When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 60: Take over

Chapter 60: Take over

Zinnia spent the afternoon reading by the large window in her living room, the warm sunlight spilling over the pages of her book. It had been a calm day, a much-needed break from everything that had been going on with Samuel and the mysterious messages. She had almost forgotten about the world outside when her phone rang, the sudden sound pulling her from the peaceful quiet.

She glanced at the screen. It was her dad.

Her heart sank a little. Calls from her father were usually cheerful, but there was something about the way the phone rang this time that made her feel uneasy. She answered quickly, pressing the phone to her ear.

"Hi, Dad," she said, trying to keep her tone steady.

"Zinnia," her father’s voice came through, not as bright as usual. "I need you to come home. Right away."

Her brow furrowed in concern. "Is everything okay?"

There was a pause, one that seemed to stretch longer than it should have. "Just come, Zinnia," he said firmly. "Your mother and I need to talk to you."

That tone—serious, urgent. It wasn’t like her father to sound like this. Her stomach twisted with worry, and without another word, she hung up and hurried to grab her keys. Whatever this was, it couldn’t be good.

---

Zinnia drove through the familiar streets, her mind racing. She hadn’t heard her father sound so... vulnerable, in a long time. What could possibly have happened? She gripped the steering wheel tighter as her car sped down the road. Her heart beat louder with each passing minute.

She pulled into the driveway of her parents’ house, her hands slightly shaking as she turned off the engine. The house looked the same as always, standing tall and welcoming, but it felt different today. The warmth that usually radiated from it seemed absent.

Zinnia hurried up the steps and pushed the door open. Her parents were already waiting for her in the living room, their faces tense. Her mother sat on the couch, looking anxious, while her father stood by the window, his back turned to her. The air was heavy, as if it was thick with something unsaid.

"Dad, Mom?" Zinnia called out, stepping inside and closing the door behind her.

Her father turned slowly, his face lined with more worry than she’d ever seen. He didn’t smile or joke like he usually would when she walked in. "Come sit down, Zinnia," he said, his voice quiet but firm.

Zinnia obeyed, sitting on the edge of the couch next to her mother. She looked between the two of them, her concern growing. "What’s going on? You’re both looking serious."

Her father sighed heavily, running a hand through his graying hair. "There’s something we need to tell you."

Zinnia waited, her stomach churning with dread. The silence in the room was unbearable. Finally, her mother spoke, her voice soft but filled with emotion.

"Your father... he’s been diagnosed with a heart condition," she said, her eyes welling up with tears. "It’s been getting worse."

Zinnia felt the air leave her lungs. "What?" she whispered, her voice shaking. "How long have you known?"

"We found out a few months ago," her father said quietly, his eyes avoiding hers. "I didn’t want to worry you, but... the doctors say I need to retire soon. I can’t handle the stress anymore."

Zinnia’s mind spun, trying to process the words. Her father? Retiring? He had always been so strong, so full of energy. She couldn’t imagine him slowing down. "But... what does that mean?" she asked, her voice steady but laced with worry.

"It means we need you, Zinnia," her father said, finally looking at her. "You need to take over the business."

Zinnia blinked, staring at him in disbelief. "What? No, Dad, I’m not interested in running the company. I have my own life, my own career!"

Her father sighed again, frustration creeping into his voice. "Zinnia, there’s no one else. You’re our only child. If you don’t take over, who will?"

"I know it’s a lot to ask, but I really don’t care about the business!" Zinnia said gently, her heart aching for them. "You’ve always said I should follow my dreams. I don’t want to be tied down to something I didn’t choose."

Her father’s face darkened, and for a moment, he looked hurt. "If you hadn’t made it so difficult for your mother to carry you, maybe we would’ve had another child," he said, pouting slightly. "But I couldn’t bear to see her go through that again. You’re all we have, Zinnia."

Zinnia’s eyes widened, a mix of shock and understanding rising in her chest. "Dad! How can you say that?"

Her mother, sensing the tension, placed a gentle hand on Zinnia’s arm. "He doesn’t mean it like that, sweetheart," she said softly. "He just wants what’s best for the family."

Zinnia shook her head, but her mother continued, her voice calm. "Your father’s health is more important than anything else right now. We’re too old to keep running things on our own. You need to start preparing to take over."

"I don’t know the first thing about running a business!" Zinnia argued, her voice steady as she tried to convey her worry.

Her father let out a long breath, his shoulders slumping. "We’ll help you, Zinnia. We’re not asking you to do it alone. But you need to start now. There’s no more time to waste."

Zinnia clenched her fists, feeling the weight of responsibility settling on her shoulders. She loved her parents, and she knew she couldn’t let them down. But this wasn’t the life she had wanted. Still, she had no choice. She couldn’t leave them like this.

"I just wish..." she trailed off, glancing between her parents. "I wish I could have a relationship like yours. You’re always so happy together."

Her father chuckled, and her mother smiled, glancing over at him. "We’ve had our moments," her mother said, a teasing tone in her voice. "Your father can be quite stubborn sometimes."

"Oh, please," her father shot back, crossing his arms with a playful grin. "You’re the one who nags me about everything."

Zinnia couldn’t help but smile at their banter. Even in the middle of all this stress, they still found a way to joke with each other. It was the kind of love she had always admired. The kind of love she secretly longed for.