When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 112: Moving forward

Chapter 112: Moving forward

Samuel slipped his phone back into his pocket, feeling a mix of exhaustion and anticipation. He knew he needed to explain everything to Zinnia, but he was glad he wouldn’t have to do it over the phone.

Samuel turned and headed toward the precinct parking lot, where Timmy was waiting for him, leaning against the car with a watchful expression. As soon as he saw Samuel, he straightened up and asked, "Sir, are we going to the office?"

Samuel shook his head. "No. You can go home now, Timmy. I’ll drive myself—I need to talk to Zinnia about what happened today."

Timmy nodded, a hint of understanding crossing his face. "Understood, sir. Drive safe."

They shared a quick nod, and Timmy headed to his own car. Samuel watched him go, then climbed into the driver’s seat. He sat there for a moment, gathering his thoughts before starting the engine, ready to go home to Zinnia and finally talk through everything.

---

As Samuel pulled into the driveway, he noticed Zinnia was already standing at the entrance, waiting for him. She looked as if she’d just arrived herself, her arms crossed as she glanced down the path. He stepped out of the car, meeting her gaze, and a faint, tentative smile passed between them. They both walked up to the door, greeting each other quietly, their words tinged with concern but undercut by a hint of awkwardness.

"Zia," he said softly, managing a small smile.

"Sam," she replied, giving a slight nod. Their eyes met briefly before they looked away, and together they entered the house, their footsteps quiet on the polished floor.

Once inside, they moved toward the living room, settling down on the couch. The silence that stretched between them felt heavy, almost charged, as they each tried to figure out how to begin. Finally, after a few moments of sitting side by side without a word, Samuel took a deep breath and broke the silence.

"I’m sorry, Zinnia," he said, his voice low but steady. "For not telling you sooner about... everything."

She looked at him, her expression softening. "I understand, Samuel," she replied quietly. "Just... I hope there won’t be any more secrets between us."

Samuel nodded, feeling the weight of her words. "There won’t be. I’ll make sure of that." He paused, collecting his thoughts before continuing. "I need you to know what really happened with Revilo and Walter Cain. They’ve been behind all of this—the rumors about James being alive, the leads we kept finding... it was all them."

Zinnia’s eyes widened slightly, absorbing each word as he went on.

"They manipulated everything. They wanted us to believe James was out there somewhere, alive. But it was all just lies. All those so-called leads were fakes, traps Cain and Revilo set up to string us along. There’s no real evidence that James is alive... because, well..." He hesitated, his gaze dropping momentarily. "Because he isn’t. Everything we thought... it was just a series of fake leads, orchestrated by them."

Zinnia’s face shifted, her eyes flickering as the weight of his words sank in. James... gone. Her thoughts raced, a dull ache settling in her chest as she tried to come to terms with it.

So, everything about him being alive was a lie, she thought. James is really gone. I expected it long ago, but why does it still hurt? She took a breath, steadying herself, her mind drifting to old memories that had once felt so vivid but now seemed distant, fading shadows. It’s been so many years. I should have moved on by now... I should focus on Samuel instead and let go of James.

As Samuel watched her, he could see the faint pain in her expression. He felt a pang in his own heart, something sharp and unspoken, as he clenched his fist beside him. She’s still thinking about him, he realized. The thought twisted inside him, tightening his resolve. I can’t change what James meant to her. But I’ll do my best to make her forget him, to help her move forward... with me.

The silence that followed was filled with unsaid things, but Zinnia seemed to catch herself and forced a gentle smile, shifting the conversation. "So, what should we have for dinner? It’s getting close to dinner time, isn’t it?"

Samuel blinked, surprised by the sudden change in topic, but he welcomed it. "I thought maybe something simple," he replied, meeting her smile. "Unless you have something in mind?"

She shook her head. "No, simple sounds good."

They shared another small, almost shy smile before both stood up, feeling a bit lighter. Together, they headed upstairs, each going to their own rooms to change. The air was easier now, the tension from earlier starting to fade as they looked forward to sharing a quiet meal.

After changing, they met in the kitchen, ready to spend the evening together, with the weight of the past feeling just a little bit lighter.

Samuel turned to Zinnia with a soft, almost apologetic smile. "Since I was so distracted and didn’t get the chance to prepare anything earlier, let me handle dinner tonight."

Zinnia’s eyes sparkled with a playful look. "Alright, Mr. Chef," she teased, crossing her arms with a smirk. "I’ll leave it up to you, then. But make sure I actually like it."

Samuel laughed, nodding. "Yes, ma’am. On it." He gave her a quick salute, and she couldn’t help but smile as he moved into the kitchen, his expression settling into one of focus.

Zinnia settled herself into a chair nearby, watching as he moved around with practiced ease. The way he seemed at home in the kitchen made her heart feel light, and she couldn’t help but admire the concentration he put into the task. For a moment, she felt the day’s tension fall away, replaced by the comforting rhythm of his motions as he prepared the ingredients.

She leaned back, letting herself relax, but her mind was still buzzing. He’s opening up to me, she thought, her heart skipping a beat. He didn’t retreat behind those walls again. He’s here, with me, sharing this moment.

There was a relief in that realization, like she’d been holding her breath and finally let it go. She’d gotten used to these small moments—seeing Samuel’s gentle smile, hearing him laugh. Somehow, it had all become so familiar, so comforting. She loved the warmth of having him close, the sense that he was sharing parts of himself he’d kept hidden.

Samuel was focused on the stovetop, stirring with a steady hand, but every so often, he’d glance over at her, a softness in his gaze that made her heart race. I want it to stay like this, she thought, clasping her hands together. She’d grown used to this new side of him—the one who took the time to make her dinner, who opened up about his day, who made her feel like she wasn’t alone.

She watched him carefully chop vegetables, his movements deliberate yet relaxed. Her thoughts drifted to the future, her hopes woven into the simplicity of this moment. Please let this last, she thought, almost as if wishing it silently to the universe. I don’t want to go back to the way things were.

As he plated the food, Samuel turned to her with a smile, his gaze meeting hers. "Dinner’s served," he said, his tone light but carrying a warmth that made her feel at ease.

Zinnia grinned, feeling her worries fade away just a bit more. "Thank you, Samuel," she said softly, grateful not just for the meal, but for the quiet strength of the moment they shared.