Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

"My mom was the assistant and close friend of the late Ms. Madden, Elsa. During a construction site inspection, an accident happened, and my mom died protecting Florence."

Suddenly, a voice came from beside her, causing Lizetta to turn her head in slight surprise, looking at Jerome.

He was looking down at her, making Lizetta realize that he was explaining his connection to the Madden family.

"So that's the story. You must have been quite young back then?"

"Yeah, I grew up in a single-parent home and was barely five when Florence took me to the Madden family. To prevent me from being looked down upon, she gave me the Madden surname, calling her aunt. Aunt Florence was pregnant with Nia at the time but treated me no different than her own. When she passed away, Mr. and Mrs. Madden treated me like their own grandchild, and I've always seen Nia as nothing but my sister..."

By the end of his explanation, Lizetta understood he wasn't just explaining his background but also clarifying his relationship with Andrea.

I see.

Lizetta thought it over; if Jerome was truly raised by the Madden family to be a groomed husband, why would they change his surname to Madden? Treating him as one of their own was the only reason for the surname change. If it were for a son-in-law, there wouldn't have been a name change. But Jerome didn't need to explain all this to her.

Lizetta's gaze shifted, her eyelashes fluttering rapidly, "Actually, I..."

Before she could finish, Jerome chuckled.

forgiving him is just a matter of time.

was taken aback, not expecting his straightforwardness, feeling both

at a loss for words, she finally managed to say

tone slightly exasperated, "Because you really never give anyone a glimmer of

accusing tone made Lizetta feel shy, unsure of how

gaze shifted to one of friendly teasing,

also struggling, unable to share her turmoil with anyone, not even

what right did she

the heart is not always under

be pathetic to forgive him, would people look down on me?" Lizetta

of reflection, Jerome shook his head with a

look down on you? Matters of the heart are personal; there's no question of being pathetic or not. If you forgive him, it only shows that the warmth and touch he gave you are enough to offset the pain he

wasn't sure if that was the case, but flashes of Luminesia

care for her brother, his goofy smile during Daisy's sonogram, and his protective stance when

they were each other's salvation, if there were a first love,

up on expecting anything

she began to look forward to his promise of a new start. Could a new beginning