When Love is a Question Mark-Chapter 235: Who Are You?

"Zinnia, are you okay?" Lily asked softly, her hand resting gently on Zinnia’s shoulder.

Zinnia didn’t answer at first. Her gaze remained fixed on the fading bus, her chest tight, as though the world had suddenly shifted under her feet. She had just seen James—she was sure of it. Yet the man who had stood before her wasn’t him. He’d denied it, after all.

"I..." Zinnia’s voice was a whisper, barely audible over the quiet sound of the waves crashing in the distance. "I don’t know. I don’t know anymore."

Lily squeezed her shoulder, offering silent support as Zinnia stood there, lost in the haze of emotions swirling inside her. The man she had loved, the one who had disappeared, had just walked by her like a stranger. And yet, something in her heart told her that this wasn’t the end of the story.

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Samuel was halfway to the parking lot, his hands tucked into his pockets, when a movement behind him caught his attention. Something about the way Zinnia had stopped in her tracks made him glance over his shoulder. What he saw next froze him in place.

Zinnia stood a few feet behind, staring at a man who had just bumped into her. The man muttered a quick apology, but Samuel’s eyes weren’t on the interaction—they were glued to the man’s face.

Samuel’s breath hitched. It was like looking at a ghost. The man’s face was eerily familiar, identical to the one etched into his memory: James Lucas. The man who had haunted Zinnia’s dreams and Samuel’s insecurities. His jaw clenched, the muscles in his face tightening.

Who are you? Samuel’s thoughts raced, his chest tightening. Why do you look exactly like James? Are you James? How is this possible?

He watched as Zinnia’s hand reached out to grab the man’s sleeve, her lips moving, but Samuel couldn’t hear what she said. He could only see the stunned expression on her face, the desperation in her gestures as she tried to hold onto the man.

The man pulled away, shaking his head as he spoke hurriedly. Samuel couldn’t make out the words, but the urgency in the man’s movements was clear. Then, without a backward glance, the man strode toward the bus stop, leaving Zinnia standing there, frozen in shock.

Samuel’s fists clenched tightly at his sides, his mind still reeling. His teeth ground together as he struggled to piece together what he had just seen. Was it really him? Was James alive? Or was this some cruel trick of fate?

"Sir," Timmy’s voice broke through his spiraling thoughts. The assistant had also stopped and was now looking at Samuel with concern. "Sir, let’s get the car first. We don’t want to cause a scene. I promise I’ll investigate this for you, but right now, Zinnia needs you."

Samuel exhaled sharply, forcing himself to nod. "Fine," he muttered, his voice low and tight. "Let’s go."

They continued to the parking lot in tense silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Samuel’s mind, however, remained locked on the man’s face. He couldn’t shake the image, the uncanny resemblance that sent chills down his spine.

As soon as they reached the cars, Samuel climbed into the driver’s seat, gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white. Timmy nodded to him before heading to another vehicle parked nearby.

"I’ll pull up beside you," Timmy said calmly. "You go to Zinnia first."

Samuel didn’t respond, simply starting the engine and driving back to where Zinnia and Lily stood. His heart pounded as he approached, and his eyes immediately found Zinnia. She was still standing there, her face pale, her expression distant. Lily was by her side, holding her arm, speaking softly to her.

Samuel stopped the car in front of them and quickly stepped out. "Zinnia," he called, his voice steady but laced with concern.

She didn’t respond right away, her gaze still fixed in the direction where the man had disappeared. Finally, she turned toward him, her eyes filled with confusion and shock.

"Let’s get you home," Samuel said gently, opening the car door for her.

Zinnia nodded numbly, allowing him to guide her into the passenger seat. She didn’t say a word as she settled in, her hands resting limply on her lap.

Meanwhile, Timmy had pulled up in another car, parking a few feet away. He rolled down the window and called out to Lily. "Need a ride?" 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Lily shook her head. "My car’s just over there. Thanks, though." She turned back to Zinnia, giving her arm a reassuring squeeze. "Zinnia, I’ll call you later, okay? Try to rest tonight."

Zinnia gave a small nod but remained silent, her gaze distant.

Lily straightened and looked at Samuel, her expression serious. "Take care of her," she said softly.

Samuel gave a curt nod, his face unreadable. "Always."

As Lily walked toward her car, Timmy gave Samuel a quick nod before driving off, leaving the couple alone.

Samuel climbed back into the driver’s seat, glancing at Zinnia out of the corner of his eye. Her silence was heavy, almost suffocating, and he could feel the weight of her thoughts pressing down on the space between them.

He didn’t ask any questions, knowing that now wasn’t the time. Instead, he started the car and pulled away, leaving the beach behind as the night settled around them.

The drive back to Zinnia’s apartment was marked by an oppressive silence. Samuel occasionally glanced at her, his concern deepening with every mile. She sat rigid in the passenger seat, staring blankly out the window, her hands resting limply in her lap.

When they finally arrived, Samuel parked and turned to her. "We’re here," he said gently.

Zinnia blinked, as if snapping out of a trance. Without a word, she opened the door and stepped out, heading inside with an absentmindedness that made Samuel’s chest tighten. She went straight to her room, her footsteps soft but unsteady. The door clicked shut behind her.

Samuel lingered in the living room, running a hand through his hair in frustration. Timmy entered moments later, closing the door behind him.

The two men exchanged a knowing look, and Samuel broke the silence. "Find out who that man is," he said, his voice low but firm. "Why does he look exactly like James?"

Timmy nodded, his expression serious. "I’ll get on it right away."