Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Chapter 50

Yolanda realized it wasn’t cool to talk to kids like that and quickly backpedaled, “Hey, I was just messing with you; don’t take it to heart.”

Joseph gave her an eye roll, sporting an “as if I’m as gullible as you” smug look.

At the sight of them bickering, Lizetta’s lips curled slightly, her spirits lifted a bit.

At the hospital, Yolanda got a call to head back to set, leaving Lizetta waiting alone outside the ER. The doc checked things out and soon had Joseph moved to a room for observation.

Hanna rushed in and immediately lit into Lizetta, “I told you to handle things; how the heck did you let Joseph end up fainting and hospitalized? Can you do anything right?”

Seeing Lizetta catch heat, Joseph hopped off the bed in a jiffy, “I’m fine, Mom; lay off Liz. It’s my bad; come at me.”

Hanna, freaked out, hurried to the bedside, clutching Joseph, panicked, “What are you standing up for? Lie down this instant. Tell me, where does it hurt? How did you just pass out? Nosebleed? Fever?”

Lizetta turned and slipped quietly out of the room, saving herself the hassle of Hanna’s wrath later.

–

and as she turned around a slap came flying. Her ear was ringing before she realized what happened.

as she stared at the person in front of her. It was Elara, with Kevin hurrying over too, holding

he looked at Lizetta, “Liz, you okay? Your mom, I mean, Elara’s just freaked out because

her hands

Chapter 50

I’m not supposed to care? How’s

Are you saying you didn’t put Joseph up to smashing Eve’s hand? Last time, it was you who slapped Eve, leaving

was seething, as if she couldn’t wait to land a couple more on

to be such a kind and generous kid, not like this. This

looked disappointed and

by the very people who once gave her warmth, as if

her eyes, “Sure, you raised me till I was six, but you raised your daughter, not me. By your logic, should I charge you with

off to the Gardenia family. When you chose your own daughter over me, any debt of

ungrateful brat!” Elara’s face burned as she raised her

the elder card, go lecture your own kid. We’re not related; I don’t owe you my attention! I’ll let this slide, but if there’s a next