Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Lizetta looked away, a blush creeping up her cheeks, finding it hard to meet Jerome's gaze. She was about to brush off the tension with a laugh when she heard his voice, smooth and tinged with amusement, from above.

"You're pretty straightforward, aren't you?"

"Uh?" Lizetta looked up, puzzled.

Jerome raised an eyebrow, "I didn't want to scare you, but it seems like you've turned the tables on me."

Lizetta was at a loss for words.

Jerome chuckled, "That's right, I like you."

His admission was candid.

Once everything was out in the open, Lizetta felt less uneasy. She touched her pregnant belly in astonishment, clearly confused.

"But why? I mean, this doesn't make any sense."

Their interactions had been limited. Excluding a brief encounter years ago, by the time they met again, she was already pregnant and he was taking her to the hospital.

Lizetta's expression turned peculiar as a thought crossed her mind.

She wondered if Jerome was one of those men who sought thrill in unconventional relationships. Did he really have such unusual tastes?

gaze and let

sense. It doesn't ask for reasons or status. It just happens,

after seeing you again did I realize that I remembered every detail of our first meeting. Perhaps, I was

now

to her,

stood there, her expression a mix

had already pulled back, slightly

pressured. My feelings for you

slightly, holding up his pinky

my means, to

at Jerome's pinky, not sure whether to

gaze, his deep eyes clear and smiling, relaxed

not intense or

found herself smiling, "To like just a little bit,

It was indeed unique.

Jerome

up, his

wasn't even

bet

I was soft

into it, wasn't I?"