Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Lizetta gradually calmed down, standing still, unresponsive, and not struggling at all. She was like a doll, allowing him to vent his frustration. Her eyes were wide open, silently and coldly watching him from a close distance. Remington caught her gaze, and for a moment, his blood ran cold, his eyes flickering with deep pain and panic. The kiss didn't taste like what he had hoped for; instead, it was filled with despair. He abruptly let her go and took a step back. His lips bore a fresh wound from Lizetta's fierce bite, and the blood slowly seeped out again. Yet, he raised his hand, intending to wipe the mark from her lips. But before he could touch her, Lizetta forcefully wiped it away herself. Her eyes mocked him.

"Mr. Dashiell, you've done so much just for this? Is a kiss all you wanted, or...?"

Remington felt her words like a barbed knife, plunging into his chest and violently pulling out, taking flesh with it. Regret flashed across his handsome face, feeling utterly defeated. Before she could embarrass him further, he covered her lips with his hand.

"I'm sorry, it's my fault. Don't say things that hurt yourself."

Lizetta remained silent, stepping aside and opening the hospital room door. Remington knew she didn't want to see him now. His lips moved, but he left without saying another word. As Lizetta closed the door, her legs weakened, and she leaned against it, not as composed as she seemed.

As Remington hastened toward the elevator, Cedric emerged from the doctor's office and quickly said, "Boss, the doctor said those things I brought will be useful once Mr. Gardenia wakes up. Where are you headed?"

Cedric couldn't finish his sentence before Remington walked past him. Cedric froze, then hurried after him. Seeing Remington at the elevator, Cedric rushed to press the button but couldn't help saying, "Boss, Mrs. Gardenia will be so grateful when she finds out. Shouldn't you stay with her now more than ever? Is there an emergency at the company?"

As the elevator door opened, Remington stepped in. Cedric followed and saw the fresh wound on Remington's mouth. That wound wasn't there before; in just a short time, things between the boss and his wife escalated to this? Cedric was stunned yet excited, covering his mouth.

"She forgave you?"

Remington, already in the depths of despair, wished he could silence Cedric's incessant chatter. His face darkened, "Are you mocking me?"

Cedric quickly shook his head, "Of course not, I..."

He was genuinely excited for his boss, but even Cedric could see Remington was not in a reconciled mood. It seemed more like another fallout. And that wound...Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

"You didn't force yourself on her, did

you?" Cedric asked timidly,

struggling to believe the shrewd

boss could make such an

ve

outrageous move. Wouldn't that ruin everything all over again?

Remington knew he had made a foolish mistake, even suspecting Jerome had set him up. Jerome had asked Lizetta that question with impeccable timing, knowing he was eavesdropping. He shouldn't have let it get to him, but he did, causing her anger and misunderstanding. He was too impatient.

"Boss, you really shouldn't have..." Cedric continued to lament for his boss. As the elevator door opened, Remington, fed up, kicked the noisy Cedric out.