Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Lizetta was in utter disbelief, “I’m In my PJs and barefoot!”

She was carried out in her pajamas, and now he was about to dump her midway.

Remington snorted coldly, “You could choose to apologize.”

He waited for her to beg for mercy. But in the next second, the woman who refused to get out of the car turned around and boldly jumped out, slamming the car door behind her with a loud bang.

Remington’s face turned ashen, his hands clenched into fists on his knees. The driver, Christ, got back in the car, and Remington snapped, “Drive!”

Christ had been with the Dashiell family for ages and suggested, “Boss, it’s pitch–black outside. Mrs. Dashiell is lightly dressed, didn’t take her phone, and the weather’s turning cold.”

Remington cut him off coldly, “It was her choice to leave.”

Christ wondered if that meant he should go and convince Mrs. Dashiell to come back.

Meanwhile, outside, Lizetta had already turned around and started walking in the opposite direction, as the temperature inside the car seemed to drop another five degrees.

Lizetta hugged herself, but it didn’t stop the cold wind. The chilly autumn night was turning stormy, and her nightgown was thin, barely reaching her knees.

Her bare feet felt the cold, hard ground beneath them. But she didn’t want to go back and beg Remington. She wasn’t going to let him push her around without a fight..

Behind her, she heard the sound of the car driving away and something being thrown out. Lizetta turned around to see the duvet on the ground; the car had kicked up leaves and was now far away. It seemed he thought her stuff was dirtying his car

She hesitated for a moment, went back, shook out the blanket, and wrapped it around herself. She started walking back, with raindrops falling through the gaps in the leaves overhead. Lizetta quickened her pace.

She figured the car hadn’t gone far; a half–hour walk should take her back to Meadowbrook Meadows.

Lucky for her the weather was bad; there weren’t many people around. Otherwise, wandering with hair wrapped in a blanket and barefoot, she’d look like a total lunatic. Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.

A car honked from behind her. Lizetta’s nose tingled, and she walked faster.

Someone got out of the car and caught up to her, grabbing her.

“Liz.”

“Didn’t you leave? You jerk.”

messy

Lizetta turned around, tears she couldn’t hold back fell, like a ruffled kitten that could burst into tears with a single touch. But her expression quickly froze because the person wasn’t Remington; it was Hogan.

“What happened? Never mind. Let’s not talk about it now; just get in the car,” he looked down at her feet and added.

In the car.

Hogan turned on the heater and handed Lizetta a towel, saying kindly, “Dry yourself off.”

Her hair was wet. She took the towel and wiped herself, “How come you’re here?”

“I’ve got another place here in Meadowbrook Meadows. I live there, too.”

Lizetta paused, “Just got off work?”

Yeah, got called in for two emergency surgeries after my shift, and that’s why I’m late.”

She nodded, her eyes downcast, and fell silent for a moment.

Lizetta’s dealings with Hogan had mostly been about Thaddeus and often at the hospital. But his recent actions made her feel something was different.

Hogan knew Shirley and casually had more than one apartment in Meadowbrook Meadows. His background couldn’t be simple.

Meadowbrook Meadows weren’t close to the hospital. Why would he stay here? Lizetta couldn’t help but wonder.

“By the way, the lease contract is printed,” Hogan pulled out a document from the glove compartment and handed over.

Lizetta didn’t take it, smiling instead.

“Hogan, Yolanda and I discussed it, and we think it’s a bit far from her school. We’re looking for a new place. and planning to move out in the next couple of days. Thanks for offering shelter.”

They were both smart people. Hogan got the hint; it was her polite way of saying no. He paused with the contract in hand, and then put it back, his smile as warm and gentle as ever.

“Okay, if you don’t find something suitable, there’s no rush to move.”

“Thank you, Hogan,” Lizetta thanked him again.

The car had stopped. Lizetta opened the door to get out, but Hogan didn’t unlock it. Lizetta looked at him, and Hogan bent over and pulled out a pair of shoes from under his seat, offering them to her.

“I just put them in here a few days ago; haven’t worn them yet.”

They were used for surgeries. Lizetta instinctively curled her dirty toes.