Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

"Mr. Dashiell drops by every week, always taking the time to chat with the doc, asking about Mr. Gardenia's condition in detail."

Lizetta lowered her gaze, wiping Thaddeus's face gently, her eyelashes fluttering upon hearing the update.

Remington's usually swamped with work. Even though the hospital is part of the Dashiell Group's portfolio, Remington oversees the Starlight Group. His involvement with the Dashiell Group's assets is minimal that's Nathan's domain.

So, his visits to the hospital are purely for Thadieu's sake.

Lost in thought while cleaning Thaddeus's hands, Lizetta was startled when she felt a gentle tap from his palm.

She snapped back to reality, looking down in surprise, "Thad just moved his hand!"

"Ma'am, lately Mr. Gardenia has been quite responsive to external stimuli. His fingers twitch often, and the doc says there's a good chance he might wake up. It's important to keep interacting with Mr. Gardenia don't miss out on the opportunity."

The caregiver's words filled Lizetta with excitement and guilt. She held Thaddeus's hand tighter.

"Big bro, Liz is here. I haven't been able to visit for a while, are you mad?

But I've got good news, little Daisy's growing up so fast and healthy. In just over three months, Daisy will be able to meet you."

"Big bro, you have to wake up soon. Don't you want to teach Daisy to call you uncle yourself?"

"Big bro, I'm about to divorce Remington. I'm worried I won't be able to take care of Daisy properly. You promised to always have my back, to give me a family to turn to. Don't just lie there, being lazy..." Thaddeus's hand twitched again, freezing Lizetta in place before she burst into a smile.

"Big bro, you heard all that, didn't you? Keep fighting! You have to wake up!"

"Liz... Liz?" A voice called from the doorway.

Lizetta looked up to see Daisylin Gardenia. She looked drastically different after some time apart.

Her face bore some scars from burns, she wore a wig cap, and without makeup, she appeared aged and worn.

"Liz, where have you been? And your belly... it's so big now, is it Mr. Dashiell's?"

Daisylin stared incredulously at Lizetta's stomach, who frowned in response.

"What are you doing here?"

"Your brother's been reacting a lot lately. As his mother, I naturally want to be here for him, in case he wakes up. He'd surely want to see his mom first, right?"

"You can stay then." Lizetta didn't want to deal with Daisylin and stood up to leave.

But Daisylin grabbed her, attempting a pleading smile, which Lizetta cut off coldly.

"If it's about money, don't bother asking."Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

"Liz, you can't just leave me in the lurch. You have no idea what I've been through lately. My brother's business went under, and he's drowned in debt. Even my house was swindled away.

I can barely afford to eat. Do you want me to die on the streets? You're a mother now; you must understand how hard it is to carry a child for nine months. You wouldn't want your child to treat you with the same coldness, would you?

Lizetta stared at Daisylin's pitiful face, "What, isn't Evelina Hawthorne sending you money anymore? It's easy to get some cash, just tell me, why was Evelina sending yo@money every month?"

Daisylin's eyes darted around, quickly letting go of Lizetta's hand.

"What else could it be? I raised her. Now, the Hawthorne family's done for, Eve's been missing for ages. Liz, I'm really starving. I don't need much, just give me ten thousand, no, five thousand..."

Lizetta's lips curved slightly, saying, "I'm heartless and cold, not even truthful, clearly not starving yet."

She walked away, leaving Daisylin wanting to cling but recalling the painful burns, she clenched her teeth and stopped.

Outside the room, Lizetta whispered to the caregiver.

"I've hidden a voice recorder under the pillow. Once Daisylin leaves, take it out. And remember to record if she comes back again."