Shattered Illusions Love Lies and Redemption (Lizetta and Remington) novel Chapter 1368

Kimberley felt a wildly intense, almost suffocating jealousy toward Lizetta.

She had fully expected to hate the woman. After all, nobody liked their romantic rival.

But standing right in front of her, flashing a bright, friendly smile, Lizetta radiated nothing but absolute sincerity. Kimberley could feel the genuine warmth radiating from her, making it clear that her claim of being a 'fan' wasn't just empty politeness.

Moreover, she was stunning in person, carrying an aura that was incredibly pure and untainted.

Kimberley realized that some people were simply so blessed and radiant that it was entirely impossible to hate them.

Forcing down the complicated mess of bitterness in her chest, Kimberley took a small step forward.

"Hello, Ms. Madden."

Lizetta shot her a quick wink, then suddenly gasped.

"Someone is coming! Don't let them recognize you! Get inside quickly!"

Without warning, Lizetta practically tackled Jerome from behind, shoving him violently through the doorway.

Caught completely off guard, Jerome stumbled forward just as Kimberley was taking a step out.

The collision was instant and hard.

The moment the familiar yet intoxicatingly foreign scent of the man wrapped around her—acting like a lethal poison engineered specifically for her—Kimberley's cheeks flared crimson, and her legs instantly turned to jelly.

Jerome's towering frame carried so much momentum that the impact sent Kimberley staggering backward.

Just as she was about to completely lose her balance and crash to the floor, a powerful arm wrapped securely around her waist. Simultaneously, the man planted his other hand firmly against the wall behind her, stabilizing them both.

The air in the room instantly evaporated. Kimberley felt like she was suffocating.

This was the closest she had been to him in over four years. Her mind short-circuited entirely, and the only sound she could comprehend was her own heart pounding like a drum.

"Have a good chat, you two! I'm leaving. Good luck!"

Lizetta's voice rang out cheerfully from the hallway, followed immediately by the heavy slam of the door as she locked them inside.

In a fraction of a second, absolute panic shattered her daze.

Oh God. Candy!

She had been so thrown off by Jerome and Lizetta suddenly appearing at her door that she had completely forgotten about the reality of her situation.

It hit her like a freight train—she absolutely could not let this man see Candy.

"Why did you suddenly come to Zion City?"

She quickly scrambled after him. She had never been so insanely grateful that Mrs. Gable had taken Candy down to the park to play and they weren't in the room.

Jerome didn't answer her question. Instead, his sharp eyes rapidly scanned every corner of the space.

The layout, the little clothes folded neatly on the bed, the stuffed animals, and the cartoon hair ties sitting on the nightstand—everything definitively proved that this was a child's hospital room.

And Kimberley wasn't wearing a hospital gown; she was wearing a form-fitting knit dress.