Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Jerry watched as Lizetta wished she could just disappear into thin air, a slight smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "Confidence is a good thing."NôvelDrama.Org owns all content.

Lizetta's face turned a bright shade of red. She had been praying that Jerry hadn't picked up on her subtle rejection, but clearly, he had no issues with emotional intelligence. The one with the problem was her. Feeling utterly embarrassed, Lizetta stammered, "Well, in that case, I won't bother you any longer. Maybe some other time when Mr. Madden is free, I could invite Mr. Madden..."

She turned to leave, but once again, her coat was gently tugged from behind. Recognizing the familiar force and location, Lizetta turned around to see Mrs. Bernice Madden, but this time, tears filled the old lady's eyes, her expression one of confusion and sorrow.

"Elsa, where are you going? Won't you come home with mom?"

Lizetta, seeing Mrs. Madden about to cry, was at a loss. She looked to Jerry for help, and he stepped forward, wrapping his arm around his grandmother, then said in a gentle voice to Lizetta, "My grandma thinks you're her deceased daughter, Elsa Madden. Don't take it to heart."

At this, Mrs. Bernice Madden became upset, slapping Jerry's arm.

"Jerry, don't you start thinking I'm going senile! I am not. This is my Elsa, and Elsa's expecting my granddaughter Andrea. Aren't you going to call her aunt?"

Lizetta remembered hearing from Remington that Nelson Madden and his wife had only one daughter, Elsa, who had passed away early. Jerry was adopted by the Madden family, and he had mentioned that Lizetta reminded him of an important relative. It seemed he was referring to Elsa.

"Call her," urged Mrs. Bernice Madden, while Lizetta hesitated, not wanting to distress the old lady by correcting her. Before Lizetta could resolve her dilemma, Jerry, in an attempt to cheer his grandmother, indeed called out, "Aunt."

Lizetta, "..."

Suddenly, she had a grown nephew, and it wasn't even her fault. Seeing the helpless look on Jerry's handsome face, Lizetta couldn't help but let a smile escape her eyes.

Jerry locked eyes with her, feigning annoyance as he slightly squinted, then his lips curled into a slight smile.

Just then, a young woman in a red dress hurried over.

"Grandma, why are you wandering off again! I just went to give directions, and when I turn around, you're gone!"

The woman approached and pulled Mrs. Madden away. Mrs. Madden was still clutching Lizetta's coat, causing Lizetta to stumble a step, which Jerry quickly steadied her by the arm.

"Are you okay?" Jerry asked, looking

down at her. Lizetta shook her head slightly and Jerry turned his gaze to the woman, his expression hardening as he said, "Wendy, you're being rude."

Mrs. Madden shook off Wendy's hand, annoyed, "Don't pull me, I want to stay with Elsa!" She returned to Lizetta's side, gripping her coat tightly once again.

Wendy, feeling slighted by their treatment, looked to Jerry and said with a hint of grievance, "Bro, I was just worked about grandma. There are so many people at the airport, and if grandma wanders off and gets lost, or if something bad

happens to her..."

Mrs. Madden immediately waved her off, "I'm with Elsa, and Elsa is not a bad person. Elsa even bought me strawberry shortcake! It's sweet!"

Wendy glanced at Lizetta, then stepped forward, frowning as she took the strawberry shortcake from Mrs. Madden's hands.

"Grandma, how many times have I

told you not to just eat things strangers give you? What if it had something bad in it? You could get taken away by bad people, locked in a dark room, and never see grandpa and us again."