Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan)

When Zora had prepared dinner, Carl had just had a diaper accident. As Zora went to change him, I snuck in some extra salt into the shrimp scampi and dropped the drug into her glass of water. My heart pounded wildly; it was the first time I had done something like this.

Then, feigning nonchalance, I sat down to eat. As she returned, I casually mentioned, "The shrimp's a bit salty!"

Zora shot me a suspicious glance, tried a shrimp, and awkwardly reasoned, "Guess I didn't stir it well enough!"

I didn't pursue the topic, ate a couple of shrimps and then focused on feeding Carl, buying myself some time.

Even though the shrimp was salty, Zora seemed to be enjoying it immensely, dipping it into her homemade hot sauce, and finishing the entire plate quickly.

I snorted inwardly. But this was precisely the effect I wanted. I watched her closely.

And sure enough, after finishing her meal, she reached for her water glass. Just when I was about to celebrate, she tossed the water away and refilled the glass.

Disappointment hit me like a punch. She didn't take the 'special water'. I had to come up with a new plan.

As she cleaned up the dinnerware and played with Carl, an idea hit me. As soon as she was about to grab her water glass after cleaning up, I lifted Carl from his high chair, intending to head upstairs. But Carl refused to cooperate, calling out 'Mommy,' his nickname for Zora.

Zora, always doting on Carl, instantly put down her glass and held out her arms to take Carl.

I quickly instructed her, "Take him upstairs to play in his room! I'm a bit tired and want to relax a bit."

Without any hesitation, she took Carl and headed out. I followed them to the dining room door, then turned back, muttering, "I need to take a glass of water with me. The shrimp was so salty!"

Zora paid no mind to my comment and continued upstairs. I swiftly dropped the pill I had prepared earlier into her water glass, stirred it, and because of the glass's texture, no change was noticeable even after the pill dissolved.

I casually refilled another glass and headed upstairs. I was certain she would come down for water soon, having eaten so much salty shrimp. I didn't believe she could resist the thirst.

Besides, with Carl upstairs, she was unlikely to linger downstairs.

I had her take Carl upstairs for a reason. I had calculated every step carefully.

The drug would take effect in around 15 minutes. If she was upstairs when that happened, she would sleep there, and wouldn't suspect anything when she woke up.

Instead of going to the children's room with them, I returned to my own room and quickly texted Catherine. She responded immediately, said she was waiting outside the neighborhood.

She had even brought along a nanny. I applauded her efficiency.

I timed my return to the children's room perfectly. Carl was sitting amongst a pile of toys, with Zora asleep next to him. He was playing and occasionally tugging at Zora's hair, calling 'Mommy' in an attempt to get her to join him.

I walked in, called Zora's name, "Zora, how could you fall asleep? Carl is still awake. He can't play alone!"

Zora didn't stir. I went over and nudged her, but she didn't react. She was sound asleep.

I gave her a hard kick. Her body just moved passively.

My heart throbbed wildly. I quickly rinsed Zora's water glass to remove any residue and returned it to its place.

I changed into one of Zora's dresses and styled my hair like hers, in case the community's surveillance cameras caught me.

Then I picked up Carl, put him in his stroller, and headed out. At first, Carl was resistant, looking back at me and calling out 'Mommy', but once in the stroller, he stopped fussing, even clapped his little hands, realizing we were going out.

As soon as we stepped out, Catherine's car pulled up. We quickly got in and drove off from the neighborhood.