Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan)
Chapter 320

My words seemed to put her at ease and she refilled my tea cup with a warm smile.

"You're right," she agreed, "Being away from that mother-in-law of mine is definitely a cause for celebration! Not having a family to answer to does have its perks, less worries and more peace. My family is nothing compared to yours. I'm just grateful that Jerome has been there to stand up for me, or else they would have made my life miserable!"

"They've been giving you trouble?" I asked, surprised.

"Yes. My brother used to come around asking for money all the time. If I refused, my mother would start yelling and throwing fits. But then one time Jerome caught him in the act and gave him a good thrashing. Since then, they've been keeping their distance."

"Seriously?"

She nodded and laughed, "I can't rely on them, and they can't rely on me. It's a good arrangement! The only one I feel bad for is Fidelia. Other children have loving grandparents, but poor Fidelia has neither a doting grandmother nor a caring uncle!"

"Don't worry about that," I reassured her, "I'll be there for her. We may be outsiders to others, but we have to look out for each other."

Camilla smiled, "Thank you, Aaliyah! You're the only one who's been so good to us. It's comforting to know that we do have someone to rely on."

"What if Jerome doesn't approve of our closeness?" I asked tentatively.

It was a practical concern. In the past, Jerome might have discouraged Camilla from getting too close to me.

After a moment of consideration, Camilla assured me, "I don't think he will mind. Besides, he barely comes home and hardly has any concern for us. He never asks about Fidelia's school or what she does daily, or if she has any friends."

"How often does he come home?" I asked, deciding to dive straight into the matter.

"Well, it's hard to say. Sometimes it's every two weeks, sometimes a few months, and sometimes he doesn't come home for a whole year. I wonder if he even considers this as his home anymore," Camilla replied with a hint of sadness.

“That's quite tough. But you mentioned he gives you some money?"

I was curious. Jerome must have money, considering what he took from Medsafe Liyah Inc. I couldn't believe he would spend it all.

"Yes, he leaves some money whenever he comes home. But it's barely enough for us to get by for a few months," Camilla admitted.

I couldn't understand why Camilla would put up with such a marriage.

"So, what kind of job are you doing now?" I asked, eager to know more.

"I'm a delivery person for a hospital. I run errands for a pharmaceutical company and earn a bit," she said, at which point I immediately thought of Irving.

"Is it Elixir Pharma Limited?" I asked.

Camilla shook her head, "No, it's Protea Medicals."

"Oh!" I responded. I knew Protea Medicals was a small company.

"But it has its perks. I have a flexible schedule, which allows me to take care of Fidelia," she said, sounding content.

"So, you must be familiar with all the hospitals?" I asked.

For some reason, I was particularly sensitive to the word 'hospital', and it surprised me to find out that Camilla was also associated with them.

"I know of them, but I wouldn't say I'm familiar. I just deliver what they need, especially in the mornings when it's busiest. The afternoons are much more relaxing," she said, sounding somewhat evasive. I knew that pharmaceutical reps often had good relationships with doctors.

Then it hit me - the last time I saw her at the hospital, she was probably there to deliver medicine. So why did she tell me she was feeling unwell?