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.
Jerraised 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.
Jerchuckled, "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? | mean, this doesn't make any sense."
Their interactions had been limited. Excluding a brief encounter years ago, by the tthey 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.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
She wondered if Jerwas one of those men who sought thrill in unconventional relationships. Did he really
have such unusual tastes?
Jernoticed the change in her gaze and let out a resigned laugh.
He gently ruffled Lizetta's hair, "Don't look atlike that. Falling for someone never makes sense. It doesn't ask
for reasons or status. It just happens, and | didn't expect to feel this way either.
It was only after seeing you again did | realize that | remembered every detail of our first meeting. Perhaps, | was
already moved back then, but unfortunately, | 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 tI've heard such a confession."
It was indeed unique.
Jerome
twink ghtened up, his eyes
"Well, it wasn't even at
bet
stage, but | was soft of
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
pushed into it, wasn't 1?" 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 Jerwas 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 Jerleft, Lizetta sat by the window for breakfast as usual. Dora cin 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 | haven't seen anyone coming or going. Probably just a tourist."