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.

wasn’t a White family insider;

a bit disrespectful, Hogan was clueless, and his dedication

1. it.

don’t blame me?” Hogan

because,” She locked eyes with Hogan, unwavering, and added, “that thing back

He got the message – Lizetta was brushing

she willingly hooked up with Remington, had nothing

rejecting him again, crystal clear.

it. My mom’s been

didn’t finish because something suddenly sprang from the flower bed, startling

on his feet and steadied

be a frisky stray cat climbing a tree.

to find Hogan’s gaze fixed on her belly,

Dashiell know you’re

talking to herself,

taken aback, “How did you find it?”

seen enough expectant mothers at the hospital

know, and you better keep it hush–hush.”

single mom is tough, especially abroad, all alone. Mr. Dashiell doesn’t seem like the type to shirk responsibility. Maybe you two

her advice. She shook her head and withdrew her hand.