Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan)

There stood Jerome at the front door, his gaze sweeping over the few cars parked before him. Thankfully, the night had fallen completely, casting shadows over the tinted windows of our vehicle, making it impossible for him to see inside.

I watched as someone approached Jerome, said a few words, and then he spat on the ground, turning back into the hospital.

I slumped in my seat, and before long, Catherine darted out of the hospital and into the car.

"Drive!" I instructed Logan.

Without hesitation, Logan started the car and sped away from the front door.

"He didn't see you, did he?" Catherine, still catching her breath, turned to me. "Damn, that was close!"

"I'm not sure. That's why we need to get back home right now."

"What's there to fear? Worst comes to worst, it's do or die. Considering your health condition right now..." Catherine sighed, shaking her head, but couldn't hold back her concern. "You really should consider leaving that house."

Logan glanced at me through the rear-view mirror.

"I can't let them off the hook just like that. This incident confirms my suspicion - it's not just about my health. If Jerome was indeed trying to follow us, that's a clear sign." I voiced out my concerns, my heart still pounding.

Catherine patted my hand, "Don't think too much. Remember, we're here for you."

Hearing this, I felt a lump in my throat. I leaned back into the seat and closed my eyes. Only then did I remember Carl, I quickly glanced back, only to find him asleep in nanny's arms.

The car sped along the road like a cheetah, but my heart felt heavy. A sense of dread slowly crept over me, leaving me anxious.

We parked in the shadows near my house. Logan suggested we wait in the car for a few moments. It wasn't late, yet my house was pitch black.

"I'll go in with you," Catherine offered, her eyes filled with concern. "You won't be able to carry Carl by yourself."

"I know this place better," Logan unbuckled his seatbelt, "I'll carry the kid."

He gestured for me to go in first. I unlocked the door and waited for him. He then quickly followed, carrying Carl in his arms.

The house was eerily quiet. I placed the stroller back in its place and switched on the small lamp to guide us upstairs. I gently pushed open the door to the kids' room. A tiny nightlight was the only source of light, and Zora was still deep asleep.

I made way for Logan, carrying Carl. He scanned the room before placing Carl among the pile of toys. I was about to pull the thin blanket over him, but Logan stopped me. He pointed to Zora, and it clicked - leaving Carl as is would make it look like he fell asleep while playing.

He then gestured towards the exit and quickly left the room.

I glanced at the sleeping Carl one last time before I hurriedly left the room, changed out of Zora's clothes and darted into my own room. Exhausted, I collapsed onto the bed, turned on the surveillance system, and put my switched-off phone under my pillow.

My heart was pounding in my chest. I went over the details once more to make sure there were no loose ends before letting out a sigh of relief. Closing my eyes, I succumbed to the overwhelming exhaustion.

I wasn't sure how long I slept for, but the sound of a car pulling up startled me awake. A beam of headlights swept across the room before disappearing. Straining my ears, I heard the front door click shut. Then, the soft sound of footsteps climbing upstairs.

Jaylan was back!

He had said he wouldn't be home, yet here he was. I was certain Jerome had called him.

His footsteps paused outside my room before heading into his own. He didn't stay long before I heard him returning.

He stepped into my room, spending a few moments staring at my bed, as was his routine. Instead of climbing into bed, he took out his phone and dialed a number...