Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan)

They were back.

I spun around, darting back to the study, anxiously watching the progress bar of the file transfer, while the sound of the front door echoed from downstairs. It was all so nerve-wracking.

Finally, the files were transferred. I yanked the USB out, closed the laptop, and bolted from the room. I could already hear their footsteps climbing the stairs. My nerves were frayed; I was shaking like a leaf. Taking a deep breath, I forced my jelly-like legs to carry me towards the staircase.

No sooner had I stepped out of the study than Jaylan came up the stairs, he was carrying Carl in his arms. Right behind them was Zora, clutching a blanket.

I felt a cold laugh bubble up inside me. What a picture-perfect family scene. But that was my son.

"How are you doing, Carl? Mommy's here!" I reached out to take him from Jaylan, but Carl twisted away from me. His chubby little arms tightened around Jaylan's neck. "Daddy!"

"Mmm," Jaylan murmured soothingly. Without another word, he carried Carl past me and into the house.

Zora, trailing behind Jaylan, glanced at me with a smirk that screamed both contempt and provocation.

I swallowed my anger as we entered Carl's room. "What did the doctor say?" I asked, "Doesn't he need to be in the hospital?"

I reached out to touch Carl's forehead. It was cool. The fever had finally broken.

"He's fine. The doctor thinks it's best if he stays home," Jaylan said, "The hospital is overcrowded and the virus is severe. It's best for him not to be exposed to it." He turned to Zora, "Could you get him some water?"

Zora immediately turned to fetch some water. Carl lay on the bed, clinging to Jaylan's hand.

When Zora came back with the water, I reached out to take it from her. "I can do it."

She dodged my hand, "He's not used to you. I'll do it."

Her words ignited my anger. What did she mean, he's not used to me? If not for their scheming, would I be in this situation?

"What do you mean he's not used to me?" I demanded.

Taken aback by my question, Zora glanced at Jaylan.

Jaylan stood up, pulling me away from the bed. "Let's go! Zora can put him to bed. The doctor says he needs rest."

Rest! Suddenly, those words kept flashing in my mind, sending shivers down my spine.

I pulled away from him, "I can't rest when my son is sick. I need to be with him!"

Jaylan stared at me, shocked by my sudden outburst.

"Why can't I take care of my own son? He's sick, isn't it natural for me to worry about him?" I stared back at him, feeling a surge of anger rise within me.

His eyes darkened, and the room fell into an oppressive silence.

Carl, probably startled by the tense atmosphere, suddenly burst into tears, calling for his father.

I rushed over, pushing Zora aside, and sat down next to Carl to comfort him.

Jaylan took the glass of water from Zora, "Go cook dinner. Let Allie put him to sleep."

Zora didn't move. She looked unwilling to leave. I looked up at her, "Didn't you hear him?"

She shot Jaylan a glance, but he was too busy with Carl to notice her. Reluctantly, she huffed out an 'okay' and left the room.

At first, Carl resisted me, and he was reaching out for Zora. But I picked him up and rocked him gently. Maybe it was Jaylan's presence, or maybe he was just too weak from being sick. Either way, he stopped crying after a while.

I breathed a sigh of relief, "I guess kids really can't be spoiled. I'm his mother, I should be the one taking care of him."

Jaylan glanced at me, his voice filled with sarcasm, "You are actually jealous of Zora? You were unwell, so I was worried that you couldn't take care of Carl. That's all"

I looked up at him, retorting, "Just because I'm unwell doesn't mean a nanny can replace me, does it?"