Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

The next morning dawned bright and early, and Lizetta rose with the sun. Her first destination was the Dashiell Memorial Hospital to check on her elder brother, Thaddeus.

Thaddeus had woken up, and to everyone's relief, his recovery was progressing swiftly. By morning, he was already able to speak in complete sentences, using the hospital bed for support. When he saw Lizetta, his gaze shifted to the space behind her. "Where's your brother-in-law? Didn't he come with you?"

Lizetta, busy arranging a variety of vitamins and health supplements on the table, nearly let her smile slip. "Big brother, since when did you start calling Remington my brother-in-law? You always used to call him Mr. Dashiell."NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

Indeed, Thaddeus had always maintained a formal distance with Remington, addressing him with the respect due to his aloof and dignified demeanor. Now, with her and Remington's relationship having shifted, Thaddeus's sudden familiarity seemed out of place to Lizetta. She was about to suggest he revert to the formal address when Thaddeus's expression turned slightly anxious. "Did you two have a fight?"

Lizetta quickly shook her head, "No, nothing like that... We're good. It's just...you never called him that before, so it feels a bit odd."

Thaddeus's laughter broke the brief

tension. His reluctance in the past was because, before his accident, Lizetta and Remington weren't married. Back then, Remington's icy demeanor had made him wary entrusting his sister to him. But waking up to find that over the past couple of years, not only had

Remington fulfilled his prob

marrying Lizetta but had also taken care of him, changed Thaddeus's perspective. The high and mighty Mr. Dashiell had shown an unexpected side, lowering his guard to care for his sister's family.

Before Thaddeus could share these thoughts, the room was filled with a familiar, deep voice, "What's so odd about it?"

With those words, a tall and imposing figure stepped into the room, heading straight for Lizetta. Dressed in a classic British suit, its brown tweed fabric catching the. warm sunlight pouring through the window, Remington exuded an innate charm and stability softened today by the choice of warmer hues.

Lizetta found herself momentarily dazed as he approached, and by the time she snapped back to reality, Remington was at her side, his arm naturally finding its place around her waist. "I told you to wait for me. You couldn't have been that impatient in the time it took me to park, could you?" Meeting his gaze, a soft blush crept over Lizetta's cheeks. He had claimed to be too busy for a visit just the day before, yet here he was, first thing in the morning. And how did he always seem to know exactly where she was?

Her thoughts must have been transparent, for Remington's gaze lingered on her, his smile deepening as if to say, "Aren't you even a little bit surprised to see me?" and, "I'm playing along for your brother's sake, you ungrateful little thing."

Their silent exchange didn't go

unnoticed by Thaddeus, who could

only interpret it as a display of affection His face lit up with a reassured smile. "Liz, why don't you and your brother-in-law take a seat? I've got plenty of doctors, nurses, and caregivers here. You don't need to come every day."

Reluctantly, Lizetta led Remington to sit by the bed. No sooner had they settled than Thaddeus added, "It's early; you two should catch up on some rest. That way, I might get to be an uncle sooner rather than later."