Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan)
Chapter 493

Hannah steadied me with a firm grip. "Sis, don't panic. Just stay put. We'll go up and I promise I'll bring your little guy back safe and sound!"

My heart was thumping in my chest, and I shook my head stubbornly, asserting, "No way, I'm going to get my child myself!"

The old nun, chanting prayers quietly to herself, stepped forward, "I'll lead you up," she offered.

We were concerned for her; after all, she was advanced in age.

But she strode ahead, surprisingly sprightly, outpacing even the younger ones among us.

I followed closely behind. This was about my son's life, after all.

I understood then what they meant by 'a mother's strength.' I would rather die on the path to finding my son than stand still.

As we walked, the old nun told us about her bond with Zora.

Zora was just a child when they met. She would often come to the old nun bruised and battered, seeking refuge. She was a good kid, quick on her feet and sweet-talking, helping out with chores in the chapel, a delight to have around.

Then, one day, she was terrified by the advances of her monstrous father. It was only after being forcibly taken home by that drunken brute that the trouble really started.

Before she left, Zora had come to bid the old nun farewell.

Worried, the old nun pressed her for where she was going. Zora reassured her that she had company.

As we continued our ascent, the old nun went on, "When she said someone was with her, I was relieved. Every year, she'd send word or gifts back to me. She was a child of heart and honor."

A child of heart and honor?

That was the most ludicrous thing I'd heard. So, Zora had another side to her.

"This time, she brought back a child, she said he was her son. I believed her. She said she wanted to stay longer, and my gut told me something was up again. But I didn't dare ask." Her son? I thought, scoffing inwardly. That's my son. But I kept silent.

The old nun sighed, "I hadn't seen her in years, and she had changed so much. There was a harshness in her eyes, a deadly aura."

I asked casually, trying to hide my concern, "What time did she leave last night? Do you know what she was up to?"

"Last night, after she put the child to sleep, she left. She didn't say where to. But she didn't return until just before dawn, reeking of bloodlust and the smell of blood.

Before I could ask, she said she had to leave. I pressed her, and all she said was someone was coming for her. Little did I know she was embroiled in such trouble. Oh, what sins, what sins!"

I was gasping for breath, climbing after them, listening to The old nun's tale. To think, someone actually called Zora a good kid!

What she had done was utterly condemnable!

We hadn't reached the summit when I heard Carl's heartbreaking cries and Zora's shouting, ordering people to back off, "Everyone, back off, or I'll jump with him right here, back off..." By then, I was running on fumes, but Carl's cries were like a shot of adrenaline.

I shouted, "Zora, don't!" Ignoring everything, I scrambled up the narrow path that barely accommodated one, my fear of heights forgotten in the face of my son's peril.

Hannah was right beside me, protecting me from any misstep.

As I reached the top, I saw my Carl struggling in Zora's arms, his cries tearing at my heart.

I collapsed onto the flat rock, gasping for air, and reached out desperately to Zora, "Zora, calm down... please, just calm down!"

Carl caught sight of me, his struggles intensifying, his voice piercing as he cried, "Mommy... Mommy! Baby wants Mommy!"

My heart was overwhelmed with emotion, tears streaming as I fought for breath, "My son, don't be scared, Mommy's here for you!"

Then I turned to Zora, "Zora, let Carl go. You can't... you can't keep making these mistakes. He's innocent. Hand him over to me, and we can talk this through!" Zora responded with a maniacal laugh, her sanity seemingly slipping away.

My eyes glued to her feet, which were just a step from the cliff's edge. Her laughter made her teeter dangerously, and I felt my own soul about to leap out in fear.