Interstellar: Return of the Villain
Chapter 333: Tammy

Chapter 333: Tammy

Lyra arrived at the hotel.

If Zinnia had been her old self, she would have rushed to greet Lyra with enthusiasm. But now, her face was expressionless, her gaze distant as she stood apart, watching Lyra approach.

The night wind stirred around Zinnia, who had a backpack slung over her shoulders and carried her daughter in her arms. Her once short hair now fell past her shoulders, and the strong, toned physique she had once been proud of was gone.

Thin and frail, she looked as though a strong breeze might knock her over.

Dressed in a plain denim dress, there was no sign of the bold, carefree spirit she had once exuded. Instead, exhaustion and despair clung to her like a heavy cloak, leaving her hollow, like a lifeless wooden doll.

Lyra stepped out of the car and glanced past her. "Where’s Zarek?"

"At the veterans’ rehabilitation center on Planet Nagano," Zinnia said slowly.

Without hesitation, Lyra turned to Debbie. "Bring him to my villa."

Then she looked at Zinnia. "Get in the car."

Her voice was firm and calm, carrying a commanding strength that unexpectedly soothed Zinnia. In that moment, it felt as though no matter how overwhelming the burden, Lyra could bear it all.

Zinnia took a deep breath. "Alright."

...

After founding the Legion of Everglow, Lyra had purchased a villa near the company in Central City for convenience during her visits.

Now, it was the perfect place to house Zinnia and her family.

As they headed out to pick up Zinnia, Lyra had already instructed the housekeeper to prepare the rooms.

"You’ll stay here from now on," she said, opening the door to the guest room. The space was fully prepared and waiting. "Put Tammy down first."

Unusually, Tammy had remained asleep in Zinnia’s arms throughout the entire journey without stirring—a worrying sign.

Zinnia handled her daughter as though she were made of delicate glass, gently placing her on the bed. Her eyes were filled with a love so pure it rivaled the moonlight.

"Lyra, ever since Tammy was rescued, she’s been in a coma. She hasn’t woken up, and the doctors can’t figure out why."

Lyra walked over and looked down at the little girl. "Let me take a look."

Tammy, now seven, was a shadow of her chubby, rosy-cheeked self from four years ago. She was painfully thin, her limbs and neck so fragile they seemed they might snap.

Her cheeks were sunken, faint veins were visible beneath her pale eyelids, and her breathing was shallow and weak.

A green light scanned over Tammy’s body as Lyra conducted her examination. Her gaze hardened slightly. "Let’s talk outside."

Zinnia’s heart clenched as she followed Lyra into the living room, her hands trembling. She sat down and immediately asked, her voice shaking, "Can Tammy wake up?"

"Not yet," Lyra said, her eyes drifting upstairs. "What exactly happened back then?"

Zinnia froze, her body stiffening as she shook her head. "I don’t want to talk about it."

The memories were too raw, too agonizing to revisit.

Even after three years of therapy, Zinnia, with her loyal and deeply emotional nature, had been unable to heal. The wounds felt irreparable, like they could only be erased by wiping her mind clean.

"Tell me," Lyra said, her tone sharp and unyielding, cutting through Zinnia’s defenses like a blade.

Zinnia’s lips quivered, and suddenly, she broke down, tears spilling over. "Why did it take you so long to come back—"

She collapsed into Lyra’s arms, her sobs racking her thin frame. "I watched my grandpa and dad die, one after another, right in front of me! I couldn’t save them—I couldn’t even escape..."

"I got Tammy and Rajan into the escape pod, but then the black hole came. Rajan threw Tammy out of the pod, but he—he was pulled in. I almost had him, just a little more, and I could’ve saved him. Just a little more... But I couldn’t..."

Her grief consumed her, her body trembling with the weight of her anguish.

Zinnia and Tammy had survived only because of the elastic metal Lyra had given them years ago. It had saved their lives—just barely.

Tears continued to roll down Zinnia’s face as her voice dropped to a trembling whisper. "Lyra, how did it come to this?"

She had once lived a life filled with happiness—a loving family, doting elders, a protective brother, and a devoted husband. But all of it had crumbled before her eyes, leaving her with nothing but memories.

For three years, Zinnia had tirelessly cared for her injured brother while endlessly worrying about her daughter. She had not dared to cry, fearing that if she let herself feel the full weight of her sorrow, it would destroy her. But now, in Lyra’s presence, the wall she had built around herself finally cracked, the tension releasing all at once.

