Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Daisy was practically hurled into the room by the bodyguard, her eyes widening at the sight of the voice recorder next to Lizetta. She spun on her heel, attempting to flee, only to be shoved back hard, crashing at Remington's feet.

"Are you gonna spill the beans, or do I need to have someone teach you how to talk?" The man's voice was ice cold, echoing from above.

Daisy shivered, realizing Lizetta must have heard everything. There was no hiding it now, and she burst into tears.

"It was Hans! Yes, it was all Hans' idea! When the Hawthorne family suspected a mix-up with the kids, they first did a DNA test with Eve, confirming that Eve was indeed their biological daughter. Then, Hans took a lock of Lizetta's hair for a DNA comparison.

The results shocked us. Lizetta wasn't our Gardenia child either.

Hans said our daughter was lost for good. If the Hawthornes found out Lizetta wasn't a Gardenia, they would surely take both girls in.

That would leave the Gardenias with no daughters at all. He argued it was better to just claim Lizetta as our own..."

Lizetta's fists clenched tighter, her arms trembling with tension.

She glared at Daisy, "Oh, really? It was all Hans' idea? Then why has Evelina been sending you money all these years?"

for an explanation: "Hans told Eve right away that you weren't

six but clever beyond her years. She begged Hans not to tell Kevin and Elara, crying that you were so accomplished,

forever if we kept you, giving us the

with six years' worth of allowances and gave it to her. Eve handed that card to

would keep Eve paying and, since you were such a beauty, we could eventually cash in a hefty dowry. The Gardenias came out ahead either way..." Lizetta's gaze turned even colder as she

Lizetta was tough, always blunt with her, and now knowing she wasn't

to Lizetta's

part in this. It was all Hans and Evelina's doing. Think about it, I'm a mother. Wouldn't I

tried to cling to

wrapped his arms around Lizetta, giving the bodyguard a

stepped forward, kicking

wall, clutching her chest as she

my daughter. But Hans called me stupid, beat me up, and

face, unconvinced of

receiving money from Evelina, not