Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Lizetta's cheeks flushed a deep shade of crimson in an instant. Biting her lip, she pushed her chair back and stood up.

"I need to use the restroom," she murmured, quickly making her way out.

Remington lightly touched the corner of his mouth, noticing a faint trace of blood on his fingertip. Without offering an explanation, he flashed a mysterious smile and stood up as well.

"She's not feeling well. I'll go check on her. Enjoy your meal, everyone," he said, following her out.

They left one after the other, and Andrea turned to Jerome with a knowing look.

"Bro, you saw that, right? Even though they're separated, the spark's still there. Maybe you should stop playing the villain here. You're standing up for Mrs. Dashiell, but for all you know, she might find you more annoying than helpful!"

Jerome's expression remained unchanged. He took a sip of his wine before responding.

"She won't think that."

to endure because of him. If he couldn't handle

did you

squeezed juice. "Just eat your

"I'm only looking out for you because I care,

appealed to Nelson, who chuckled and said, "Jerome, Liz is a fine woman, but it seems there's still a chapter left in their love

pining for someone who's taken, why not pay more attention to me? I'm pretty good-looking too,

been looking at that face of yours since we were kids. No matter how much I see it, you'll always be my little sister." Andrea felt slighted. "But I heard Mr. Dashiell and Mrs. Dashiell were like siblings

it

she wasn't his real sister. But how could Andrea and he be same? He was adopted by the Maddens before Andrea was born, making her his sister in his heart from the moment she arrived. So, no matter how much Andrea confessed her feelings, he saw it as nothing but sibling antics. There was simply no chance

she clenched her fists. "It's not different at all. You're

stormed out, pushing her

shook his head but didn't

Madden, family, so if there was a chance for him and Andrea, the elders would've been happy. After all, Jerome had been raised in their care, proving himself to be responsible and of good character. But Jerome clearly had no romantic interest in