Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan) novel Chapter 308

The image of Evan, looking up at me with those wide, innocent eyes, flashed across my mind again. I turned to Hannah and sighed, "You know, the first time I saw him, he was far away, laughing and playing. His chubby face of his was so darn likable. I remember thinking, if he wasn't Marissa's child, I might actually like him."

I chuckled, sharing my secret thoughts with Hannah. It felt good to unload.

Hannah listened in silence, glancing at me from time to time as she drove.

"The second time I saw him was at the mall. He spotted Jaylan from a distance and came running over, shouting "Dad" with arms wide open. But Marissa pulled him back before he could reach us. I remember his confused eyes, looking at all the adults around him," I continued, looking at Hannah, "Marissa was hiding behind him, pinching him to keep him quiet. He was trying so hard not to cry, and I could see the tears glistening in his eyes. He stood there, trying to look brave."

"Marissa is so mean." Hannah slapped the steering wheel, visibly angry.

"It's clear Marissa wasn't always kind to him," I said, with a bitter smile, "But he was still so innocent. I remember thinking again if only he wasn't Marissa's child, I'm sure I would love him."

Hannah reached over and patted my hand comfortingly.

"The third time I saw him, was after the incident that Marissa hooked up with a toy boy. She had been beaten up, and no one was there to pick him up from school. I tried to get close to him, to talk to him, to find out his name. He was so guarded and scared, but he held my hand. His little hand was chubby and soft, and it fit so perfectly in mine. I really liked him then. I wanted to keep holding his hand. But he was Marissa's child, and I couldn't let myself get too close."

Tears trickled down my face as I admitted, "I'm so selfish. Why did I have to be so hard on a child?"

Hannah scoffed, "I don't understand why Jerome didn't just do a DNA test instead of believing all the lies."