Jerome stood under the umbre, his handsome face shadowed by a touch of chill.


    He was clearly not happy. Ever since Lizetta arrived in Zion City, they had been living under the same roof. But, much to his dismay, they hadn''t shared a single dinner, just the two of them.


    This morning, Lizetta had visited him at the hospital and promised they''d have dinner together at home. Jerome had been looking forward to it all day.


    But then, Remington had to show up, as persistent as ever, determined to ruin his evening.


    Their eyes met, and the tension between them crackled in the damp air, like the calm before a storm.


    "One meal is something the Madden family can certainly afford," Jerome said, a hint of a challenge in his voice. "Besides, I heard from Liz that Mr. Dashiell''s been quite helpful these days. If we were to put the past aside, we should thank him properly. But tonight might not be the best time."


    Remington wasn''t oblivious to Jerome''s insinuation.


    Jerome was implying that Lizetta no longer had feelings for Remington. Her allowing him to escort her back was merely out of gratitude, not rekindled affection.


    Remington''s expression darkened, and his lips pressed into a thin line. His fingers, resting on Lizetta''s hand, trembled slightly, but he said nothing in response to Jerome''s words.


    Sometimes, a little vulnerability could work to his advantage.


    Lizetta nced up at Remington instinctively, the puddle on the ground reflecting a faint, cold light, much like the fragility in his deep-set eyes.


    "Jerome, something happened this afternoon. Remington ended up running around all day with me. It''s raining now, and traffic''s a mess. Maybe he should stay for dinner?"


    Lizetta recalled how Remington had been tirelessly helping her all afternoon, and if it weren''t for his presence, the issue with Ynda and Cassius might not have been resolved so easily. Her heart softened.


    Jerome met her careful, yet undeniably concerned, gaze for Remington, tightening his grip on the umbre handle slightly.


    He quickly masked his emotions, offering a doting smile.


    "Of course, he can stay. I wasn''t


    trying to turn him away. It''s just, Liz, you promised to have dinner with me, and thought it would just be us. I only prepared a simple meal, and the house isn''t quite set up for guests. I wouldn''t want to inconvenience Mr. Dashiell."


    Hearing Jerome''s words, Lizetta felt a pang of guilt.


    "You cooked yourself? You just got out of the hospital this morning. You shouldn''t overexert yourself. The housekeeper could have handled it."


    She hadn''t expected Jerome to cook, waiting for her return, especially after her dyed arrival.


    At that moment, Jerome turned his head and coughed several times.


    ying the weak card wasn''t something only Remington was good at.


    Lizetta immediately looked worried, slipping her hand from Remington''s to step


    under Jerome''s umbre, concerned.


    "Did you not dress warmly enough?"


    Remington felt the emptiness in his palm, watching as Lizetta moved away from him, her concern for·


    Jerome tant and unhidden


    Jealousy simmered within him as he


    red at Jerome''s feigned frailty


    "I recall Mr. Madden was hospitalized for a stomach issue? That cough sounds more


    like a cold. Mr. Madden should take care of himself."


    Jerome wasn''t deaf to the jab about his health.


    He stopped coughing, nodding slightly to Remington before turning to Lizetta.


    "It''s our first dinner together since


    you arrived in Zion City. It shouldn''t


    be just any meal. Plus, Wilma''s mother-inw had a fall today, she took the day off