When Love is a Question Mark-Chapter 33: Confrontation

Chapter 33: Confrontation
Zinnia looked at Samuel, her brows furrowing in concern. "What is it?"
Samuel took a deep breath, deciding not to sugarcoat the truth. "It’s about Revilo. He’s been accessing James’s accounts, using his name and his money to pull off this whole scheme. But I don’t think he’s working alone. There’s more going on—someone else in the family might be involved."
Zinnia’s eyes widened in shock. "Revilo? But why? Why would he do this?"
"He’s trying to destabilize the company," Samuel explained, his voice hardening. "By making it seem like James is still alive, he can throw everything into chaos—the inheritance, the shares, control of Lucas Realty. And by dragging you into it, he’s trying to hurt me. He wants to weaken my position. But it’s more than that. He’s trying to destroy everything." Samuel’s fists clenched as anger rose in his chest. "And I won’t let him."
Zinnia’s hand trembled as she hesitated, but she still reached for his. "Samuel... I don’t know what to say. I can’t believe someone in your own family would do this."
"I can," Samuel said, his voice colder than before. "It’s always been about power. About control. And Revilo has always been in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike. But he made a mistake this time. He underestimated me—and he underestimated you."
Zinnia swallowed hard, her fingers gripping his hand tightly. "What do we do now?"
"I’m going to keep investigating," Samuel said firmly. "Timmy’s already digging into every possible lead. When the time is right, I’ll confront Revilo again. But we need to be careful. Whoever is behind this won’t stop until they get what they want."
Zinnia nodded, though her face remained troubled. "What about James? They’re using his image... it’s so cruel."
Samuel’s expression softened. "I know. But we’ll stop this. I promise, Zinnia."
They sat in silence for a long time, the weight of the situation heavy on both of them. Samuel’s mind raced with plans and strategies, ways to corner Revilo and whoever was helping him. But something nagged at him, a feeling that they were still missing something important. Someone else was pulling the strings, someone who knew exactly how to manipulate them.
Zinnia suddenly broke the silence, her voice small but steady. "Samuel... do you think James is really gone? I mean... I know it sounds impossible, but the pictures, the voice... it all felt so real."
Samuel met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "I don’t know. But I’m going to find out. Whoever’s behind this is trying to make us believe James is back. And if they’ve gone to this much trouble, there’s a reason. Either James is truly gone, or they’re trying to convince us of something else."
Zinnia’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I see," was all she could manage to say.
Samuel watched her closely, noticing how much James still affected her. The way her eyes flickered with pain, the way she struggled to hold back tears—it was clear. James still held a piece of her heart.
He took a breath, gathering the courage to ask what had been lingering in his mind. "Was he that important to you?"
His voice was soft, careful, as if bracing himself for the answer. It wasn’t an easy question to ask, and he knew the answer might hurt, but he needed to know.
Zinnia looked up at him, startled by the question. She hadn’t expected it. Her eyes widened briefly, then she quickly looked down, unable to speak. Her silence was loud, and Samuel’s heart tightened.
He wasn’t done. He needed to hear it, even if it broke him. "Did you love him?" Samuel paused, the words almost sticking in his throat, but he forced them out. "Is it... because we look the same that you agreed to be with me?"
He closed his eyes for a moment, as if trying to prepare himself for whatever answer would come. The truth, even if it hurt, would be better than not knowing.
Zinnia’s lips parted, but no words came out. Her face was a mixture of guilt and sorrow, and she finally managed to whisper, "I’m sorry."
Samuel felt the weight of those two words like a punch to his gut. "I’m sorry." That was all she could say, but it was enough. The meaning behind those words was clear. He was just a replacement. So, that’s how it was.
He swallowed hard, trying to keep his emotions in check. He had always feared that his resemblance to James was the only reason Zinnia had ever agreed to be with him. Now, it seemed like that fear was justified.
But instead of letting the pain consume him, Samuel made a decision. A decision that would change everything. "I’ll help you find him."
Zinnia’s head snapped up, her eyes wide in disbelief. "What?"
"If James is really out there," Samuel said, his voice steady with resolve, "I’ll help you find him. If he’s alive... I’ll help you."
Zinnia stared at him, completely shocked. She had expected anger, frustration, maybe even hatred. But not this. Not the offer to help her find the man she once loved—maybe still loved.
The truth was, she didn’t know what she felt anymore. The guilt of it all weighed on her. She had agreed to be with Samuel, partly because he looked like James. That was undeniable. But over time, she had tried—tried to love Samuel for who he was. She wasn’t sure if she had succeeded, but she had tried.
And now, here he was, offering to help her find James. Why? Why would he do this, knowing how deeply her past with James affected her?
Her thoughts swirled in confusion as she continued to stare at him. "Why?" she finally whispered. "Why would you help me?"
Samuel looked away for a moment, gathering his thoughts. He had asked himself the same question. Why would he help her search for the man who had held her heart before him? But the answer was simple. He loved her. He had come to realize how much he truly loved Zinnia, even if it meant letting her go.
"If James is the person you truly love," Samuel said quietly, "then I’m willing to let you go. I want you to be happy, even if it’s with someone else."