When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 278: Lily’s Apology

Chapter 278: Lily’s Apology

For a while, silence enveloped the room. The weight of everything they had discussed hung heavy in the air, leaving no one quite sure of what to say next. It was Timmy who finally broke the silence, clearing his throat awkwardly.

"Uh, let me prepare some food," he said, glancing around. "I think we all haven’t eaten anything yet."

Everyone nodded in agreement. The tension in the room was palpable, and Timmy’s suggestion offered a much-needed distraction. Lily moved to stand, as though she planned to join him in the kitchen, but Zinnia reached out and gently stopped her.

"Lily, wait," Zinnia said, her voice hesitant but firm. Something had been nagging at her since they told her about the raid on Frank’s mansion. Her eyes locked on Lily, a new thought forming. "I need to ask you something."

Lily froze, her expression uneasy. "What is it?"

Zinnia tilted her head slightly, studying her. "How did you even have those kinds of connections? I mean, you’ve been helping us all along, but... you never mentioned how you could do all of this. I always thought you came from a simple family."

Lily’s eyes flickered with discomfort. She glanced at Timmy, who gave her a small nod before heading to the kitchen. Samuel followed him without a word, leaving Zinnia and Lily alone in the living room.

Lily took a deep breath and braced herself, her hands fidgeting in her lap. Finally, she looked up at Zinnia, though her gaze wavered. "I’m sorry," she began softly. "I didn’t mean to lie to you. Everything just got so complicated, and I... I didn’t know how to tell you."

Zinnia frowned, confusion etching her features. "Lie to me? About what? Why would you keep something from me?"

Lily swallowed hard, her heart pounding as the guilt she had buried for years came rushing back. She closed her eyes briefly, trying to find the courage to continue. When she opened them, her voice trembled. "There’s something I’ve been keeping from you. Something I should’ve told you a long time ago."

Zinnia’s breathing steadied, though her anticipation was clear. "What is it?"

Lily exhaled slowly, her voice shaking as she spoke. "James... the yacht he was on... it belonged to my family’s company."

The room felt eerily still after those words. Zinnia blinked, her face a mixture of shock and disbelief. "Your family’s company?" she echoed, her voice low but firm.

Lily nodded hesitantly. "Yes. Lily Oceanic Industries... it’s my family’s business. We’ve kept it under wraps, staying out of the public eye. But that’s not the point. The point is... I wasn’t paying attention back then. I wasn’t doing my job. If I had been more involved, maybe things would’ve been different."

Zinnia stared at her, trying to process what she had just heard. "You’re saying... the yacht James and I were on at that time was connected to your family?"

Lily nodded again, tears welling up in her eyes. "I should’ve made sure everything was safe. I should’ve—"

"Lily, stop," Zinnia interrupted gently, her voice soft but firm. "Are you saying you’ve been blaming yourself for what happened?"

Lily’s voice broke as she replied, "Yes. I believe it was my fault. I wasn’t responsible enough, and because of that, I—"

"No," Zinnia said firmly, cutting her off. She leaned forward, her eyes meeting Lily’s. "This wasn’t your fault. What happened to James... it was an accident. A terrible, heartbreaking accident. But it wasn’t because of you."

Lily blinked back tears, her chest tightening. "But if I had just—"

"No," Zinnia said again, shaking her head. "You can’t carry this blame alone. Blaming yourself won’t change what happened. And it won’t bring him back."

Lily felt tears spill down her cheeks, her breath hitching. She had spent years holding onto this guilt, convinced she was to blame. Now, hearing Zinnia’s words, she felt a flicker of relief she hadn’t expected.

"I’ve spent so long thinking about that day," Zinnia continued, her voice quieter now. "And I realized something. Holding onto blame, whether it’s for myself or someone else, doesn’t help. It doesn’t make the pain go away. But you... you’ve been carrying this all by yourself, haven’t you?"

Lily nodded, her voice breaking as she whispered, "I’m so sorry. I should’ve told you sooner. I was just so scared... so ashamed."

Zinnia’s expression softened. Without a word, she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Lily, pulling her into a tight embrace. "I’m sorry," Zinnia said, her voice full of emotion. "I didn’t know you were blaming yourself for all of this. You’re not at fault, Lily. Meeting you during those times... it was one of the greatest blessings in my life. I’m so glad I met you. I’m so glad you became my best friend."

Lily sobbed quietly into Zinnia’s shoulder, the years of guilt and regret finally melting away. For the first time in a long time, she felt a sense of peace. She hugged Zinnia back, clinging to her as though afraid to let go.

"Thank you," Lily whispered, her voice barely audible.

Zinnia pulled back slightly, her hands still resting on Lily’s shoulders. She smiled softly, wiping away one of Lily’s tears. And then, as though remembering something, her eyes widened.

"You," Zinnia blurted out, her voice filled with disbelief. "You are the heiress of Lily’s Oceanic Industries!?"

Lily nodded slowly, meeting Zinnia’s wide-eyed gaze. "Yes," she said, her voice steady but soft.

Zinnia blinked, still trying to wrap her mind around the revelation. "You’re serious? You’re really the heiress of Lily Oceanic Industries?" Her voice rose slightly, disbelief and astonishment coloring her tone.

"Yes," Lily confirmed again, this time with a small, apologetic smile.

Zinnia leaned back, her head spinning. She shook her head, trying to process it all. "I can’t believe this. My best friend—" she paused, gesturing toward Lily, "is the mysterious heiress of a globally known maritime company? The same company that’s been in the headlines for years? How did I not know this?"