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?

the change in her gaze and let out a

at me like that. Falling for someone never makes sense. It doesn't ask for reasons or status. It just happens, and I

you again did I realize that I remembered every detail of our first meeting. Perhaps, I was already moved back then, but

initial oversight had now turned into a

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

expression a mix of

had already pulled back, slightly bending towards her with

pressured. My feelings for you

squinted slightly, holding up

within my means, to support your

Jerome's pinky, not sure whether to

his deep eyes

intense or mad, but

"To like just a little bit, this is the first time I've heard such

It was indeed unique.

Jerome

up, his

wasn't

bet

but I

into it, wasn't I?"