Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

What's all this lovey-dovey business?

Lizetta turned her head to glare at Remington, who looked down at her with a tender, affectionate gaze. He gently stroked her hair before leaning in to whisper in her ear.

"Your brother just woke up, and the doctor advised against stressing him out. Are you sure you want to tell him about our divorce now?"

He spoke swiftly, planting a soft kiss amidst her locks before turning his gaze back to Thaddeus.

Lizetta stiffened slightly, her nervous eyes fixed on Thaddeus.

Yet, the look in Thaddeus's eyes slowly filled with a relieved and joyful smile. He struggled to open his mouth, saying in a hoarse, barely discernible voice, "Good, happy."

It had been over two years since he last spoke, his voice strained and difficult to understand, but he managed to squeeze out a few words with all his might.

But Lizetta understood, she read the emotion in Thaddeus's eyes.

He was saying that waking up to see her and Remington getting along made him very happy.

Lizetta knew Thaddeus had been worried about her, and seeing him like this, her nose tingled, eyes warming with tears.

At that moment, the feeling of having her caring, protective brother finally back felt suddenly real, no longer distant.

She quickly bent down to tightly grasp Thaddeus's hand, wiping away the tears at the corner of her eyes.

"Yeah, bro, I'm so happy you're awake. You've made it through this hurdle, from now on, it's all going to be blessings!"

Remington also leaned in with a smile, patting Lizetta on the shoulder.

"Let's have the doctor do another check-up first."

He had already pressed the call button, and the doctor arrived quickly.

Lizetta, with Remington's arm around her waist, was led away from the bedside as the doctor and nurses approached. Stepping back, Lizetta felt the firm hand still on her waist and subtly stepped aside.

But Remington tightened his arm, pulling her securely back into his embrace.

"He's been watching us."

Lizetta looked towards Thaddeus, indeed meeting his gaze again, and quickly offered a reassuring, bright smile. Remington also nodded at Thaddeus, then the doctor blocked their view, and Lizetta glared at Remington.

However, Remington looked

innocently back and whispered,

"Before bro fell into a coma, we

weren't exactly on good terms. While he was out, he must've been

worrying about you. His organs, vessels, and nerves are all weak now. If he finds out we're divorced, it could shock his system and worsen his condition. Besides, he seems to have misunderstood our relationship just now."

Lizetta, persuaded by his reasoning, began to worry as well.

Remington nodded, "I'm willing to play the part of a loving husband, no need to thank me."

Frustration welled up in her-Remington could be insufferable-but she couldn't bring herself to resist further.

Remington held Lizetta close, his eyes alight with amusement.

He had taken advice from Timothy Temple, who said if a woman's body stops rejecting a man's closeness, her emotional defenses would gradually melt away.

He should seize every opportunity to be near her, to tease her.

It seemed Timothy, with his vast experience, indeed knew something.

After the doctors confirmed Thaddeus's condition was stable, with his mental clarity and memory intact, they left.

Thaddeus had been bedridden for

over two years, and despite being well-cared for, he had lost a lot of weight. Yet, those eyes remained as Lizetta remembered - clear and warm. Copyright by Nôv/elDrama.Org.

Lizetta moved forward again, wanting to hold Thaddeus's hand, but Remington was quicker, gripping Thaddeus's hand firmly.

"Bro, would you like some water?"

Thaddeus looked at Remington, puzzled and somewhat flattered.

He was two years younger than Remington. Before the coma, Remington had never called him "bro."

How had one sleep changed Mr. Dashiell so profoundly?