Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

\"Has he left yet?\"

Three hours after undergoing gastric surgery, Remington Dashiell sat up in his hospital bed, looking up from his paperwork to ask in a deep voice.

Ray glanced at his wristwatch; it was nearing 10 p.m. But he was pretty sure that the two men who had visited Lizetta's room were still hanging around.

\"Mr. Dashiell, you've asked that three times now. The doctor advised you to rest. You did just have surgery, after all...\"

Ray wanted to add that seeing as he was currently a patient, perhaps he could act a bit more normal and not as if he was on some hospital stakeout. But meeting Remington's gaze, he found himself unable to voice those thoughts.

Changing tack, he stood up, saying, \"Shall I go check by Mrs. Dashiell's room again?\"

Remington's voice was cold as ice: \"Visiting hours ended at 8 p.m.\"

in. But he's been

there so patients can rest. Should privileges allow

impressive Mr. Dashiell had managed to hold it in for two hours already. It was almost 10 p.m., surely Mr. Madden and Dr. White couldn't be planning to stay the night? Ray hurriedly stood,

these past few days. Upon waking, though weak and drained, her spirits were

nutritious meal for Lizetta. Following

insisted on waiting until

to him. Lizetta didn't feel it was right to ask him to leave, but with Jerome sticking around, Dr. White promptly declared he was

decided to stay as

and entered, Lizetta had just finished eating,

quietly as the nurse entered. The presence of Hogan and Jerome caught her attention,

a known face

was a

whose looks and skills had garnered him countless admirers. The other man, said to be the