Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan)
Chapter 317

Following Camilla's address, I easily found their home. I had to say, despite this being a home Jerome had swapped for later, it was already considered an old neighborhood.

I recalled what Hannah told me two nights ago. The address where Jaylan used to meet with Jerome was in such a tranquil and elegant place. The contrast between there and here was like heaven and hell. Jerome was really something, treating his wife and daughter like this. He was truly a model of heartlessness. Who could forget how Camilla had fallen out with her own family? I certainly didn't. The memory was still fresh in my mind.

Hannah pulled out two large bags of gifts from the trunk we had picked up on our way, and we started towards the building. I wondered if Camilla knew about Jerome's actions.

Reaching their door, I knocked. A soft, youthful voice came from inside, clearly a young girl.

"Who is it?"

"Fidelia, it's me, Aaliyah!" I responded gently.

The sound of the door being unlocked quickly came from inside. She was clearly excited.

The door opened, and I saw Fidelia, whom I hadn't seen in many years.

Honestly, the young girl looked a bit like my daughter Monique. The Dawsons all had good looks, and so did Fidelia. She was very pretty with shining eyes and sexy lips.

She was taller than Monique, standing at the entrance with a shy look in her eyes, full of astonishment, excitement, and a hint of confusion.

She carefully called out, "Aunt Aaliyah!"

I smiled kindly, "Fidelia, it's been too long!"

I stepped forward, and she quickly stepped back to let me in, "Please come in, Aunt Aaliyah!"

I took another step forward, put my arm around her shoulder, and walked in together.

"Are you home alone?" I asked as I looked around their place.

The place was quite spacious and decently decorated. Although the design was clearly a few years old, it was very clean and orderly. Camilla had done a great job maintaining it.

"Mom will be back soon!" Fidelia looked up at me, smiling contentedly. "Aunt Aaliyah, make yourself at home!"

"Your home is so clean and cozy. Your mom is really good at keeping up!" I genuinely complimented her. "What do you usually do when you're home alone?"

"I... do homework, read books, watch TV!" She answered cautiously.

"Well, what keeps your mom so busy that you're often home alone?" I asked casually, but with the intention of finding out more.

"Mom has to work, delivering goods for people!" Fidelia answered promptly.

"She's been working?" I was a bit surprised. "Where does she work?"

In my impression, Jerome wouldn't let Camilla work, and I always felt that Camilla's personality wasn't suited for work.

In my memory, she was utterly submissive, enduring hardship without complaint.

Even though the latter was a great virtue, her submissiveness definitely overshadowed it.

Hannah brought the two big bags inside and placed them on the coffee table. Before we could talk much, Camilla hurriedly rushed back home.

She quickly put down her bag, started boiling water for tea, and didn't forget to greet me, "Aaliyah! I never expected you to come here!"

"Camilla, it's my fault. We have such a close relationship, I should have visited more often!" I stood up and walked to the kitchen. "Don't rush, just sit down and let's chat!"

"In a bit!" She gestured to me. "You go sit down. Don't say it's your fault, if anything, it's mine. You've been sick for so long, I should have visited you..."

"Fidelia mentioned that you're working?" I asked while looking at her. "Does Jerome... know that?"

Her expression froze, and her mouth twitched a couple of times, "I... he has long stopped caring for us!"

This answer was both expected and unexpected. Because I didn't know to what extent Jerome had stopped caring.

"He... stopped caring?" I asked doubtfully. "What do you mean?"

Camilla quickly glanced at me, "It's been a long time! So... I need to work, to support my child!"

I was somewhat shocked. I never imagined Jerome's 'not caring' would go as far as not providing for his child.

This inevitably made me feel awkward. After all, such topics were usually embarrassing, but I still pressed on, "How long has it been?"