Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan) novel Chapter 530

The phone barely had time to ring before Janice picked up on the other end, her voice bubbling with excitement, "Aaliyah, you're back?"

I let out a gentle chuckle, "Back? I'm still kicking around Silverdale City."

Janice's tone instantly dripped with disappointment, "Well, I thought you'd made your way home!"

"Nope, just calling to check in. How's Janetta holding up?" I asked her.

Janice, deflecting my question, shot back, "What's up?"

I sighed, "I ran into Nettie here in Silverdale. She's with Irving, talking big business with VitalAxis Pharmaceuticals. I'm looking to catch up on the gossip of the Bradlee family about Nettie."

At that, Janice snorted with disdain, "Nettie? The Bradlee's precious little princess? That family is like a picture-perfect postcard with all smiles and harmony."

A weight settled in my chest, a stubborn hope flickering, "She hasn't visited her mom?" The minute the words left my mouth, I regretted them.

Just days ago, I'd asked Nettie the same thing. The message she had me pass to Janetta spoke volumes that she hadn't been anywhere near her.

"She regards Olivia as her mother sees her every day. How could she care about Janetta?" Janice snapped, "Ingrates. I sleep better not thinking about it."

"But Janetta, she's not...?" I ventured, worried that Janetta might be taking it all to heart.

"She's more open-minded than most, always telling me to chill out. As long as she's happy, that's all that matters," Janice said, frustration coloring her voice. "But behind closed doors? Well, that's her business."

"I noticed Irving is keeping her close. Is he grooming her for something?" I prodded.

Janice let out a sardonic laugh, "Grooming her? Hardly. That's all her own wishful thinking. You don't know Irving like I do. The man's got trust issues a mile wide and a streak of cunning to match. He only trusts himself."

"But he's got her by his side constantly," I pressed, confused.

"That's just for show! After all, Nettie is a woman, while Irving prefers sons to daughters. If my elder sister didn’t give born to Nettie, she could set her feet on the family longer." At the mention of this thing, Janice was seethed with anger.