Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan)
Chapter 479

The more I thought about it, the more fear clawed at my insides, setting my nerves on edge. I was so pent up with frustration that I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs.

Just then, my phone buzzed with Camilla's name flashing on the screen. I couldn't muster the energy to deal with her and ignored the call.

But Camilla was persistent. She called again, and with a sigh, I swiped to answer. Her voice came through, timid and hesitant, and it only served to irk me further. "What do you want," I said, my tone cold. She must have sensed the iciness in my voice because her words stumbled out even more nervously.

"Um... Aaliyah, I... I..." she fumbled, and it was clear she was struggling to get to the point.

"Just spit it out, Camilla. You don't have to beat around the bush with me," I coaxed with as much patience as I could muster. "I'm no longer one of the Dawsons. There's no need to tiptoe around what you can or cannot say."

My blunt words seemed to stun her into silence before she finally spoke again, "Aaliyah, I know you and Jaylan have split, and I'm happy for you. And I know you hate me, but I..."

I cut her off, "No, you're still part of the Dawson clan, and there are some things beyond your control. I get it. If that's what you wanted to talk about, then don't worry. I have other things to..."

But she interrupted, desperate not to lose the connection. "No, it's not that. I know where Jerome is, and who he's with!"

I tensed, gripping the phone tighter, holding my breath as she rattled off an address. "He's with that woman there. I lied to you about him coming back because I was scared of him. He threatened me, and I felt powerless to leave him."

There was an authentic note of vulnerability in her voice. Living in fear of Jerome was her stark reality.

"We have a daughter. What else could I do?" she continued, pouring out her worries. "But today, you made me sure that child was his son, and that he was killed by Jerome's own hands. I can't coddle him anymore. Let the police catch him, so I can live a normal life!"

Camilla's revelation shocked me. I had thought she was content with enduring, unwilling to leave Jerome's side. Yet, I still played it safe, softening my voice, "I understand where you're coming from, but now that I've left the Dawsons behind, I want nothing to do with their mess. Whatever happens to them is none of my business anymore."

"Oh... right," she said after a moment of silence. "Then I've got nothing else."

"Alright then, thanks for trusting me," I said, trying to put her at ease about the children. "Don't worry about Fidelia, I'll bring her back after a few days, in time for school." Her relieved cheer was evident as we ended the call.

Thinking over Camilla's words, I was surprised she had given up Jerome's location. The woman she mentioned-I wasn't sure if it was Clara or Renata-but one thing was clear: Jerome wasn't alone. I quickly sent the address to Ronan.

Though I knew the police's game was to watch him but not catch, hoping to lure out the puppet master of the black market, I had a hunch that keeping an eye on Clara might be useful. She could lead us to Zora and, ultimately, to my Carl.

Ronan and I discussed my thoughts, and he took the chance to insist I eat something.

The night was deep, and suddenly, a deluge of rain poured down.

Sleep eluded me that night. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Carl drooling, turning to look at me with a beaming smile, calling me 'mommy'. His image, intertwined with flashes of Evan and Hazel, tormented me, leaving me restless with a splitting headache.

Finally, dawn arrived, and with heavy dark circles under my eyes, I staggered downstairs, only to find Logan in the living room, his face etched with exhaustion.