Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Lizetta handed Remington's phone to the nurse at the desk, asking her to deliver it to Remington before turning to leave. The nurse, true to her word, immediately took the phone to him.

Barbara had been rushed into surgery, and Remington was pacing anxiously alongside Martin in the waiting area. Seeing the nurse with his phone, he had his brow furrowed in irritation as he took it and asked, "Who brought this?"

"She left it with me and then took off," the nurse replied.

Clutching the phone, Remington told Martin, "I'll be right back."

Without waiting for a response, he strode towards the elevator.

But by the time he got to the lobby, there was no sign of Lizetta. He quickly dialed her number.

After a few rings, she answered.

Remington, now in the elevator, asked in a deep, worried tone, "Where are you?"

Lizetta was on her way out of the hospital; her voice was calm as she replied, "I'm beat. Caught a cab home. I know you're busy; just carry on." Remington could detect the chill in her tone.

felt his heart squeezed. He

the phone tightened, and he barely managed to

could figure out the right words to explain, Lizetta cut him off. "My

breath hitched, "Alright, just text me when you get

she said before

actually board any cab. She sat down on a

she

want to hear his explanations; they

she knew what he would

Barbara

Eileen wasn't Stella that he had played along with Barbara's

a husband who would stand by her side, steadfastly, under any circumstances.

realize how long she had been sitting on the bench until her phone rang

answered; her expression changed as she listened

clinic, informing her that the DNA results for Evelina and Elara Hawthorne

a cab and headed to the

in such