Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan)

I was feeling so lost and helpless, wondering who could ever understand the turmoil inside me. If only I had been a little more aware, a little more present, how could such a tragedy have ever occurred? And

now, they questioned how I could lose my child and how I could fail to recognize my child.

And where was I to turn for answers now? The involved were six feet under. Who was left to argue my case?

Logan's phone rang twice before he answered it swiftly, listening intently without a word.

After hanging up, he turned to me and said, "Looks like Camilla did work a short stint at that new pharmaceutical company, but she was out of there after just a month."

"Dig into this Camilla," Ronan commanded with resolve, "Dig deep."

Hannah's phone started chiming incessantly, and she quickly pulled it out to check.

Her eyes widened with the kind of discovery she'd think was a goldmine, and she started scrutinizing the screen.

Then she walked over to where I was sitting and handed me the phone. "Allie, check this out. Fidelia just sent these over. All gifts Camilla brought for her."

I took the phone and scrolled through an odd collection of dolls, toys, hair accessories, and carved trinkets.

"What in the world are these? You think they're fun?" I asked, puzzled.

"Show them to Ronan," Hannah insisted.

I passed the phone obediently to Ronan, who glanced at it and began swiftly swiping through the images, his brow furrowing ever so slightly.

I leaned in, "What's up? You recognize something?"

"Some of them are from Southeast Asia."

"How can you tell?" I leaned over to look at the screen and asked.

"See here," Ronan looked over his shoulder at me, his eyes extremely tender, and his wrist moved in my direction, and he began, pointing to a small bracelet on the screen, "These beads and tiny animal carvings are made of ivory. Very distinctive."

He scrolled to a round, apple-shaped box, "This one's bamboo, but the carvings are all Southeast Asian style. And this incense holder, even more distinctive..."

I was dazzled by the array, but with Ronan's guidance, it all made sense.

Yet, I was taken aback, "So, you're saying Camilla's work trip might have been to..."

I couldn't bear to finish the thought. It seemed far too coincidental and improbable.

Just then, my phone began to ring. It was Irving.

I raised an eyebrow, gave Ronan a glance, and whispered, "Irving."

Then I answered, "Hello?"

"Ms. Wilburn, I hear you're back in Goldenvale Town. Why no word? I would've rolled out the red carpet for you." Irving's voice feigned warmth like we were old buddies who hadn't caught up in ages.

"Mr. Bradlee, you're too kind. Goldenvale's my home turf. What's there to roll out the red carpet?" I replied, my tone casual but my mind racing at how news traveled so fast.

Laughter from a woman echoed through the line, and soon Olivia's voice came through, "Aaliyah, long time no see! Recognize who this is?"

"Mrs. Bradlee, you crack me up. As if I couldn't tell it's got to be you. Who else would be hanging around Mr. Bradlee?" I quipped back.

Olivia's laughter grew louder, "Aaliyah, do me a solid, will you? It's been ages. Let me treat you to a home-cooked meal. I'm dead serious here. You're one of the few in Goldenvale Town I truly admire. I've been dying to be your friend."

Her honesty was disarming. It would've been almost pretentious to refuse, so I agreed, "Sure! Let's catch up."

The joy on the other end was palpable, "I knew you were the real deal, Aaliyah. Irving, you said I couldn't get her? That depends on who it is."

Then, more directly to me, "If you don't mind, how about my place? I'll whip up some of my signature dishes. How does that sound?"

"I'd be honored. Just name the time," I responded, thinking it was a perfect opportunity to glean some information.

"Why wait? How about tonight? I'll start prepping, and you just come on over," she replied cheerily.

"6 o'clock sharp then. Send me your address. I'm not even sure where you're living these days." I reminded her.

"You got it. I'll text you right away. See you later." Olivia ended the call with a cheerful tone.