"Did you think I was hurt because of you?" Lilah asked softly.

His gaze met hers, a silent question in his eyes.

"Jerrold, listen to me. In life, there are kind souls and then there are those who are just-well, not so kind. And, as for me?" Lilah tilted her head playfully. “I guess I just shine a little too bright for some folks. They'd be after me regardless."

She tried to lighten the mood, but Jerrold's deep eyes hinted at his tangled emotions.

Lilah, undeterred, pressed on. "Not buying it? Well, your dad's in the same boat. There's always someone trying to cast a shadow on the bright ones. But trust me, we're a resilient bunch. See? I'm still standing."

She gestured toward herself, hoping to bridge the distance.

Yet, he hesitated, guilt still evident in his posture.

Despite Lilah's soothing words, he blamed himself.

Lilah might've been with his father if not for his sake, and Ruby might not have concocted such sinister plots.

If Lilah had died...

Tears blurred Jerrold's vision as he edged closer to the railing, the crowd's anxiety heightening with each step. “Jerrold, please, step back," they urged.

Gerard, with a stern yet concerned expression, weighed in. "Jerrold, you're not at fault here. But if you do this, everyone will believe Lilah played a part in your decision. Can you bear leaving her with that?"

Jerrold's eyes grew wide as he absorbed the weight of the situation.

The implications hadn't occurred to him before.

As he was lost in his thoughts, Gerard swiftly moved closer.

Jerrold, tears clouding his vision, spoke earnestly. “If not for me, none of this would've happened to Lilah. It's my fault. And maybe, if I'm gone, she and Dad could finally be happy. I feel like I'm just in the way."

Hearing him voice his inner turmoil, everyone felt a sting in their hearts.

They hadn't realized that this young soul had been grappling with so much.

Lilah was consumed with guilt. How had she missed the signs? Even when she was leaving, something in Jerrold's gaze had seemed amiss.

She should've been there for him and talked him through it.

"Jerrold, why do you feel this way?" Lilah's eyes, shimmering with tears, locked onto Jerrold. "You're such a sweetheart, and you've never been a burden. Your dad and I, we're already a thing, you know."

Jerrold shook his head, his voice trembling. "You won't be with my dad. I see how much you care about my mom. If I got a do-over, a second chance at life, I'd want to be your kid. Yours and Dad's."

He wiped away the tears rolling down his cheeks, moving closer to the railing's edge. A chilling thought occupied his mind: only if he were gone would his dad and Lilah truly be happy.

"Jerrold!" Gerard's voice was thick with frustration. "Didn't you hear me?"