Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Her hands were warm and soft, much like Fiona's.Content rights belong to NôvelDrama.Org.

They were the hands of someone who lived a life of comfort and ease, Lizetta noted. The elderly lady carried herself with a grace reminiscent of Fiona's.

She exuded a peaceful aura, the kind that comes with age, not at all the type to mean harm.

So, Lizetta signaled to the approaching bodyguard to hold back.

The elderly lady, as Lizetta had guessed, didn't drag her away but instead stopped in front of a bakery's display window. She pointed at a dessert behind the glass, smiling at Lizetta.

"I'm hungry, I'd really like to have that. Could you treat me to it?" she asked, her eyes gleaming like a child asking for candy.

Lizetta realized the lady was somewhat disoriented, probably separated from her family.

With a gentle smile growing on her face, Lizetta nodded, "Of course, I can do that for you, but you'll have to promise me one thing in return."

The elderly lady nodded eagerly, as if afraid Lizetta might change her mind and the dessert would vanish.

Laughing softly, Lizetta led the lady into the bakery and ordered her a strawberry soufflé pancake.

As they sat down, Lizetta pushed the dessert towards her and said, "Here's your treat. Could you give me your family's phone number now?"

The lady looked at the dessert and then stood up, "Just a moment."

Her movements were swift for her age, and she quickly walked over to the cashier's counter.

She returned with a spoon, handed it to Lizetta, and pushed the dessert between them, smiling warmly, "Elsa, isn't this your favorite strawberry pancake? You have to share it with me, eat up." Lizetta, puzzled, wondered who Elsa was.

It seemed she had been mistaken for a family member. Reluctantly, under the lady's insistent urging, she shared the dessert with her.

Lizetta also scanned the lady for any contact information, finding none.

Worried her family might be frantic, Lizetta gently coaxed her into taking a photo.

Exiting the bakery, Lizetta waved over her bodyguard, Dean, and instructed, "Can you take this photo to the radio station for help?" After Dean left with her phone, Lizetta turned and was surprised to see a familiar figure approaching.

It was Jerome, his coat billowing behind him as he walked briskly towards her.

Seeing him, Lizetta's heart tightened, recalling his previous confession of affection during their time in Luminesia. Clearly, Dora was Jerome's hire, and it was unusual for her to return without their boss personally picking her up.

Yet here was Jerome, and Lizetta had been feeling a change in her own feelings lately.

Believing in being decisive when not intending to give hope, she braced herself for Jerome's approach.

Before he could speak, she stepped

back, gesturing towards the bodyguard she had left behind, and started, "Mr. Madden, worried about me in my condition? I forgot to tel you, I have a bodyguard with me, left by Remington. You've been a great help in Luminesia, a real lifesaver to both me and the baby. When you're free, I'd like to invite you and Remington for a meal, to properly thank you..."

Jerome looked momentarily stunned.

Just then, the bakery door opened and the elderly lady came out,

beaming, holding her dessert net

"Tang

Took, someone treated me to a

Sherry pancake, it's delicious!"

Jerome smiled, taking out a napkin to wipe the cream from the lady's mouth, then turned to Lizetta with a smile, "This is my grandmother, I'm here to pick her up."

Lizetta, "..."