Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

"Get her to the hospital now! And you, follow them!" he snapped at Stella again.

Anna hurriedly scooped up the child, while Stella, with a disdainful glance at the trouble-causing infant, quickly followed.

Meanwhile...

Lizetta didn't leave the Dashiell family's old mansion until after she had put Fiona to bed.

Remington was standing in the hallway, smoking a cigarette. The ember flickered in the night air, casting a solitary silhouette.

He seemed to recognize her footsteps. As soon as Lizetta stepped out, he turned, extinguished his cigarette, and approached her. "It's late. Let me drive you home."

Lizetta shook her head, "No need, I've called for the Madden family's driver."

As she moved towards the entrance, Remington walked leisurely beside her, saying, "Then, at least let me walk you to the door."

Lizetta didn't object, but when they reached the Madden family's car, she was taken aback.

Indeed, the Madden family's driver had come, but he looked utterly miserable as he approached Lizetta.

"Miss, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to drink. It was just..."

He was clearly flushed from alcohol, his face a picture of drunkenness.

A security guard from the Dashiell family approached, equally apologetic.

"My fault, all my fault. I saw the guy sitting in the car looking bored, so I went to chat. Got carried away and handed him a bottle of water..."

"But when I took a big gulp, it was booze in the water bottle!" The Madden family's driver lamented, worried Lizetta might blame him.

The Dashiell family's security guard looked sheepish and guilty, "I mixed them up. My wife banned me from drinking, so I swapped the water bottle with alcohol to sneak a drink later. I'm so sorry, Miss Liz, it's all my mistake. Please don't blame the driver." What a mix-up indeed.

Lizetta glanced at Remington, a smirk playing on her lips.

Remington, serious as ever, said, "See, it's fate insisting I should drive you."

Lizetta just shook her head.

She walked towards her car, instructing the driver, "You take the passenger seat."

After the driver apologized again, he got in the car.

Lizetta opened the driver's door, turning to Remington, "Or maybe fate's telling me to drive myself."

But as she bent to get in, she felt a firm grip on her arm. Turning, she saw it was Remington holding her back.

"Ever heard of traffic laws? How can you drive in high heels?"

Lizetta had indeed dressed to impress on her first day, wearing quite a statement pair of high heels.

Caught off guard, she found herself being escorted by Remington to his Bentley parked nearby.

He insisted on her sitting in the passenger seat, fastened her seatbelt, and then slid into the driver's seat himself.

Meanwhile, the Madden family's car slowly pulled away with the Dashiell family's driver behind the wheel. Remington started the car, catching Lizetta giving him a sidelong glance.

"You really don't mind the trouble, do you?"

He turnedProperty of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

on his her, a soft smile playing

"Raising you was no

Waomi.ne

small feat. This is nothing compared to that." .

Lizetta felt a twinge at his words, her gaze shifting to the car window.

Yet, Remington took another glance at her, sitting comfortably next to him, leaning against the plush pillow, a smile spreading across his face.

He had been somewhat miffed

before, when she refused to ride et

with him, opting instead for Jerome Madden's company. Now, he had his

wish.

The car was quiet, a rare moment of solitude for Lizetta and Remington.

As he spoke up, Lizetta couldn't help but feel a flutter of nervousness.