Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Chapter 13

Thaddeus was the only one in the Gardenia family who was decent to Lizetta.

Hans was a boozing gambler who beat his wife, and Jolin was a selfish jerk who only looked out for number.

one.

At ten, Thaddeus was Lizetta’s lifeline, and when they couldn’t escape, he’d just hug her tight and take the beating with her.

One blizzardy night, Hans lost big at gambling and, drunk as a skunk, beat Lizetta to within an inch of her life.

Thaddeus, hearing the news, hopped the school fence and raced home to find Lizetta had chomped off one of Hans‘ ears but was also nearly beaten to death herself, with blood everywhere.

Thaddeus carried Lizetta on his back and scampered to the Hawthorne family mansion for help, yet the latter were busy throwing a fancy shindig on a yacht for Evelina’s first violin gig.

With no other choice, he trudged three hours in the night to the Dashiell family villa, kneeling outside that was how Lizetta ended up getting taken in.

Time flew, and fourteen years zoomed by. Back then, Thaddeus fought for a chance at life for Lizetta, and now she wasn’t about to give up on him.

“Don’t sweat it, your brother’s stable, and Astoria’s setting up a lab specially for waking coma patients. I’m thinking of sending your brother there, especially since you aced Master Dories‘ interview and you’re heading. to Astoria too.”

“Being a medical guinea pig?” Lizetta hesitated.

Hogan nodded, “The lead prof, Professor Cohen, is a brain whiz. I swear, your brother won’t be worse off there. And I wouldn’t dare pull a fast one on you, tough girl.”

Hogan feigned fear.

rain under an eave.

off into the rain, and only then did she

the same hoodie by coincidence. She rushed

not a

face turn red.

his eyes twinkling

the

won’t break the bank. Plus, I’m planning to hit the books again and might join the institute.”

can’t thank you enough!” Lizetta was over

out for a year, and with each passing day, the odds of waking up dwindled.

a meal? But you gotta cook it yourself. We’ll be schoolmates again in Astoria, so I’ll be expecting you to look

her with a smile as refreshing as a gentle breeze. Both Hogan

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Chapter 13

same alma mater.

prob,” Lizetta nodded, her smile beaming with

you pick your audition piece

even made it past the resume.”

ready for the audition, Master Dories‘ tour

figured Hogan made sense

composed a new piece, thinking of choreographing it for the dance. What do you think, Hogan?”

like a stellar