenson. If Third Brother were willing to treat Seventh Sister well, I would definitely be on his side. He is my brother, after all. Who knew he wasn’t here to make things right with Seventh Sister, but brought that awful woman with him instead!

"Seventh Sister, let’s hurry inside!" Julia said angrily, grabbing Zinnia’s arm.

Zinnia was pulled into the haunted house by the two children. Jenson moved to follow, but Crystal caught his arm. "Jenson, I’m a little scared. Can you stay with me?"

Jenson frowned. "Did Finn ask you to come?"

Crystal shook her head, placing a hand on her belly. "No, it’s just that there are a lot of children here on the weekend. Since I’m pregnant and about to be a mother, I wanted to come see the kids and get a feel for motherhood," she said, her expression one of surprise. She then looked at the milk in Jenson’s hand. "Jenson, I can’t drink anything cold. Can I have that cup you’re holding?"

Jenson had no intention of drinking something Nathan bought anyway, so he handed it to her. Remembering Zinnia’s childhood trauma, he knew she never went into haunted houses and would probably be scared. Without another word to Crystal, he strode into the attraction.

The haunted house had a hospital theme. The entrance led directly into a mortuary filled with the scent of disinfectant and lit by a cold, eerie blue light. Gory stains splattered the walls, and actors were ready to pop out at any moment, creating a fully immersive experience.

Zinnia was indeed a little scared. I shouldn’t have come in here just because I was annoyed by Crystal.

"Scared? It’s okay, hold onto me." Nathan said with a smile. He tugged on Zinnia’s sleeve and placed her hand on his shoulder.

Zinnia pulled her hand back with a forced smile. "Just look after Cecilia and Eighth. Don’t get separated. I’m fine." I can’t be that pathetic.

As soon as she finished the thought, a terrifying flash of light split the darkness. The people around her began to scream and run. Frightened, Zinnia ducked her head and ran blindly with the crowd. She stumbled into another room and reached out to grab the person in front of her. "Eighth, don’t run off... AH! AH!"

The person who had just been running ahead was clearly Eighth, but when the lights flashed, Zinnia saw a ghoulish child’s face instead. Its right eye was gone, leaving only a bloody socket, while its green left eye stared sinisterly at her. She screamed in terror, yanking her hand back. She turned to run, only to collide with something else. Not knowing if it was a person or a ghost, she screamed again, flailing her arms wildly.

"HISS! Zinnia!"

A familiar, deep male voice, tinged with its usual lazy mockery, sounded from above her. Zinnia’s racing heart suddenly calmed. She looked up. "Third Brother?"

"It’s me. If you’re this scared, why did you charge in headfirst? You’re unbelievably stupid!" Jenson wrapped his arms around her, pressing her small face into his chest. He led her forward, his large hand gently stroking her hair.

The familiar scent of him was instantly reassuring, and her panic subsided. She looked up slightly. "Eighth is gone."

Jenson had just seen Nathan with Julia and the little girl. Julia was fearless and wasn’t afraid of haunted houses. He wasn’t worried, so he leisurely protected Zinnia while asking coldly, "Where’s your little puppy? Did he just abandon you and run off?"

Zinnia shot back, "And where’s your darling sweetheart? If she saw this, she’d have another one of her sad stomach aches. You can let me go now, I’m fine..."

She didn’t see Crystal anywhere. Seeing her act so ungrateful after he’d helped her, Jenson let out a cold laugh. "Crystal isn’t as stupid as you are. She knows this is all fake, yet you’re still this terrified. Your face is pale enough to scare away the actors. What are you even running from?"

His words were harsh, but Zinnia felt a warmth spread through her heart. With Crystal’s delicate temperament, even if she wasn’t scared, she would surely be crying and clinging to Jenson. But now Jenson is here with me, and Crystal is nowhere to be seen. Did they get separated? Or does Jenson not actually like her as much as he pretends to?

Lost in thought and tucked securely in Jenson’s embrace, Zinnia found that they had reached the end of the haunted house before she knew it. People from several different routes were all converging, and the exit suddenly became congested.

Zinnia was shielded in Jenson’s arms, his tall frame an indestructible barrier protecting her from the crush of people. In the crowded chaos, Zinnia allowed herself a moment of indulgence and reached out to hug him.

But just then, he suddenly let her go.

He moved away from her side, his tall figure parting the crowd as he strode swiftly toward something up ahead. Zinnia, abruptly exposed, had her foot stepped on. She staggered forward, about to fall.