Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Remington adjusted his tie and stepped into the room with determination.

"Liz, I'm not trying to control you, just looking out for you."

"We're nothing to each other now; I don't need Mr. Dashiell's care."

Lizetta replied coldly, believing that staying away from him was the quickest way to heal.

Remington frowned, wanting to say more, but the hospital room door creaked open, and Yolanda's voice followed.

"Liz, guess who's here to see you? Mr. Madden dropped by."

With Yolanda's cheerful voice, she walked in, followed by a tall figure, Jerome.

Apparently visiting, he wasn't in his usual sharp attire but wore a simple white tee under a navy-striped blazer, relaxed yet still showcasing his upright posture.

He carried a thermal container, following Yolanda, his gaze immediately landing on Lizetta.

Then, his eyes were drawn to the red booklet in Lizetta's hands.

A divorce certificate.

"Seems like my timing could've been better? Mr. Dashiell, you don't mind, do you?"

Clearly, the divorce was fresh, and Jerome hesitated slightly.

Remington turned to Jerome, his gaze icy.

Jerome's intentions were clear, and Remington wished he could kick him out right there and then.

But he couldn't, not with the debt of gratitude for saving Lizetta last night or Jerome's status now.

He and Lizetta were divorced. Other men could now openly pursue her, be around her. Offering kindness, and maybe one day...

Lizetta might be moved, might develop feelings for another man, belong to someone else.

Realizing this, the man who had been calm at the moment of receiving the divorce certificate suddenly felt a storm brewing inside him.

His handsome face grew darker, coldly saying, "Do you think I'd mind you leaving?"

Yolanda stepped forward, positioning herself between Remington and the hospital bed, edging Remington out.

"Mr. Madden, please, have a seat. Liz will want to chat with you, she'll definitely listen to what you have to say."

As she spoke, Yolanda fetched a chair for Jerome, placing it beside Lizetta's bed.

Feeling Remington's cold gaze, Yolanda rolled her eyes, continuing.

"As for whether some people mind or not, Mr. Madden, you shouldn't care.

st a visitor here, and an

unwelcome one at that, who is he to mind?"

Yolanda hoped Remington would leave in a huff.

However, instead of leaving, Remington made his way to the window, settling himself on a couch.

"I didn't get the chance to thank you

properly yesterday, please, sit."

Lizetta ignored the intense gaze from the man across the room, offering Jerome a faint smile.

Jerome moved to sit down, placing the thermal container on the table, softly saying.

"Grandma Bernice made you her special goji berry pigeon soup, want some?"

"You're too late; she's not hungry..." Remington interjected coldly.

But before he could finish, Lizetta nodded at Jerome with a smile.

"Did Grandma Bernice get scared yesterday? Why would she go through the trouble of making soup for me? I'd love to try it."

Last night, the Maddens had saved her, the elderly couple comforting Lizetta throughout.

Such a gesture was beyond words, and with Mrs. Bernice Madden personally making soup, Lizetta couldn't just ignore it out of courtesy. "I'll serve it." Yolanda immediately volunteered.

After serving the soup, Yolanda didn't hand it directly to Lizetta, instead saying,

"Seems I've made it a bit too hot, and Liz doesn't have the strength; we wouldn't want it spilling on her..."

Jerome then leaned in slightly, "I'll do it."

"That would be great, thank you, Mr. Madden."

Yolanda beamed, thinking howThis text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

perfect Mr.

Madden was for Liz,

wondering why she couldn't have met Mr. Madden sooner, to avoid any drama with Badass Remington.