Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan)

I pushed him away, my anger barely controlled. "What, are you trying to wear me out to kill me? Is this your way of getting rid of me?"

Jaylan burst into laughter, and as I turned to leave, he didn't follow but went to take a shower.

Back in bed, my mind was spinning, replaying his words from the phone conversation. I quickly grabbed my cell, texting Catherine to check on the hospital's surveillance footage. The next morning, when Zora saw Jaylan and me coming downstairs together, she looked shocked. "Mr. Jaylan...you came back last night?"

Jaylan replied coldly, "Yes."

I noticed Zora's slight discomfort, and she quickly said, "My lady, I'll bring you your medicine right away!"

"Hold off on the meds," Jaylan ordered before I could even respond.

Zora froze, glancing at me.

I sat down at the dining table, a thrill of joy inside me. Finally, I could stop taking the medicine. But then, confusion set in. Why had Jaylan suddenly decided to stop my meds?

After breakfast, I seized the opportunity to ask Jaylan about my cell phone again. To my surprise, he readily agreed, went upstairs to get it, and handed it to me.

I was overjoyed and immediately wanted to make a call, but he held my hand. "Just tell them you're back. They've been worried sick."

His words took me by surprise.

"But..." Jaylan paused, looking at me. I pressed him, "What is it?"

"If they want to come to Goldenvale Town and visit you, try to postpone it."

"Why?" I asked, feigning annoyance, curious about his intentions.

"You're still sick. Seeing you like this will only worry them," Jaylan answered thoughtfully. "Tell them you'll return to Silverdale City to see them after you've had a rest. They don't need to stress themselves out, they're in their 70s after all!"

"Okay!" I agreed cheerfully, though a sense of unease lingered.

I called my parents, and as Jaylan suggested, I told them I was back home. They were delighted to hear my voice, asking me many questions about my life overseas.

Jaylan sat beside me, giving me approving thumbs up as I navigated the conversation smoothly.

The call lasted a long time, and by the end, my brain felt like it was running out of oxygen. I didn't hide my exhaustion, even joking about it with Jaylan, "If I had to talk any longer, I'd pass out!" "Then you should go upstairs and rest," he suggested softly, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

Before I could move, Zora rushed downstairs, heading straight for the medicine cabinet.

Jaylan gave her a stern look, asking icily, "What's going on?"

"Well... it seems Carl has a fever," she stammered.

"What?" I stood up immediately, regret flooding over me. I knew exactly why this was happening, and I cursed myself for my carelessness. "How did he get a fever?"

I studied Zora as she guiltily explained, "He might have caught a chill last night. He kicked off his blanket when I checked on him in the middle of the night."

I cursed her in my mind, impressed and annoyed by her quick thinking. Clearly, she was unbothered by the situation last night, completely unaware of what had transpired. Without another word, I headed upstairs, Jaylan following close behind.

When I reached Carl's room and touched his forehead, it was burning hot.

"How could this happen?" I murmured, tears welling in my eyes. I was filled with regret for not covering him up more last night, which could have prevented his illness.

I was so remorseful, I felt like banging my head against the wall.

Jaylan tried to comfort me. "Honey, kids get sick. It happens."

Zora looked worried too, she placed a thermometer into Carl's mouth and kept her eyes fixed on his small face.

When she finally checked the thermometer, we found Carl was running a high fever.