Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

After the doctor left his final instructions and walked out, Remington sat by the hospital bed, holding Lizetta's hands against his lips. His complexion was as pale and drawn as Lizetta's, who lay on the bed before him.

Lizetta stirred back to consciousness as daylight broke through the window, the sun piercing through the clouds, heralding a clear day after the storm. Yet, the storm had taken away their Daisy, who never got a chance to see the world, forever lost in that night of thunder and pouring rain.

Lizetta's eyes opened silently. As Remington twisted a towel to dab away her sweat, he caught sight of her empty gaze.

Lying there, her once vibrant and clear eyes stared blankly at the ceiling, large yet devoid of any spirit. Unlike her previous frenzy, she now resembled a soulless doll, passively lying there.

"Woke up? You must be hungry. How about I make you some chicken noodle soup?" Remington's voice cracked slightly, then he leaned closer, his tone softening to the utmost gentleness. He seemed calm, as though everything had passed and it was all clear skies now.

Lizetta's eyes slowly moved to him, her lips trembling faintly as she spoke. Her voice was weak, barely audible. Remington had to lean in to hear her first words to him.

"Remington, where were you then?"

a

family... Has Evelina's

Again, he was silent.

a boy. Though premature, the

Lizetta now, the former was a cruel irony, and the latter no longer held

hand, warming it with his own. Despite it

his voice hoarse. "Liz, we can

eyelashes fluttered

look. Men were cruel, thinking another child could replace everything lost. But to Lizetta,

not comforting; they cut deep.

curved into a sorrowful smile as

What future did