Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Lizetta didn't linger in the hospital room for long, worried that Thaddeus might wake up if disturbed.

As soon as the commotion started inside, Lizetta stepped out.

Remington, in a low voice, gave Cedric a few instructions, leaving him to handle the situation before he turned to follow Lizetta.

Just as Lizetta quickly stepped into the elevator, a tall, lean figure squeezed in behind her.

The elevator doors slowly closed, and although the space was ample before, it now felt cramped to Lizetta, her mind flashing back to the kiss she had recently witnessed. She frowned, saying, "This is going up, Mr. Dashiell. Please take the next one down."

She reached out to press the open door button to send him on his way.

But her hand was caught mid-air by Remington, the elevator doors sealing shut, his fingers forcefully intertwining with hers.

Lizetta glared at him as his towering presence inched closer, backing her into a corner of the elevator.

He looked down, noticing her irritated expression, yet his voice carried a hint of amusement.

"Just now, I think I startled your brother. Let me come up with you to check on him."

"There's no need."

to your brother's room. Offering an apology is the decent thing to do."

when he had started to care so

her silent and without words, Remington tightened his grip on her

intense, and in the closeness of their intertwined hands, sweat started to form, making their palms slick. Finally, Lizetta looked up at him, his eyes already waiting to catch hers,

about that

heightened the awkwardness and the unspoken tension

was firm, insisting, "But it wasn't really a forceful kiss, was

at him, bewildered. "When did

paused, remembering the text he had sent her the

with Jerome, texting her about wanting to kiss

you

closer, their noses almost

I sincerely apologize. I'm

moved closer,

Lizetta unsure if

looking for another chance to

made her anger seem

that Thaddeus had just