When Love is a Question Mark-Chapter 239: Threads of the Past

Zinnia’s chest tightened, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "Timmy, why didn’t you tell me? I could’ve... I don’t know, at least said goodbye or offered to help in some way."

"I’m really sorry," Timmy said, and she could tell he genuinely felt bad. "Things were moving so fast. He didn’t want to trouble you, especially with everything else going on."

She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Did he say when he’d be back?"

"No," Timmy admitted. "But I’ll keep you updated as soon as I hear from him again. I promise."

Zinnia nodded, though he couldn’t see it. "Alright. Just... let me know if anything changes."

"Of course, Miss Zinnia," Timmy assured her. "And again, I’m sorry for not telling you sooner."

She ended the call and set her phone down on the coffee table, leaning back against the couch. Her mind raced with thoughts of Samuel and what could have possibly happened with the company.

As much as she tried to reassure herself that everything was fine, a nagging feeling of unease remained. Something about the way Timmy had hesitated made her feel like there was more to the story. But for now, she could do nothing but wait.

---

The hospital room was quiet, save for the faint beeping of the heart monitor and the rhythmic sound of Timmy’s shoes against the tiled floor. He paced back and forth, his hand clutching his phone tightly. He had just ended a call with Zinnia, her questions about Samuel still lingering in his mind.

He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "This is a mess," he muttered under his breath, his eyes flickering to the man lying in the hospital bed. The resemblance was uncanny—every feature, every contour of his face, mirrored the James Lucas they all thought was lost. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Timmy stopped in his tracks, staring at the man. His voice was low, almost inaudible. "I don’t know anymore. This is beyond me."

The man stirred slightly but didn’t wake. Timmy clenched his fists and began pacing again. "What am I supposed to do? If..." His words trailed off into the silence, and he finally slumped into the chair by the bed, leaning forward with his head in his hands.

After a long moment, he sat up and murmured to himself, "I’ll just leave it to fate."

---

The next morning, Zinnia arrived at the hospital to visit her parents. She carried a bouquet of fresh flowers, her smile bright despite the turmoil in her heart. She knocked softly before stepping into their room, greeted by her mother’s warm smile and her father’s approving nod.

"Zinnia, you’re here early," her mother, Elena, said, her eyes lighting up.

"I wanted to see you both," Zinnia replied, placing the flowers in a vase on the bedside table. "How are you feeling today, Dad?"

"Much better," Ricardo said with a small smile. "Your mother’s been fussing over me all morning, so I think I’m in good hands."

Elena laughed lightly. "Someone has to keep an eye on you."

Zinnia joined in the laughter, but as the conversation shifted to lighter topics, her parents’ curiosity about Samuel arose.

"How’s Samuel?" Ricardo asked. "Will he visit soon?"

Zinnia hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "He’s been really busy with work, but everything is fine. Don’t worry about him. He’ll visit as soon as he can."

Elena studied her daughter for a moment but chose not to press further. "Well, as long as you both are alright. The wedding is coming up fast."

"We’re fine, Mom," Zinnia reassured her, her voice soft but firm.

After leaving her parents, Zinnia stood outside the hospital room, her heart pounding as she dialed Timmy’s number.

"Miss Zinnia," Timmy’s voice answered promptly.

"Timmy, I... I want to visit him today," she said, her voice trembling slightly.

There was a pause before Timmy replied, "Alright. I’ll make sure everything is ready."

A few minutes later, Zinnia found herself standing outside the man’s hospital room. Her hand hovered over the door handle, her chest tightening with a mix of apprehension and hope. Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open.

The room was quiet, filled with the soft hum of medical equipment. The man was sitting up in bed, his expression calm and serene. As their eyes met, his face broke into a smile—bright, warm, and eerily familiar.

Zinnia froze in her tracks. The smile... it was the same smile James had given her the first time they met, a smile that had always made her heart skip a beat.

Her mind raced as memories flooded back—their laughter, their quiet moments, the way he’d look at her as if she were the only person in the world. She felt her throat tighten, her heart pounding against her ribcage.

"James..." The name escaped her lips before she realized she had spoken, her voice barely above a whisper.

The man’s smile didn’t falter as she took a hesitant step closer. He tilted his head slightly, his gaze fixed on her, warm and inviting.

Zinnia’s legs moved on their own, carrying her closer to the bed. "James," she said again, her voice stronger this time, as if saying the name would solidify the truth she desperately wanted to believe.

The man continued to smile at her, his eyes holding hers with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. As she closed the distance between them, her heart ached with the weight of emotions she could no longer suppress.

She stopped just a few feet away from him, her hands trembling as she reached out instinctively. "James... it’s you," she murmured, tears welling in her eyes.

Her breath catching as the man’s warm smile deepened. Her mind spun with confusion and hope, the sound of his voice breaking through her daze.

"Zinnia," he said softly, his tone filled with a tenderness that made her knees weak.

Her lips parted in shock, and her heart raced. Did he... just say her name?

"I’m sorry," he continued, his voice trembling slightly. "I only found out now... about everything. But..." He hesitated, his eyes locking onto hers with an emotion so profound it made her chest tighten. "I’m so happy to see you again."