Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan)
Chapter 337

I couldn't help but smile, watching the blossom of joy on that little face as I teased softly, "You caught what I said, didn't you?"

The little baby was even happier, flailing tiny fists in the air. I could nearly feel those little legs kicking in delight.

"Look, look! He's smiling!" Janice exclaimed, her excitement through the roof as she tugged at her husband's sleeve. "Honey, look, he's smiling!" Instantly, all eyes turned our way.

Baber, ever the doting father, cooed, "Sweetheart, who says my boy can't smile? Sure, he's a little bit small, but everything else is perfectly normal!" Janice pouted and playfully glared at Baber who was laughing even more recklessly. "As if I needed you to tell me that!"

Their exchange was so endearing. It was hard not to laugh. Baber's affection and pride in his child were unmistakable.

I handed the baby over to Baber, saying, "Here, hold your son. He's a little charmer. And he's going to be a smart one."

Baber smiled as he awkwardly positioned himself, nervously taking the little guy into his arms. His attempts were both comical and touching.

He kept on asking, "Am I holding him right? Is this okay?"

His fear of hurting the little one made him look almost clumsy.

Trying to hold my laughter, I reassured him, "Just relax, will you? He's your son, not a hand grenade!"

The room erupted in laughter. Baber joined in, though his eyes remained fixed on the baby in his hands.

I couldn't help but steal a glance at Janice. Though she appeared to tease Baber for his clumsiness, her eyes were brimming with nothing but bliss. And that was the essence of true happiness. At that moment, I understood just how wise Janice was in her unconventional choices.

Turning to Janetta, I walked over and sat beside her. "You're looking much better today! I haven't seen you in just a couple of days, and you're already looking more spirited!"

She nodded at me with satisfaction. "Yes, I feel... more alive!"

Janice leaned in with a question. "You weren't at the hospital last night, were you?"

I countered, "Did you visit?"

She nodded. "Yeah! But you weren't there, so I figured you hadn't come back. Something wrong?"

I sighed heavily. "The child... was murdered."

"What?" Janice gasped, clearly shocked. "Is he... gone?"

I briefly explained the situation, and everyone responded with dismay.

Baber, deeply concerned, remarked, "Who got the nerve!"

"The suspect has vanished, and the cops are on it, but there's no footage of him!" I lamented. "Dalton thinks the killer noticed when the police were searching for the body."

"Who could do such a thing? Why can't they leave a child alone?" Janice pressed for answers.

I looked at her and decided to disclose, "Jerome."

"No way... Is it really him?" Janice asked through clenched teeth, "Are you sure?"

"Positive. The cops found evidence that he left the celebration that night. He probably attended just to create an alibi. But I noticed his absence and mentioned it to Dalton. Turned out he was gone for an hour and a half!"

"You figured it out?" Janice looked at me, her eyes full of admiration. "How did you notice?"

"Just following my gut. I saw him leave the venue and followed him..." I recounted the events of that night to Janice.

She yelled at me with concern, "You're too bold! Don't be so reckless next time. It's dangerous!"

Janetta, finding her voice, added, "Lucky... you followed."

I smiled at her. "Yeah, it was a spur-of-the-moment thing. Something about him seemed off. I was just... curious."

"Aaliyah, you're so brave!" Baber praised.

"Jerome is a piece of work; bold yet meticulous, and paranoid to boot. He even dared to return to the crime scene during the investigation. He probably never guessed the police would pinpoint the location so quickly. And then he disappeared," I shrugged with regret.

"Don't worry, they'll catch him," Baber assured, handing his son back to Janice, visibly relieved as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.