When Love is a Question Mark-Chapter 261: Awakening the Heart

James’s grip on her hand tightened slightly, his thumb brushing against her skin in a gesture of comfort. "Don’t think like that. He’s going to pull through, Zinnia. He has to. And no matter what happens, you’re not alone in this. I’m here for you."

The honesty in his voice hurt her chest. She looked up at him, and her tears obscured her vision. "Thank you," she said softly, her voice trembling.

Though Zinnia nodded at James’s words, a part of her heart ached with longing. She wished it was Samuel sitting beside her, his deep voice offering the reassurance she so desperately needed. She realized Samuel had a way of making her feel safe, even when everything else was crumbling around her. She wanted him there, not just in body but in spirit, standing by her through this storm.

She gently withdrew her hand from James’s grip, her fingers brushing against his briefly before she folded her hands in her lap. It wasn’t fair to him. She could see the concern etched in his features, the weight he carried for her and her family. But she no longer wanted to burden James with her problems.

James’s eyes flickered with something unreadable—disappointment, maybe, or understanding—but he didn’t press her. Instead, he turned his attention to Elena. "Mrs. Lopez," he said gently, his voice softer now, "why don’t you sit down for a bit? You’ve been on your feet for too long. Rest for a moment. Your husband would want that. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Elena hesitated, her eyes lingering on her husband. "I can’t rest," she murmured. "Not while he’s like this."

"I know," James said, his voice steady. "But you need to take care of yourself too. Even a moment’s rest will help you stay strong for him."

After a while, Elena yielded. She slumped into the chair next to Ricardo’s bed, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. Her eyes did not leave her husband’s face, as if she could will him to wake up with sheer willpower.

Zinnia watched as James pulled another chair closer and sat beside her again. He didn’t speak, didn’t try to comfort her further. He simply stayed there, his silent presence a steadying force in the room.

---

Hours ticked by, punctuated only by the gentle beeping of the monitors and the steady whir of the ventilator. Zinnia sat with her hands clenched in her lap, her heart weighed down by exhaustion and worry. She had lost track of time, the minutes and hours blurring together in the stillness of the room.

Then, just when the weight of despair was going to settle down on her totally, something captured her attention. A faint movement—a flicker of motion along the edge of her vision.

She caught her breath. She leaned forward; her eyes, fixed on Ricardo’s hand. "Mom", she whispered with a voice very soft.

Elena stirred from her chair at the sound. Her exhaustion is forgotten as she follows Zinnia’s glance. Ricardo’s fingers twitched this time unmistakable.

Dad?" Zinnia whispered, her voice shaking with equal parts hope and fear.

Elena leapt to her feet, her hand flying to cover her mouth as tears filled her eyes. "Ricardo!"

James was already on his feet, moving toward the bed with the same urgency. "Call the doctor," he said sharply, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife.

But Zinnia hardly listened. Her gaze fastened onto her father’s face, his heartbeat thundering through her as the eyelids trembled and flinched under it. Finally, agonizingly, Ricardo’s eyelids opened to an unfocused well of darkness. His breathing stuttered over again, unending.

"Dad!" she wailed out, throwing open her hand and grasping blindly for him.

Ricardo’s lips parted, a weak, rasping sound escaping as he tried to speak. His gaze shifted, landing first on Elena and then on Zinnia.

"Z-Zinnia," he croaked, his voice barely audible.

Elena let out a sob, collapsing into the chair again as relief coursed through her. "Oh, Ricardo," she whispered, clutching his other hand. "You’re awake. You’re really awake."

Ricardo’s brows furrowed slightly as he took in the scene, his confusion evident. "W-what... happened?"

Zinnia swallowed hard, tears streaming down her face. "You had surgery, Dad. Your heart... it—it was serious. But you’re okay now. You’re safe."

The door swung open, and the doctor dashed in with two nurses beside her. Her expression was composed but with a surprised look as she saw Ricardo’s open eyes. "Mr. Lopez," she said, professional but warm in her tone, "good to see you awake. Let’s take it slow for now. How are you feeling?"

Ricardo turned his gaze toward the doctor. His voice was hoarse as he answered, "Tired. but alive.

A faint smile tugged at the corners of the doctor’s lips. "That’s a good sign. We’ll need to run some tests and check your vitals, but for now, just focus on resting. You’ve been through a lot."

Zinnia took a step back as the medical crew swung in to assess her father; relief was pouring out of her heart. For the first time, in what felt like days, Zinnia felt hope—a weak, flaccid, but real belief that they would survive this.

James put a hand on her shoulder, his grip sure but gentle. "I told you," he said softly, voice steady. "He’s a fighter.

Zinnia nodded, her tears falling freely now. "Thank you, James," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

But as she turned back to her father, her mind betrayed her, flickering with the image of another man’s face. Samuel. She couldn’t shake the thought of him, the longing for his presence, even as relief flooded her.

But she pushed all these thoughts away, at least for now. Ricardo was alive. He was awake. That was all that mattered. Zinnia drew in a deep breath, steadying herself as the doctor and nurses continued their checks. The weight she had been carrying seemed to lift, though it left behind an ache she couldn’t quite ignore.

Her father’s weak but determined voice brought her focus back to him. "Zinnia..." Ricardo rasped, his eyes locking onto hers. "You’ve been... so strong... for us."

She leaned closer, her hands trembling as she took his in hers. "Dad, you scared us so much," she said, her voice breaking. "I thought—" She stopped herself, unable to finish the sentence. "I’m just glad you’re okay."