Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

She turned back to Eileen, "Is Dorothy here by herself?"

"Don't worry, Dorothy's asleep. The babysitter will be back from grocery shopping soon and she'll take good care of her."

Lizetta nodded and as she turned away, her gaze unintentionally caught Remington again.

Clearly, even when she was the fake Stella, Remington still took great care of her.

Lizetta wondered if she was just being overly sensitive, but she couldn't shake off a feeling of discomfort.

Echo Ridge Villa was indeed close to the hospital; it took less than five minutes by car to arrive.

Before getting out of the car, Remington hurriedly said to Lizetta, "Just wait here, alright?"

The doctor had advised Lizetta to limit her activities, and it seemed Remington had no time to fuss over her now.

Nodding, she watched Remington and Eileen stride into the hospital building.

Lizetta took out her phone, intending to watch some dance videos, but she couldn't focus.

She felt restlessness gnaw at her, and then she noticed Remington's phone left on the dashboard.

After a moment's hesitation, Lizetta took Remington's phone and got out of the car.

way slowly upstairs to

doctors and nurses poised inside as if bracing for

outskirts of the crowd, Lizetta saw Barbara on the bed, gripping Remington's hand in one of hers and Eileen's in the other, struggling to

"Remington."

I'm here. What is

into surgery, I

was pale, and her lips were

and

coming up. I've already ordered the cake ahead. We're all waiting for you to get out, so we could celebrate your birthday and blow out the

Barbara shook her head; it

there's something you must

it, and I

Barbara's lips as she forcefully brought Eileen's hand into Remington's,

your godfather to look after her, but

struggled to speak, taking labored

good care of Stella. As long as I'm here, nobody will make her suffer

shook

you to promise, to fulfill your pledge to marry Stella. Only then can you

fragments, Lizetta clenched the phone so