When Love is a Question Mark-Chapter 251: Lost Communication

Her stomach dropped as she read the headline: "Lucas Realty Group Faces Crisis as Key Partners Withdraw Support."

She quickly opened the article, scanning the details. Major investors and longtime partners of the company were pulling out, citing instability and internal disputes. The company’s stock had taken a sharp dive overnight, and speculation about the future of the business was rampant.

"Mom," Zinnia said, her voice shaking slightly as she turned to Elena. "Something’s wrong with Lucas Realty Group. Their partners are backing out."

Elena’s face turned pale. "What? Why would they do that? Did Samuel say anything to you about trouble at the company?"

Zinnia shook her head, her fingers trembling as she dialed Samuel’s number. "No, he didn’t mention anything. I need to call him and find out what’s going on."

The line rang several times before going straight to voicemail. Zinnia frowned, her anxiety spiking. "His phone’s off," she muttered, hitting redial.

"Try again," Elena urged, leaning closer, her concern growing. "Maybe he’s in a meeting or something."

Zinnia tried three more times, each attempt ending the same way. She let out a frustrated sigh, gripping her phone tightly. "Why isn’t he answering? He always has his phone on during the day."

Elena placed a comforting hand on her daughter’s shoulder. "Maybe Timmy knows what’s going on. Have you tried calling him?"

Nodding, Zinnia scrolled through her contacts and dialed Timmy’s number. The phone rang endlessly, with no response. "His phone’s off too," she said, her voice laced with worry.

"This isn’t like them," Elena said softly. "Something serious must be happening."

Zinnia stood, pacing back and forth in the small hospital room, her thoughts racing. "I can’t just sit here and do nothing," she said, running a hand through her hair. "The company is falling apart, and I don’t even know where Samuel is or if he’s okay."

"Zinnia," Elena said gently, though her own worry was evident. "Samuel’s strong, and he’s dealt with challenges before. He’ll find a way to handle this. But maybe you should try contacting someone else at the company—someone who might know what’s going on."

Zinnia paused, considering her mother’s advice. "That’s a good idea," she said, though her fingers hesitated over the screen of her phone. "But what if this is bigger than just the company? What if something’s happened to Samuel?"

Elena’s face softened, and she stood to wrap an arm around Zinnia’s shoulders. "You can’t jump to conclusions, sweetheart. Let’s take it one step at a time. Call someone else at Lucas Realty, and if you don’t get answers, we’ll figure out what to do next."

Zinnia nodded, though the pit in her stomach refused to ease. She felt powerless, her mind flooded with worst-case scenarios. As she dialed the next number on her contact list, she silently prayed that Samuel was safe—and that he’d call her back soon to explain everything.

But sadly, reality wasn’t like that. She kept trying to call Raver Lucas—Samuel’s uncle—but the line couldn’t be connected.

Left with no other choice, she made her way to James’s hospital room. Her heart raced, not from exertion but from the growing anxiety she couldn’t shake. Samuel’s silence, the chaos surrounding Lucas Realty Group, and Timmy’s unavailability had left her with no answers. The only person she could think of who might know something was James.

When she reached his room, she paused outside the door, taking a deep breath. Gathering herself, she knocked softly and pushed the door open.

To her surprise, the room was filled with an unusual flurry of activity. A suitcase sat on the floor near the bed, half-zipped with clothes neatly folded inside. James stood by the window, wearing a casual button-up shirt and jeans instead of the hospital gown she had grown accustomed to seeing him in. He was packing his belongings, his movements deliberate yet unhurried.

"James?" Zinnia said, stepping inside. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

He turned at the sound of her voice, a small smile appearing on his face. "Zinnia," he greeted warmly. "I wasn’t expecting you."

Her eyes scanned the room, searching for Timmy, but he was nowhere to be seen. "Where’s Timmy?" she asked, her tone more urgent than she intended.

James raised an eyebrow, his smile fading slightly. "He left a little while ago to run some errands. It’s just me now."

Her heart sank further. "So... you’re leaving?" she asked, gesturing to the suitcase.

He nodded, zipping it closed. "The doctor gave me the green light this morning. Said I’ve made a full recovery, so I’m finally free to leave."

Zinnia’s mind spun. Of course, it was good news that James had recovered, but this wasn’t why she had come. She needed answers. She stepped closer, her hands clasped tightly together. "James, I need to ask you something."

He tilted his head, his gaze softening. "Of course. What’s on your mind?"

Her words tumbled out in a rush. "Lucas Realty Group is in trouble. Partners are pulling out, and Samuel’s phone is off. I can’t reach Timmy either. Do you know what’s going on? Is there something I should know?"

James’s expression turned serious. He glanced down briefly before meeting her eyes. "I heard about the situation with the company," he admitted. "But I don’t know the details. Timmy didn’t tell me much before he left."

Zinnia’s frustration bubbled to the surface. "James, if you know anything—anything at all—you have to tell me. Samuel won’t answer, and I don’t know who else to turn to."

He exhaled slowly, setting the suitcase aside. "Zinnia, I wish I could give you answers, but I’m not involved in the company. I’ve been here recovering. Whatever’s happening, it’s not something I’m a part of."

"But you’re leaving now," she pressed, her voice laced with desperation. "Where are you going?"

"Home," he said simply. "I’ve been in this hospital long enough. I need to get back to my life, figure out my next steps."

Zinnia studied him, trying to decipher his calm demeanor. Was he really as uninvolved as he claimed? Or was there more he wasn’t telling her? She felt a pang of helplessness, realizing she might have come to the wrong place for answers.