Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan)

I clicked on the link Logan sent me and was greeted by a grainy image, a silent video that looked like an old surveillance recording.

The scene unfolded in what appeared to be the lobby of a hospital. A middle-aged woman, pacing back and forth, clutched a child to her chest, seemingly trying to soothe the wailing bundle in her arms. I was utterly baffled, thinking, "What the heck is Logan sending me here?"

But the next second, I froze. Another figure that came into view was Hazel Garry Dawson.

Hazel wasn't as heavy back then, and I recognized the dress she was wearing instantly. It was the one I'd bought for her when we threw the christening party for Probert.

That dress had cost a pretty penny, and she treasured it because of its price tag. She wore it everywhere, holding it dear to her heart.

There she was, in the video, clutching a stack of papers and striding purposefully across the room. After gesturing to the other woman, they both headed for the exit. The video ended as they walked out the door.

I must have watched it a dozen times, zooming in on the face of the woman holding the child. However, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't place her.

What was Hazel doing with this woman, and why were they with a child?

My mind was spinning as I frantically redialed Logan's number, but the line was busy.

I put down the phone and replayed the video, with all my attention on the child this time.

It was impossible to make out any details. The child was swaddled in a thin blanket, looking so small.

Tears flooded my eyes, and a lump formed in my throat as I whispered, "My baby! My baby!"

Hannah looked at me with confusion, "What's wrong?"

"It's my baby!" I murmured, eyes still locked on the screen, "This has to be my lost baby."

Hannah realized something and asked, "What do you mean? Did you find a clue?"

"It has to be my child!" I insisted, staring at the little baby in the woman's arms, barely able to make out the woman's face.

I tried calling Logan again, still busy.

"Damn it, Catherine! Can't you ever get off the phone!" I muttered angrily.

"Let me see it!" Hannah urged me.

"Keep your eyes on the road. You can see it in a bit," I told her, "Logan found some old surveillance footage. He wants me to confirm if the woman in it is Hazel."

As I spoke, Logan finally called back. I quickly wiped away my tears and asked him, "Where did you find this video?"

"It was at the Bright Future Health Center of Goldenvale Town, now known as Silver Shell Medical Center. An old head nurse had kept it by accident. You see, she was trying to catch evidence of her man cheating with some floozy. That's why she saved this clip. We can't be sure, but could it be Hazel from back then?" Logan explained.

"It's her, no doubt about it," I said with certainty.

"You're sure?"

"Positive. She wasn't as heavy then, and she's wearing the dress I bought her. It can't be anyone else!"

"Do you recognize the other woman or have you seen her before?"

"I've never seen her before, I'm sure of it!" I replied quickly, my voice laced with anxiety, "What about the child... Do you suspect that... the child she's holding... could be my lost baby?"

I was stumbling over my words, my thoughts crystal clear but my ability to express them faltering.

"Look at the date on the video!"

With trembling hands, I opened the link again and went straight to the timestamp. It was exactly five months after my third child's birth.

"It's... it's five months after he was born," I stammered, my lips quivering as I stared at the screen, struggling to control my emotions, "This is my child, right? Logan, please... help me find him!" "We also started suspecting when we saw the date... It's just a guess. It could be our missing child, but..."

His voice trailed off, and I broke down, sobbing into the phone, "Please, Logan. You're my only hope of finding him... I have to find him!"