When Love is a Quest Chapter 33: Confrontation

Chapter 33: Confrontation

Zinnia looked at Samuel, her brows furrowing in concern. "What is it?"

Samuel took a deep breath, deciding not to sugarcoat the truth. "It’s about Revilo. He’s been accessing Jas’s accounts, using his na and his money to pull off this whole sche. But I don’t think he’s working alone. There’s more going on—soone else in the family might be involved."

Zinnia’s eyes widened in shock. "Revilo? But why? Why would he do this?"

"He’s trying to destabilize the company," Samuel explained, his voice hardening. "By making it seem like Jas is still alive, he can throw everything into chaos—the inheritance, the shares, control of Lucas Realty. And by dragging you into it, he’s trying to hurt . He wants to weaken my position. But it’s more than that. He’s trying to destroy everything." Samuel’s fists clenched as anger rose in his chest. "And I won’t let him."

Zinnia’s hand trembled as she hesitated, but she still reached for his. "Samuel... I don’t know what to say. I can’t believe soone in your own family would do this."

"I can," Samuel said, his voice colder than before. "It’s always been about power. About control. And Revilo has always been in the shadows, waiting for the right mont to strike. But he made a mistake this ti. He underestimated —and he underestimated you."

Zinnia swallowed hard, her fingers gripping his hand tightly. "What do we do now?"

"I’m going to keep investigating," Samuel said firmly. "Timmy’s already digging into every possible lead. When the ti is right, I’ll confront Revilo again. But we need to be careful. Whoever is behind this won’t stop until they get what they want."

Zinnia nodded, though her face remained troubled. "What about Jas? They’re using his image... it’s so cruel."

Samuel’s expression softened. "I know. But we’ll stop this. I promise, Zinnia."

They sat in silence for a long ti, the weight of the situation heavy on both of them. Samuel’s mind raced with plans and strategies, ways to corner Revilo and whoever was helping him. But sothing nagged at him, a feeling that they were still missing sothing important. Soone else was pulling the strings, soone who knew exactly how to manipulate them.

Zinnia suddenly broke the silence, her voice small but steady. "Samuel... do you think Jas is really gone? I an... I know it sounds impossible, but the pictures, the voice... it all felt so real."

Samuel t her gaze, his expression unreadable. "I don’t know. But I’m going to find out. Whoever’s behind this is trying to make us believe Jas is back. And if they’ve gone to this much trouble, there’s a reason. Either Jas is truly gone, or they’re trying to convince us of sothing else."

Zinnia’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I see," was all she could manage to say.

Samuel watched her closely, noticing how much Jas still affected her. The way her eyes flickered with pain, the way she struggled to hold back tears—it was clear. Jas still held a piece of her heart.

He took a breath, gathering the courage to ask what had been lingering in his mind. "Was he that important to you?"

His voice was soft, careful, as if bracing himself for the answer. It wasn’t an easy question to ask, and he knew the answer might hurt, but he needed to know.

Zinnia looked up at him, startled by the question. She hadn’t expected it. Her eyes widened briefly, then she quickly looked down, unable to speak. Her silence was loud, and Samuel’s heart tightened.

He wasn’t done. He needed to hear it, even if it broke him. "Did you love him?" Samuel paused, the words almost sticking in his throat, but he forced them out. "Is it... because we look the sa that you agreed to be with ?"

He closed his eyes for a mont, as if trying to prepare himself for whatever answer would co. The truth, even if it hurt, would be better than not knowing.

Zinnia’s lips parted, but no words ca out. Her face was a mixture of guilt and sorrow, and she finally managed to whisper, "I’m sorry."

Samuel felt the weight of those two words like a punch to his gut. "I’m sorry." That was all she could say, but it was enough. The aning behind those words was clear. He was just a replacent. So, that’s how it was.

He swallowed hard, trying to keep his emotions in check. He had always feared that his resemblance to Jas was the only reason Zinnia had ever agreed to be with him. Now, it seed like that fear was justified.

But instead of letting the pain consu him, Samuel made a decision. A decision that would change everything. "I’ll help you find him."

Zinnia’s head snapped up, her eyes wide in disbelief. "What?"

"If Jas is really out there," Samuel said, his voice steady with resolve, "I’ll help you find him. If he’s alive... I’ll help you."

Zinnia stared at him, completely shocked. She had expected anger, frustration, maybe even hatred. But not this. Not the offer to help her find the man she once loved—maybe still loved.

The truth was, she didn’t know what she felt anymore. The guilt of it all weighed on her. She had agreed to be with Samuel, partly because he looked like Jas. That was undeniable. But over ti, she had tried—tried to love Samuel for who he was. She wasn’t sure if she had succeeded, but she had tried.

And now, here he was, offering to help her find Jas. Why? Why would he do this, knowing how deeply her past with Jas affected her?

Her thoughts swirled in confusion as she continued to stare at him. "Why?" she finally whispered. "Why would you help ?"

Samuel looked away for a mont, gathering his thoughts. He had asked himself the sa question. Why would he help her search for the man who had held her heart before him? But the answer was simple. He loved her. He had co to realize how much he truly loved Zinnia, even if it ant letting her go.

"If Jas is the person you truly love," Samuel said quietly, "then I’m willing to let you go. I want you to be happy, even if it’s with soone else."