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.

"So, you still love him, forgiving him is just a matter of time. You're trying to let me down gently again, aren't you?"

Lizetta was taken aback, not expecting his straightforwardness, feeling both embarrassed and exposed.

Finding herself at a loss for words, she finally managed to say after a moment, "Is it that obvious?"

Jerome raised an eyebrow, his tone slightly exasperated, "Because you really never give anyone a glimmer of hope." Lizetta, "..."

His somewhat accusing tone made Lizetta feel shy, unsure of how to respond.

However, Jerome's gaze shifted to one of friendly teasing, making the atmosphere relax.

During this time, Lizetta was also struggling, unable to share her turmoil with anyone, not even Yolanda.

Yolanda had been severely injured at the wedding because of her; what right did she have to forgive Remington and go back to him?

But the heart is not always under our control...

"Would it be pathetic to forgive him, would people look down on me?" Lizetta laughed self-deprecatingly.

After a moment of reflection, Jerome shook his head with a smile.

"Forgiveness requires more courage than leaving. Why would anyone 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 caused."

Lizetta wasn't sure if that was the case, but flashes of Luminesia opening the window to see a

snowman, of Remington appearing in the snowy landscape, his care for her brother, his goofy smile during Daisy's sonogram, and his protective stance when Hans showed up...

And his words, that they were each other's salvation, if there were a first love, no one could precede her...

She had given up on expecting anything from love.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

But somehow, she began to look forward to his promise of a new start. Could a new beginning lead to a different ending? "Thank you, Jerome, you..."

Lizetta looked up at Jerome, her eyes clearing a bit, less troubled.

But before she could finish, Jerome raised his hand to stop her.

"Let me guess, time to hand me the consolation prize of a good friend card? Skip it, I don't take kindly to insincere praise. How about you agree to a real request instead?"

"What?" Lizetta was amused by his response and tone.

Jerome's smile softened, his voice smooth. "If he hurts you again, give me a chance, okay?"

Lizetta froze, and Jerome clicked his tongue.

"Is it lack of confidence in him, or... am I just that unlikable?"

With the conversation reaching this point, Lizetta couldn't help but laugh. "Okay," she agreed with a smile.

"Okay, what? What did you just agree to!"

Just as Lizetta's words fell, a familiar, deep voice came from not far away - Remington's.