When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 89: Back to the old days?

Chapter 89: Back to the old days?

Zinnia was just stepping out of her car when she heard the familiar ping of a message. She glanced down at her phone, her smile fading slightly as she read Samuel’s words.

Something urgent came up. I might be late. Don’t wait up.

For a moment, she just stood there, the screen’s light reflecting on her face. The words felt distant, like they were pushing her away, but she took a breath, trying not to overthink. Samuel had been so different lately—kinder, warmer—and she didn’t want to lose that.

She typed back, It’s okay. Take care of whatever it is. I’ll see you when you get back.

She hesitated before sending it, her fingers lingering over the screen. She didn’t want to sound upset, because she wasn’t. Not really. She was just... worried.

As she walked up to the house, keys in hand, the door creaked open, and she was greeted by an empty, quiet space. There was no smell of cooking, no soft sounds of Samuel bustling in the kitchen. It was just stillness.

Zinnia stepped inside, closing the door behind her, and for a moment, she felt like she was back to those days a year ago after their engagement—days when Samuel was there, but not really. Days when the house felt more like a place to sleep than a home.

She set her bag down and looked around, her eyes drifting to the kitchen where Samuel usually was. She missed him. It hit her, and she didn’t know why it felt so strong. Maybe it was because she had gotten used to his presence these past few days.

Zinnia found herself wandering through the house, passing the living room where they’d shared quiet evenings, the hallway where he’d once surprised her with a cup of tea, saying he made too much by accident. She hadn’t realized it then, but each little thing had chipped away at the walls between them.

And now, with him gone, those walls felt like they were creeping back up, closing in around her.

She paused outside his bedroom door, her hand hovering over the doorknob. She didn’t open it, just stood there, staring at the door. She never used to care if he was on the other side, but now, she missed him being there. The thought of him slipping away again, going back to how he used to be, made her chest feel heavy.

After a moment, she sighed and turned away, heading to her own room. She changed into a comfortable T-shirt and sweatpants, but even that small routine felt empty. Normally, she’d hear Samuel humming or see him setting the table. Now, it was just her.

Zinnia wandered into the kitchen, running her hand over the countertop, remembering the way Samuel had stood there, flipping bacon, glancing over his shoulder to smile at her. She could almost hear the sizzle of the pan, feel the warmth of the morning sun that had made the moment feel so perfect.

But now, it was just her.

She decided to make herself something simple for dinner. She pulled out a few ingredients—some pasta, a jar of tomato sauce, and a bit of cheese. Nothing fancy, just enough to fill the silence.

She boiled the water, watching the steam rise and curl, and then added the pasta, stirring it slowly. She could almost hear Samuel’s voice teasing her, telling her not to overcook it. The thought made her smile, but it was a sad smile, one that barely reached her eyes.

As she poured the tomato sauce into a pan, she thought about how she hoped he was okay. That whatever had come up wasn’t something too serious. That he’d walk through the door later, maybe even late at night, and they could share a quiet moment before bed.

She grated some cheese over the pasta, letting it melt, and plated the simple meal. She sat down at the table, staring at the empty spot across from her. It used to feel normal, eating alone, but now, it just felt... wrong. She twirled her fork in the pasta, taking small bites, but her mind was far from the food.

On the other side of town, Samuel and Timmy were making their way to the airport. The car ride was silent, the atmosphere thick with anticipation. Samuel’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, but he kept a calm exterior. He knew he needed to keep his focus.

Timmy, sitting in the passenger seat, kept glancing at his phone, double-checking the information. "I’ve already booked the tickets. We’ll be there by morning," he said, breaking the silence. Samuel nodded, but didn’t respond.

He just kept his eyes on the road ahead.

The thought of James being alive, hidden away on some private island, was almost too much to process. But Samuel couldn’t ignore it. If there was even a chance, he had to know. He had to be sure, for Zinnia’s sake, and maybe even for his own.

As they pulled up to the airport, Timmy handed over the tickets. "The plane leaves in an hour," he said, his voice steady. "If we’re lucky, we’ll be there before dawn."

Samuel took the ticket, feeling the weight of it in his hand. He thought about the message he had sent to Zinnia, and a pang of guilt hit him. He hated lying to her, but he couldn’t drag her into this. Not until he knew for sure.

They made their way through the terminal, passing through security, waiting at the gate. Timmy could see the tension in Samuel’s posture, the way he kept tapping his foot, his eyes distant.

"Are you sure about this?" Timmy asked quietly, not because he doubted Samuel’s decision, but because he needed to hear the answer.

Samuel looked at him, and for a moment, there was no hesitation in his eyes. "I need to know, Timmy," he said. "If there’s a chance James is alive, I need to find out. And if he’s not... then we need to make sure Zinnia knows the truth."

Timmy nodded, understanding the unspoken words between them. They were about to step into something deep, something that could change everything, but there was no turning back now.

The announcement for their flight crackled over the speakers, and they stood up, ready to board. Samuel took one last look at his phone before switching it to airplane mode, wondering if Zinnia would be waiting for him when he got back.

As they settled into their seats on the plane, Samuel stared out the window, the city lights below flickering like tiny stars. His thoughts drifted back to that morning, to the way Zinnia had smiled at him, to the warmth in her eyes.

He didn’t want to lose that. But he knew that finding the truth about James might mean tearing apart the fragile hope he had built with her. And that was a risk he was willing to take. Because if James was out there, alive, everything would change.

The plane engines roared to life, and as they lifted off the ground, Samuel closed his eyes, preparing himself for whatever they would find. Whatever it was, he would face it. For Zinnia. And for himself.