Debbie, who stood nearby, let out a quiet sigh of relief. She understood that this outpouring of emotion was a step forward.

Zinnia’s earlier silence had alarmed her deeply; the psychologist treating Zinnia had warned that if she continued to suppress her pain, her mental health might completely unravel.

The empty living room echoed with Zinnia’s heart-wrenching sobs. Her tears, burning hot, trickled down her face and neck, soaking into Lyra’s clothes.

No one knew how long she cried before her sobs finally subsided into silence.

"Stay here for now," Lyra said as she handed Zinnia a set of clean clothes the housekeeper had brought over. "Go take a bath."

Zinnia nodded faintly and made her way upstairs. As the warm water cascaded over her, her foggy thoughts began to clear.

Then, a sudden realization struck her—she hadn’t asked Lyra what was wrong with Tammy.

...

While Zinnia was in the bathroom, Lyra instructed the housekeeper to prepare a bowl of warm broth. Carrying it to Tammy’s room, she stood silently by the bed for a moment before speaking softly. "Tammy, your mom’s not here right now."

Tammy’s long lashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes. Upon seeing Lyra, she pouted, her expression filled with a child’s quiet sadness. "Godmommy... I’m hungry."

For the past three years, Tammy had survived only on nutrient infusions. During crucial years of her growth, she had been too weak to even lift a finger.

Lyra propped her up gently against the pillows and began feeding her the broth, spoonful by spoonful. After just half a bowl, she stopped, worried that Tammy’s fragile body might not handle more.

"Why are you pretending to be sick?" Lyra asked softly.

Tammy leaned against her, her voice so faint it was almost inaudible. "If I get better, Mommy will leave me to go find Daddy."

Years ago, when Zinnia was recovering from her injuries, Tammy had overheard her talking to Rajan’s photo.

Zinnia had said, "Once Tammy gets better, I’ll come find you." That moment had planted a deep fear in Tammy’s heart. She had thought long and hard before deciding to fake her illness.

As long as she stayed unwell, Tammy believed, her mom would stay by her side and wouldn’t leave her behind.

Lyra gently stroked Tammy’s brittle, thinning hair. For three years, this tiny child had kept up the act, her suffering hidden from everyone. She had endured hunger, refusing food and water, all to keep her mother close.

"Godmommy," Tammy whispered, her small voice pleading, "don’t tell Mommy, okay?"

Lyra’s expression softened, her eyes flickering with emotion. "I won’t. But I’ll arrange for you to go somewhere for treatment. That way, you won’t need to pretend anymore."

Tammy shook her head weakly. "No, I want to stay with Mommy. I’m scared."

Tammy, just seven years old, had endured the same trauma as her mother.

Lyra relented with a quiet sigh. "Alright, then. I’ll give you some superpower. It’ll keep you from feeling hungry and give your body what it needs to stay strong."

"Thank you..." Tammy murmured before drifting back into sleep.

After tucking Tammy in, Lyra went downstairs.

The moment Zinnia saw her, she stood up from the living room sofa, clutching her bowl of broth. "Lyra, how’s Tammy?"

Lyra hesitated, Tammy’s fragile plea echoing in her mind. Meeting Zinnia’s hopeful gaze, she shook her head slightly.

The light in Zinnia’s eyes flickered and went out. She sank back into her seat, her hands trembling as she murmured with despair, "Even YOU can’t help her?"

Lyra’s lips tightened slightly. "It’s very likely psychological. I can keep her alive, but you need to pull yourself together and give her hope."

Zinnia, who had seemed resigned moments ago, looked up again, a flicker of determination igniting in her eyes. "I want to join the Legion of Everglow."

She was technically on medical leave, but as long as she was willing, her reinstatement could be processed quickly.

This response made Lyra breathe a little easier. "I’ll call Mandy right away."

When Mandy got the news, she was so overwhelmed she nearly fainted, her breath quickening in excitement. "I’m coming over immediately!"

She couldn’t believe Lyra had actually brought Zinnia back.

...

Mandy arrived at the villa in record time. Before Zinnia could put on a brave front, Mandy pulled her into a tight hug, scolding her fiercely. "Were you planning to hide forever if Lyra didn’t find you? You idiot!"