Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Liz was utterly flabbergasted as she stared at Remington. What on earth was he rambling about? There was no way she hadn't felt any movement if Daisy was indeed "quietly" nestled in her belly.

Yet, there was Remington, speaking with utter seriousness, "Mr. Madden probably has no clue what it feels like to have a baby kick. I suggest Mr. Madden and Florence hurry up, tie the knot, and start a family. It's quite the miracle, wouldn't you say, Liz?"

He lowered his gaze only to lift his eyebrows suggestively at Liz a moment later. His hand gently caressed her side, his touch whispering, "Let's keep this our little secret."

Liz had just made a fool of herself in front of Jerome, which was embarrassing enough. Now with Remington also stirring the pot, she felt her cheeks burning with embarrassment, unable to face Jerome. She shot Remington a fierce glare, at a loss for words. Just then, a group hastened their steps towards them. Leading them was an elderly gentleman, his hair silver but his spirit vibrant. His face etched with worry.

Mrs. Bernice Madden's face lit up at the sight of him, waving excitedly. "Archie, come see who I found!”

Nelson moved closer, taking his wife's hand, his demeanor visibly softening. "Who is it? Surprise me," he played along.

The elderly lady had wandered off, and it was clear that Nelson was the most concerned, yet he didn't utter a single word of blame. His every emotion seemed to vanish in her presence, his tenderness like that of soothing a child.

In contrast to Andrea's earlier demeanor, Nelson's affection and silent warmth towards his wife were touching. And Mrs. Bernice Madden, though her mind was not as sharp, clearly relied heavily on Nelson.

Liz suddenly envied such a bond -

to grow old together, through thick and thin. A smile unwittingly spread across her face, and seizing the moment, she stepped away from Remington. It's true what they say - some people really set the bar high!

Left with an empty side, Remington felt a pang of loneliness, wanting to close the distance between him and Liz. But Mrs. Bernice Madden, pulling Nelson along, reached Liz first.

Mrs. Bernice Madden said with a mix of pride and confusion, "Archie, look, I found our Elsa! And look, our granddaughter Andrea is in her belly."

"Archie, if Andrea is in Elsa's belly, then who is this Andrea?" she asked, pointing at the young woman next to her, clearly befuddled.

Andrea shook her head in resignation, "Grandma, it's me, Andrea. I'm all grown up now. So, how could she possibly be my mom? You've got the wrong person, grandma."

Mrs. Bernice Madden frowned, her expression turning to one of anxious confusion, clutching Nelson's hand tightly. Nelson, while comforting her, couldn't help but fixate on Liz, momentarily startled.

Liz, in her simple pink lace top and casual, belly-supporting palazzo pants, draped in a cream cardigan, her hair loosely tied up with a wooden pin, looked effortlessly

graceful and serene. There was net

something about her - a

Elsa in her gentle demeanor, yet upon closer inspection, not quite the same. But even Nelson had to admit, the young woman before him was indeed more striking.

resemblance to his latenet

"My dear, were you the one who looked after my wife? Would you join us for a meal as a token of our gratitude?" Nelson asked, smiling warmly.

Before Liz could respond, Andrea

stepped forward, taking his hand. "Grandpa, Miss Gardenia clearly has her own matters to attend to here at the airport, and that gentleman is her husband. You and grandma must be tired from the flight. Let's find another time to thank Miss Gardenia properly." NôvelDrama.Org (C) content.

Nelson was about to respond when Mrs. Bernice Madden grew anxious, tugging at his hand.