Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Lizetta nestled in the man's embrace, her mind a whirlwind of confusion and shock.

Flashes of her childhood flickered before her eyes, her shoulders trembling slightly as she spoke in a hoarse voice.

"I can barely remember anything from before I was six, living with the Hawthornes. It's all a blur until I was kicked out...

Being abandoned was terrifying, but I knew Evelina was the rightful Hawthorne child, and going back to the Gardenias was where I belonged.

I entered the Gardenia household full of hope, but the first time I called Hans 'Dad,' I was met with a slap across the face. After that, beatings and going hungry became a part of my daily life.

I often despaired, wondering why I was cursed with such parents. But we don't get to choose our parents, so all I could do was swallow my tears and endure.

And now you're telling me it was all a lie, that they aren't my real parents. What does that make all the suffering and beatings I endured?!"

Lizetta choked up, her fists clenched, trembling with rage.

She wasn't a Gardenia child; they could have handed her over to the police or sent her to an orphanage.

Anything would have been better than this deception, letting her endure years of physical and emotional torment.

"Liz, it's a good thing you're not a Gardenia. They never deserved to be your parents! If you still want to find your real family, I'll help you search!

you don't want to search, that's fine too. You've got Daisy and me! Even if I mess up and you don't want me around, I'll

Lizetta's hair, soothing her trembling frame with a voice so tender

under his consolation, Lizetta's emotions began to settle. She could feel his warmth, his heartbeat, his familiar

in the icy shell around her heart, warmed by his gentle words,

feeling made her push

yourself. I've got Daisy, and that's

her spirit return, Remington didn't

you're ready to have me back, just say

unbearable, a

looking away, only to

quietly which brought annet

pang

her heart and tears to her

for my brother protecting me, I would have diedtong ago... but

while he

into it, fearing that this financial case

think it was all because

Remington, feeling helpless, pulled her into his