When Love is a Question Mark-Chapter 246: A Heart in Crisis

Ricardo waved a hand weakly as if trying to dismiss her concern, but his body betrayed him. He coughed again, harder this time, and bright red blood splattered onto his hand. His breathing became shallow and labored, each breath a struggle.

"Ricardo!" Elena gasped, dropping the magazine she had been holding. She moved closer, her hands trembling as she touched his arm. "What’s happening? Are you in pain?"

Ricardo nodded slightly, his lips pale and trembling. "It... hurts," he managed to whisper, his voice barely audible. His hand pressed harder against his chest as if trying to hold his heart together.

Zinnia’s heart raced as panic gripped her. "Mom, we need a doctor! Now!" she said urgently, her voice shaking. She turned to Lily. "Lily, go find someone! Please hurry!"

Lily didn’t hesitate. She bolted out of the room, her footsteps echoing in the hallway as she shouted for help.

Elena knelt beside Ricardo, her hands hovering as if afraid to touch him further. "Stay with us, Ricardo," she pleaded, her voice cracking. "Help is on the way. Just keep breathing."

Ricardo’s head sagged slightly, his skin turning an alarming shade of gray. His breaths came in short, wheezing gasps, and sweat beaded on his forehead. "It’s... my heart," he choked out, his voice barely above a whisper. "I-I can’t..."

"Dad, don’t say that!" Zinnia cried, tears welling in her eyes. She gripped his arm tightly, her nails digging into his sleeve. "You’re going to be fine. Just hold on."

Moments later, the door burst open, and a team of medical staff rushed in, led by Lily, who was pale but determined. "He’s coughing blood and says it’s his heart!" Lily informed them quickly.

One of the doctors, a woman with a calm but focused demeanor, moved to Ricardo’s side. "Mr. Lopez, we’re here to help," she said firmly, checking his pulse and looking into his eyes. "Stay with me, sir. Can you tell me where the pain is?"

Ricardo weakly raised a hand to his chest. "Here," he rasped, his voice faint. Another cough wracked his body, and more blood came up, staining his lips. His entire frame shook with the effort.

"He’s going into cardiogenic shock," one of the nurses said, glancing at the monitor they had brought with them. "We need to move him to the OR immediately. His heart is failing."

Elena let out a strangled sob, clutching Zinnia’s arm as the medical team worked quickly. "Please, save him," she begged, tears streaming down her face. "He’s everything to us."

Zinnia swallowed hard, her hands trembling as she stepped back to give the team room. Her mind was racing, her heart pounding in her chest. She felt helpless, unable to do anything but watch as her father’s condition worsened before her eyes.

The doctor turned to Zinnia and Elena, her tone urgent. "We need to get him into surgery now. His heart is under too much strain, and he’s at risk of a full cardiac arrest. Please stay here—we’ll update you as soon as we can."

Elena nodded, though her face was pale, and she looked ready to collapse. Zinnia steadied her mother, wrapping an arm around her as they watched the team wheel Ricardo out of the room.

As the door swung shut behind them, the room fell silent, except for Elena’s quiet sobs. Zinnia held her mother tightly, her own tears streaming down her face. Lily stood by the door, her expression stricken.

"He’ll make it, Mom," Zinnia whispered, though her voice wavered. She wasn’t sure if she was trying to reassure her mother or herself. "Dad’s strong. He’ll pull through this."

Elena nodded weakly, but her tears didn’t stop. "He has to," she murmured. "He has to."

The minutes stretched on like hours as Zinnia and Elena paced back and forth in the now-quiet hospital room. The air felt thick with tension, every sound from the hallway making their heads snap toward the door, hoping for news.

Lily sat silently in the corner, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. She had offered to get coffee or water, but neither Zinnia nor Elena could bring themselves to leave the room.

Zinnia glanced at her watch for the fifth time in ten minutes, her fingers tapping nervously against her thigh. "It’s taking so long," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

"They said it would take time, sweetheart," Elena replied, though her voice was shaky. She paused mid-step, clutching the back of a chair for support. "But every minute feels like forever."

Zinnia nodded, her gaze fixed on the floor. Her mind was a whirlwind of worry, fear, and guilt. She couldn’t stop replaying the moment her father coughed up blood, the look of pain on his face.

A soft knock at the door startled them both. Elena straightened immediately, her hand flying to her chest. "That must be the doctor," she said, her tone laced with urgency.

Zinnia rushed to the door, her heart pounding. But when she opened it, she froze. Standing there was Timmy, looking slightly out of breath, and beside him—

"James?" Zinnia’s voice wavered, her eyes widening as she took in the man standing next to Timmy.

"Samuel, you’re here!" Elena’s relieved voice broke through Zinnia’s shock. She stepped forward, her face lighting up as she reached out to him.

"Mom," Zinnia said quickly, placing a hand on Elena’s arm to stop her. "That’s not Samuel. That’s... James."

Elena’s smile faltered, her hand dropping to her side. "James?" she repeated, her brows furrowing as she turned to look at the man more closely.

James offered a polite smile, stepping into the room. "Mrs. Lopez, I’m sorry for the confusion," he said, his voice calm and steady. "I’m James Lucas. I came as soon as I heard about Mr. Lopez. I hope I’m not intruding."

Elena’s eyes darted between James and Zinnia, her expression a mixture of shock and confusion. "You—" She paused, studying James carefully. "You look just like Samuel. The resemblance is... uncanny."