Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Chapter 248

Hogan didn’t spell it out, but Lizetta got the drift – he was hinting at the scandal with Remington that had blown up in her face back

then.

Whenever that episode was brought up, Lizetta couldn’t keep her cool completely; a slight pallor crept over her face.

“Mom guessed you might’ve done something foolish to dodge the matchmaking, and felt super guilty about it. I felt like crud too, never dared to reach out to you again.”

Lizetta remembered getting the odd text from Hogan early on, but then they petered out. Friends going abroad and drifting apart was nothing new, so she never made a big deal out of it.

“Later on, I fixed up my legs and switched to medicine, came back from abroad just when Thaddeus hit a rough patch. I wanted to make amends for the past, so I became his doc. Seeing you again, I wanted to say sorry, but then I realized you seemed out of the loop about the matchmaking biz. Couldn’t make heads or tails of it, so I dropped it and never revealed my cards these past two years.”

After laying it out, Hogan looked at Lizetta earnestly, eyes brimming with regret, “Lizetta, I’m really sorry for the crap I pulled back in the day and for keeping you in the dark. I’m not expecting forgiveness, just hoping for a shot at making things right. The gig at the Lab is a real break for Thaddeus, and I want to help snap him out of it.”

Lizetta shook her head, and Hogan’s face fell, but then she said, “I’ve forgiven you, Hogan, so no need for all this. As for Thaddeus, ! can’t take you up on your offer, sorry.”

Lizetta didn’t hold much of a grudge against Hogan; she probably knew what it was like to have a crush.

Just like how she could only spill her guts to her diary in the dead of night and then stash it away.

She felt a kindred spirit in Hogan, a bit more understanding and forgiving.

one who spiked the drink wasn’t a White family insider; that

was clueless, and his dedication

1. it.

me?” Hogan was all

with Hogan, unwavering, and added, “that thing back then had nothing to do with the proposal; it was all me, totally willing.”

the message – Lizetta was brushing him off.

said she willingly hooked up with Remington, had nothing to do with him

was rejecting him again, crystal

wry smile, “Okay, got it. My mom’s

the flower bed, startling Lizetta so much

quick on his feet and steadied her. Lizetta was

out to be a frisky stray cat

Hogan’s gaze fixed on her belly, her hands

you’re pregnant?” Hogan blurted out.

Lizetta touching her stomach and talking to

taken aback, “How did

mothers at the hospital to recognize that protective

Hogan’s arm, “He doesn’t know, and you better keep

tough, especially abroad, all alone. Mr. Dashiell doesn’t seem like the type to shirk responsibility.

her advice. She shook her head and withdrew her