Why do you think Jerome was in such disbelief over the news he received?

Jerome's disbelief likely stemmed from the unexpected nature of the news, which may have contradicted his expectations or previous experiences. The shock of receiving significant or life-altering information can lead to feelings of denial, making it hard to process the reality of the situation. Additionally, if the news involved someone he cared about or a major life change, it would naturally evoke a strong emotional response, causing him to question its validity.