Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Remington nodded at the Maddens as a way of greeting and said, "I hope the gift was received well. Thank you for visiting Liz. Once she's fully recovered, we'll come over and thank you properly." He had prepared a generous gift and had Cedric deliver it today to the Maddens' home at Maple Cottage in Zion City.
"We don't want your silly gift. I want to see Elsa," Mrs. Bernice Madden said impatiently.
Fiona also spoke up firmly, "Remington, where have you taken Liz? Must you be so stubborn?"
It was Fiona Dashiell who declared she wouldn't leave the hospital until Lizetta was returned, forcing Remington to come. Yet, even so, Remington hadn't brought Lizetta back with him.
He approached the bedside, supporting Fiona, and said, "Grandma, Liz is really okay, she's just asleep. See for yourself." Remington pulled out his phone and showed them a photo.
Lizetta was lying in bed, looking peaceful in her sleep.
It was a picture Remington took right before he left.
Fiona frowned at the picture then showed it to Mrs. Bernice Madden, who then demanded of Remington, "Let me call Liz."
"Grandma, I told you, Liz is asleep."
His stance was clear; he intended to keep Lizetta hidden, and no one could persuade him otherwise.
Fiona knew Remington well; even if she scolded him severely, it wouldn't make a difference.
Years ago, when Remington refused to marry Lizetta, she had given him a thorough beating, leaving his back covered in bruises until he agreed to the marriage.
But deep down, Fiona knew it was because Remington was willing, otherwise, no amount of scolding would have worked.
Fiona sighed, out of options.
Mrs. Bernice Madden, after seeing the photo and being persuaded by Nelson, reluctantly accepted the fact they couldn't see Lizetta.
They said their goodbyes to Fiona, and Jerome helped Mrs. Bernice Madden out of the room, with the assistant carrying a bag over.
Jerome handed the bag to
Saying
Remington saying, "With the Fourth of July around the corner, here are some homemade scented sachets and apple pies my grandma made. You wouldn't mind passing them to Mr. Dashiell, would you?"
"Of course, I'll accept them on behalf of Liz, and thank Mrs. Bernice Madden for me."
Remington took the bag, and Jerome nodded before turning to leave.
In the car, Nelson commented, "Remington is a good man in many ways, but his controlling nature towards his wife..."
Jerome tapped the steering wheel lightly, deep in thought.
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He remembered the investigation.
report on Lizetta he received that morning, revealing that Lizetta wasn't actually a child of the Gardenia family. It was only after Hans
kidnapped Lizetta that he learned this fact and had someone dig deeper,
only to find a curious detail. The
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Lizetta's official birthdate didn't match her actual birthdate, but she shared the
exact birthdate with Andrea.
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Years ago, his Aunt Elsa had taken
him to Zion City for a chess com
m
tournament when an accident led to Elsa giving birth to Andrea
prematurely in a small local hospital.
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Unfortunately, due to a mix-up at the
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hospital, the Hawthorne family and the Gardenia family took home the wrong babies. To protect Evelina, the Hawthorne family had altered
Lizetta's birth records. The content is on Novelxo.org! Read the latest chapter there!
The investigation didn't reveal the hospital where Lizetta was born.
His visit today had been to clarify some facts with Lizetta, but Remington had
taken her away.
"Jerome? What are you thinking about?" Nelson's voice suddenly brought Jerome back to the present, and he turned to face him.