Shattered Illusions Love Lies and Redemption (Lizetta and Remington) novel Chapter 1397

Ever since Liz had pushed Jerome toward Candy's hospital room, she had been anxiously waiting for an update.

The gossip was burning a hole in her brain. She was dying to know how a grounded, composed man like Jerome would react when he realized he had a mini-me running around. She was insanely curious about the history between Kimberley and Jerome—especially since he clearly had no idea Kimberley had given birth to his child!

So, the second her phone rang, Liz answered instantly. "Jerome, you saw her, right? Well? How did it go?"

Jerome wasn't oblivious to Kimberley's bizarre reactions earlier. He could sense that the tension centered entirely around that little girl, Candy.

The kid was obviously Kimberley's daughter, but what did that have to do with him? Why was she so overly defensive, terrified he might even get near the girl?

Jerome hadn't pushed to interact with the little girl simply because he noticed Kimberley panicking, her face turning completely pale.

He had respected her boundaries and left, but that didn't mean his suspicions were gone. A fleeting thought crossed his mind, but he couldn't quite put the pieces together. That was why his first instinct had been to call Liz. She clearly knew something.

Hearing the raw excitement in her voice, Jerome tested the waters. "I saw her. That little girl..."

He trailed off deliberately, and Liz instantly took the bait. "Candy is your daughter, isn't she? There's no other explanation for why they look so alike! Seriously, Jerome, what is the deal between you and Kimberley? She gave birth to your kid and raised her all this time, and you didn't step up? Let me tell you, Candy is sick..."

Liz couldn't stop rambling. Jerome gripped his phone tightly. For a split second, his mind went entirely blank, short-circuiting.

Her words echoed relentlessly in his ears.

Jerome snapped back to reality. "Liz," he said, his voice dropping an octave. "Do you have a picture of Candy? Send it to me. Right now."

"Uh, sure, but why do you need my photos? Aren't you with Kimberley and Candy right now? I was waiting for the emotional father-daughter reunion so you could send me a cute family selfie."

Even though Liz sounded thoroughly confused, she picked up on the tight, urgent edge to Jerome's voice. She opened WhatsApp and instantly forwarded him the pictures.

At the ping of the WhatsApp notification, Jerome pulled the phone away from his ear. His fingers actually trembled as he tapped on the image.

The moment the photo filled his screen, his eyes went wide. A rush of chaotic, disjointed memories suddenly flooded his mind.