Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan) novel Chapter 7

On the generous sectional in our living room, Jaylan was entertaining our youngest son, Carl, as Zora leaned naturally against him.

It felt like a perfect picture of our life years ago when we first had Monique, our oldest daughter. The scene was a picturesque representation of a happy family, everything just seemed so harmonious and united.

Suddenly, the bowl of medicinal I was holding slipped from my grasp, shattering on the tiled floor.

All three people on the couch turned their attention towards me. Zora was quick to react, hurriedly running over to me. "Ma'am, why did you come down? I was about to get the bowl... be careful, don't step on the shards!"

Her reaction was so nonchalant, as if the intimate scene I'd walked in on was just a casual interaction among a couple. I was at a loss for words.

Had our family become this harmonious?

Jaylan also rose from the couch, holding Carl, and rushed towards me. "Allie, don't move! Zora, what are you waiting for? Clean it up!"

He looked panicked, shouting orders at Zora while constantly checking the floor for shards, worried I might step on one.

Was the scene I just witnessed a figment of my imagination? Or had their relationship really become so casual?

Zora went to fetch a broom and carefully swept up the broken pieces around my feet, constantly apologizing and looking rather sheepish.

I stood frozen on the spot, trying to digest the scene I had just witnessed.

It wasn't until Zora had cleared away the shards and Jaylan had put his arms around me that I snapped back to reality, looking at him in a daze.

My longing to see him, my dependency, and the anxiety I felt had all evaporated, replaced with a burning question: weren't they supposed to explain their behavior to me?

Jaylan held me, who was stunned and motionless, as he handed Carl to Zora. Carl immediately clung to her, rubbing his little face against hers.

Pushing Jaylan away, I took Carl from Zora's arms, thinking to myself, "This is my child, not yours."

Zora looked flustered. "Ma'am, I..."

I had the urge to smack her across the face, but looking at Carl in my arms, I held back, reminding myself to stay calm.

"Prepare dinner," I told Zora coldly. She nodded and headed towards the kitchen.