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?

Jerome noticed the change in her gaze and let out a resigned laugh.Content rights belong to NôvelDrama.Org.

He gently ruffled Lizetta's hair, "Don't look at me like that. Falling for someone never makes sense. It doesn't ask for reasons or status. It just happens, and I didn't expect to feel this way either.

It was only after seeing you again did I realize that I remembered every detail of our first meeting. Perhaps, I was already moved back then, but unfortunately, I overlooked it."

That initial oversight had now turned into a slight regret.

Without realizing it, he'd found himself drawn to her, and compassion often leads to deeper feelings.

Lizetta stood there, her expression a mix of daze and panic.

Jerome, however, had already pulled back, slightly bending towards her with a half-smile.

"Don't feel pressured. My feelings for you aren't overwhelming."

He squinted slightly, holding up his pinky finger.

"Just wanting to help you within my means, to support your decisions, nothing more."

Lizetta looked at Jerome's pinky, not sure whether to laugh or cry.

She then met his gaze, his deep eyes clear and smiling, relaxed and candid.

His focus was gentle, not intense or mad, but comfortably warm.

Lizetta found herself smiling, "To like just a little bit, this is the first time I've heard such a confession."

It was indeed unique.

Jerome

twink ghtened up, his eyes

"Well, it wasn't even at

bet

stage, but I was soft of

pushed into it, wasn't I?" Content

Lizetta felt her cheeks warm up again, urging him, "Weren't you leaving? You should hurry. The

roads are bad in the snow, don't

miss your flight."

Watching him walk away with a smirk, she admired his broad back and bit her lip.

She realized Jerome was indeed a shrewd businessman.

Saying he liked her just a bit eased the awkwardness and left her without words to refuse him.

Their interaction felt less tense.

But this subtle, warm approach was sometimes more dangerous than a fierce onslaught.

After Jerome left, Lizetta sat by the window for breakfast as usual. Dora came in after clearing the snow from the yard. Lizetta turned to her and asked, "Has someone moved into the house up the hill behind us?"

She was thinking of the snowman by the house that used to be empty.

Dora took off her gloves, having also noticed it while clearing the snow. She shook her head.

"It seems someone has moved in, but I haven't seen anyone coming or going. Probably just a tourist."