Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan)
Chapter 494

Zora stood with a malicious grin plastered on her face, her voice booming with a mix of arrogance and challenge. "What's the matter, Aaliyah? Scared? I thought you were all tough and mighty, always looking down on everyone. What's got you groveling at my feet now?"

Her words struck a nerve, and inside my head I cursed, "Damn you!" Was I scared of her? No, it was sheer exhaustion that brought me to my knees, and if there was any fear, it was for the safety of my son. But what came out of my mouth was a meek plea, "Yes, I admit it, I'm scared of you, Zora. Would you please put him down? Let's talk this through."

Gasping for air, I tried to speak calmly, my eyes never leaving my little Carl as he reached out for me, tears streaming down his cheeks, crying, "Mommy... Mommy!"

Zora's eyes flashed with fury as she slapped Carl's hand away and yelled, "Shut it! Cry one more time, and I'll throw you off this cliff!"

Carl's crying intensified as he sobbed, "You're mean! I want my mommy!"

The pain in my heart was unbearable as I watched my child suffer. Fighting back my own tears, I glared at Zora, "Don't hit him, Zora. Don't take your anger out on the child." She roared back, "So what if I do? Even if it means his death, it's just a matter of one move for me."

I was breathless, locked in a stare-down with her until I managed to regain my composure.

"Please... put him down. I'll take his place. You hate me, right? Here I am. He's just a child; he doesn't understand anything. Don't lash out at him," I pleaded, swallowing my pride. "Not a chance, Aaliyah. You think you're so kind-hearted? I'll make sure you watch how he dies!" Zora was unyielding, taunting me further.

I shook my head and inched toward her, "Stop! It's my fault. Just give me Carl, please..."

Zora took a step back, "No... back off..."

The stones at the edge of the cliff tumbled down as I froze in terror.

My legs felt like jelly, and I was overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness.

Hannah grabbed me, pinching my waist as a warning, "Don't move. Come back! Step back!"

Her gesture was a silent command to stay calm. Even the officers who had arrived on the scene were too cautious to make a move.

"Zora, I won't move," I promised repeatedly, trying to calm both her and Carl.

Zora's eyes were bloodshot, her face deathly pale, her grip on Carl unsteady. Carl struggled in her arms, desperate to break free.

Seeing that I was standing still, Carl cried even louder, gasping between sobs, "Mommy... I want Mommy..."

I watched helplessly as he cried out. Despite his young age, he was smart enough to sense the danger. When he caught Zora's angry gaze, he slapped her, shouting, "You're bad! I don't want you; I want Mommy!"

"Carl!" My heart ached as I cried, "Don't move, be good!"

I feared his defiance might provoke Zora, who was nothing short of a madwoman.

Suddenly, a furious roar came from behind, "Zora, you're looking for death! Put my child down! If anyone's going to die, it should be you! Give me the kid!"

Everyone was stunned by the outburst. I spun around to see Jaylan, who had leaped up from below and was now glaring at Zora, his chest heaving with anger. Caught off guard by Jaylan's sudden appearance, Zora stared at the enraged man, clearly taken aback.

My heart raced as I watched the scene unfold, noticing out of the corner of my eye that Larkin was slowly moving in their direction.

Jaylan marched toward her, pointing and shouting, "How dare you messing with my child! Hand him over quickly, or else, Zora, today you're done for!"

Jaylan's bravado was on full display for all to see, striding toward Zora without a care.

However, he wasn't aware of what Zora had just done he had misjudged the fury of a woman pushed to the edges of her sanity. A gentle approach might have had a chance at calming the madwoman down.

As expected, upon hearing Jaylan's words, Zora's rage exploded. She snarled at him like a feral wolf, backing away until she was at the very edge of the cliff.