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?

noticed the change in her gaze

Lizetta's hair, "Don't look at me like that. Falling for someone never makes sense. It doesn't ask for reasons or

did I realize that I remembered every detail of our first meeting.

had now

realizing it, he'd found himself drawn to her, and compassion often leads

her expression a mix of

slightly

My feelings

slightly, holding

my means, to support your decisions, nothing

looked at Jerome's pinky, not sure whether to

deep eyes clear and smiling,

gentle, not intense or mad, but

little bit, this is the first time

It was indeed unique.

Jerome

ghtened up, his

wasn't even

bet

but I

it, wasn't I?"