Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan)

Hazel had many acquaintances, but I could only imagine Jerome being the one she'd trust with something this big. But Jerome himself was searching for the child, which made no sense.

Who else could it be?

Could Jerome have let slip about the child? It seemed unlikely. If he had leaked the news, it would mean the child was taken half a year ago. But back then, I was still in a coma, and everything was peaceful. Why would they think of taking the child, then?

Ugh, my head was killing me!

"If only there were surveillance cameras in the neighborhood, we could have checked who was around half a year ago or who made contact with Marilyn before the kid was whisked away. Maybe we would find a lead!" Hannah muttered.

"We've thought about that," Logan said, "We checked the footage from that time frame but didn't get much. A camera outside a salon across the street captured the gate, but it was blurry. It's like searching for a needle in a haystack without a specific target, but we're still on it!"

We all fell into silence. After a while, I turned to Hannah and said, "Let's return to that house and take another look."

Hannah hesitated, glancing at Ronan. He gave a subtle nod.

She then strode out with me.

Hannah comforted me softly in the car, "Allie, don't worry. Marilyn seems decent enough. As long as she's a good person, the kid should be fine."

I couldn't hold back my tears at that. "Whenever I think of my child in someone else's hands, it just doesn't sit right with me!"

"I get it!" said Hannah.

"Hannah, you don't understand. You're unmarried and have no kids. Do you know why I decided to keep Carl?" I sniffled and turned to her. She glanced at me and shook her head helplessly.

"I didn't plan on taking him back that day at North Town when I went to see his injured father at the hospital. After all, he was Zora's kid, but..."

I broke down in tears, and Hannah gently patted my shoulder.

"But when he reached his little hands, crying 'Mama, don't go,' it tore me apart." I clutched at my aching heart.

"At that moment, I thought about my

son, lost and alone out there. He

must have been desperately helpless he found himself in the same situation and no one wanted him. He'd be like Carl, desperately climbing up, crying out for his mother not to leave."

Hannah looked at me, her eyes red. "I've never been a mother, but I understand: Carl was so pitiful that day, looking like he knew what was in our hearts. You saw how he stayed by your side, carefully

coaxing you not to leave. Oh god."

"It showed how desperate and hopeless he was. You heard his wailing that day. How heart-wrenching it was. As a mother, it stung me. And Carl grew up by my side.

How could I have the heart to abandon him and walk away? I'm selfish, using my conscience to plead with the heavens to treat my son well and keep him safe from despair!"

I spoke through sobs, the salty tears filling my mouth.

"Allie, be strong! Finding him will solve everything. Honestly, I admire you. I used to think I'd never keep Dawslug's child if I were in your shoes, but when I saw Carl, D

couldn't bear to be harsh."

I gave a bitter smile. "I'm no saint. I just can't harden my heart. He's just a child without choice."

We arrived at the neighborhood in the evening when families made dinner, so few people were around. Hannah and I got out of the car and went straight upstairs.

Hannah had the key to the door, and we entered effortlessly.

Everything was as we left it, clean and tidy.

Marilyn was tidy and ordered, which eased my mind a little. At least my child wouldn't be living in filth.

My heart felt strangely calm in this place as if I were closest to my son.

I looked around the room again carefully. It didn't look like someone had left in a hurry. The bed was still covered with a sheet, probably to keep off the dust.

But then, why did she resist when she got into the car later?

Did she realize the people coming for them were wrong? But when did she notice, and how did she figure it out?