Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Lizetta picked up the phone to find Jerome on the other end, just as she'd guessed, still at the restaurant.

After she filled him in, Jerome didn't hesitate. "I'll head to the hospital right now."

"No need," Lizetta hurried to say, "we're almost there. You keep on with what you're doing, and I'll call you if anything changes."

Jerome, understanding her preoccupation, simply reminded her to keep in touch before hanging up.

Despite Lizetta's insistence, Jerome wasn't about to stay away.

He knew well enough that the Gardenia family hadn't always been kind to Lizetta, except for her brother Thaddeus, who truly cared for her.

Previously, when Lizetta had been taken back to the Madden household, Jerome had attempted to negotiate with Remington to move Thaddeus to Tranquil Meadows. However, Thaddeus's medical team, hired

by Remington, had shown promising signs of improvement, and the Maddens didn't dare risk changing doctors, fearing it might disrupt his recovery.

In the end, Thaddeus remained at the Dashiell Hospital, with the Madden family covering a hefty monthly medical bill.

For the past four months, it had mostly been Remington looking after Thaddeus.

up, Lizetta would be incredibly

thoughts, Jerome quickened his pace to the hospital and called Nelson to

At the hospital...

to see Zora,

throat, her legs turning

by

his voice filled with concern as he turned

Lizetta's pale face. "It's good news! Mr. Gardenia woke

cared for Thaddeus

ared for

hadn't communicated much, she had grown fond of him. Witnessing his awakening felt like being part of

a mix of relief and disbelief, rushing into the

medical team was indeed

towards the bed, her heart sinking as

was no response, and tears began to well

wrapped an

soothing her worries