Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Remington's words landed with a definitive thud.

The man carried an air of cool arrogance, as if he held unwavering confidence in what he said.

Lizetta, however, felt like Remington had just become an expert at making her squirm.

How did someone who used to be so stingy with his words suddenly become so adept at spinning tales at the drop of a hat?

When did they grow up together? It was Stella who had grown up alongside him. And when were they ever deeply in love? It was only his coldness within their marriage that had left her tasting the bitter pill of waiting.

Lizetta couldn't bear it any longer and interrupted Remington, "Hey, why are you here?"

"I heard a junior of ours is getting her full certification this month. I was passing by and thought I'd drop in to congratulate her."

Lizetta nodded, her embarrassment growing. She and Hogan didn't communicate much privately, and since he was here for another, it seemed his interest in her had likely faded.

Lizetta elbowed Remington, fed up with his presence. Remington stiffened, his handsome face freezing for a moment. The light touch felt less like it hit his side and more like it plunged straight into his heart. Lately, she had been avoiding any physical contact with him, so even a nudge from her felt significant!

His deep eyes momentarily filled with a galaxy of stars as he leaned in and whispered, "Liz, you're touching me again! Do it once more."

Lizetta thought he was crazy, seeing his excitement over such a trivial interaction. Anyone unaware of the context would think she had done something outrageous to him in public. She shot him a glare and quickly greeted Hogan before hurrying ahead.

Remington didn't spare Hogan another glance, quickly catching up with Lizetta. With a smile playing on his lips and one hand casually in his pocket, he leaned towards her, chatting as they walked.

Hogan watched their figures recede

into the distance. Seeing the playful smirk on Remington's face and Lizetta's annoyed yet lively demeanor, they looked like a typical couple hashing out a small quarrel. Hogan's hand, hidden beneath his coat, clenched tightly. Liz, will you eventually forgive him? Even after all the hurt he's caused, why can he still occupy your entire field of vision, leaving no room for me?

When Lizetta and Remington reached Thaddeus' room, Cedric had just arrived.

"We found the recorder in a bag

belonging to a family member of a patient in the urology department on the tenth floor. The surveillance footage showed Daisylin bumping into this person when she got out of the elevator. She must have slipped it into the bag then."

Remington handed the recorder to Lizetta, asking, "Is this it?"

Lizetta nodded, eager to play the recording. Daisylin's desperation to keep the recorder from her meant it must contain something significant.

"Hans is back, and your dear mother got a beating from him again. You're my flesh and blood, wake up and stand up for your mother, will you?"

"Forget it, you're useless anyway. The first thing you'd probably do if you woke up is to snitch to that wretch Lizetta. Tell her she's not even a child of the Gardenia family; I've wasted my life raising you."

"Eve's gone missing, the Hawthorne family is in ruins, you're paralyzed, and that wretch Lizetta doesn't care about me. Raised three kids and not one of them turned out useful, no idea where your real sister is..."

"If you hadn't eavesdropped on me talking to your uncle two years ago and insisted on telling that dead girl, would you have ended up in that accident?"

Listening to Daisylin's shrill, harsh words, Lizetta clenched the recorder.NôvelDrama.Org copyrighted © content.

So, she was neither a child of the Hawthorne family nor of the Gardenia family. The car accident Thaddeus was in-was it because he found out she wasn't a Gardenia and wanted to tell her?

Lizetta's fingers trembled, and the recorder slipped from her grasp. Remington, ever watchful, caught it before it hit the ground and gently embraced the pale-faced Lizetta Resting his chin atop her head and pulling her close, he offered her silent comfort and warmth, helping her emotions to slowly stabilize.