The next morning, Zinnia woke up early, the soft light of dawn filtering through the curtains. She lay there for a moment, listening to the faint sounds of the world waking up outside.
She sighed and sat up, rubbing her eyes. Glancing at the clock on the nightstand, she realized it was still early, but she knew she wouldn't be able to go back to sleep. She got out of bed and slipped on her robe, deciding to start the day.
Zinnia walked quietly down the hallway, passing Samuel's bedroom door. Ever since their engagement, their families had insisted that they live together, but they slept in separate bedrooms. It was a practical arrangement, but it only highlighted the distance between them.
She made her way to the kitchen, hoping that the routine of making breakfast would help clear her mind. As she brewed coffee, the smell filled the small kitchen, offering a bit of comfort. She moved around the kitchen with practiced ease, cracking eggs, slicing bread, and setting the table for two.
As she was finishing up, she heard footsteps. Samuel appeared in the doorway, still looking half-asleep. He glanced at her and then at the breakfast she had prepared.
"Morning," Zinnia said, trying to sound cheerful.
"Morning," Samuel replied, his voice low and a bit gruff.
"Breakfast is ready," she said, gesturing to the table.
Samuel nodded and sat down, picking up his cup of coffee. Zinnia joined him, taking her seat across the table. They ate in silence for a few minutes, the only sounds the clinking of silverware and the hum of the refrigerator. Zinnia tried to think of something to say, but the words wouldn't come.
Finally, she decided to break the silence. "I was thinking… maybe we could go out for dinner tonight? Just the two of us."
Samuel looked up at her, his expression neutral. "I'm not sure. I might have to work late," he said, taking another sip of his coffee.
Zinnia felt a pang of disappointment but forced a smile. "That's okay. We can do it another time."
"Yeah, maybe," Samuel said, his attention already drifting away.
They continued eating in silence, the gap between them feeling wider than ever. Zinnia tried to focus on her food, but her appetite was gone. She kept glancing at Samuel, searching for any sign that he wanted to connect, to talk about something—anything. But he remained distant, lost in his own thoughts.
When they finished, Samuel stood up, taking his plate to the sink. "Thanks for breakfast," he said, giving her a brief nod before heading back to his room.
Zinnia watched him go, the heaviness in her chest growing. She sat there for a long moment, staring at the empty chair across from her. She knew their relationship wasn't perfect, but it felt like they were barely even trying anymore.
With a sigh, Zinnia got up and started cleaning the dishes. As she washed the plates, her mind drifted back to the messages she had received the night before. She hadn't told Samuel about them—she didn't even know how to bring it up. And besides, what could he do about it? Better to keep it a secret.
After finishing the dishes, she decided to follow Lily's advice for now. She needed to focus on her life with Samuel, even if it wasn't easy. She couldn't keep living in the past, holding on to memories of James. It wasn't fair to Samuel or to herself.
But as much as she tried to push thoughts of James away, they kept creeping back in. She couldn't help but wonder what those messages meant, if there was any truth to them. But she forced herself to stop thinking about it, at least for now.
The day passed slowly. Zinnia tried to keep herself busy with laundry, tidying up the house, and even attempting to read a book or paint. But her mind kept wandering, and every little noise made her glance at her phone, half-expecting another message.
In the afternoon, she decided to go for a walk, hoping the fresh air would clear her head. She wandered through the neighborhood, taking in the sights and sounds of everyday life. It was a peaceful area, with well-kept lawns and tree-lined streets. But even as she walked, her thoughts kept drifting back to the messages and Samuel.
When she returned home, the house was quiet. Samuel was still in his room, likely working or doing something to keep himself occupied. Zinnia felt a pang of loneliness as she walked past his door, but she didn't have the energy to try and talk to him again. She knew how it would go—another awkward conversation, more silence, and the growing sense that they were living separate lives under the same roof.
By evening, Zinnia had managed to distract herself a little, but the emptiness remained. She thought about making dinner again, but the idea of sitting through another silent meal was too much. Instead, she decided to order takeout, something simple and comforting.
When the food arrived, she set the table for two, hoping that Samuel might join her. But as she sat down to eat, the minutes ticked by, and he didn't come out. Zinnia sighed and started eating alone, the silence of the house pressing down on her.
After dinner, she cleaned up and went to her room, feeling more tired than she had in a long time. She sat on the edge of her bed, staring at her phone, the memory of those messages still gnawing at her. But there had been no new messages, no follow-up to the cryptic warnings she had received.
As she lay in the dark, her thoughts returned to the man she had loved and lost. She couldn't help but wonder if things would have been different if James were still here. Would she be happier? Would she feel more alive? But she knew those questions had no answers, and dwelling on them wouldn't change anything.
Just as she was about to drift off to sleep, her phone buzzed. She grabbed it, her heart skipping a beat. But it was just a message from Lily.
"Remember, Zinnia, you deserve to be happy. Don't let anyone or anything take that away from you."
Zinnia smiled weakly at the screen, her eyes growing heavy. She knew Lily meant well and was grateful for her friend's support. But as she closed her eyes, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing—that no matter how hard she tried, a part of her would always be searching for what she had lost.
Just as she was about to drift off to sleep, her phone buzzed again. This time, it wasn't a comforting message from Lily. The screen displayed an unknown number.
This time, it wasn't a message but a picture of James.