Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Lizzy was staring ahead, not even having the chance to ask what was going on with Remington before he hopped out of the car. Then, the door swung open, and Lizzy felt a gentle grip on her arm.

"It looks like he's suffering from acute gastroenteritis. I know a massage technique that can alleviate the pain. You go up front, and I'll take care of him," Remington said with a serious expression, convincing Lizzy to believe him. She began to step out of the car, but Jerome stopped her, "No need to trouble Mr. Dashiell, we're almost at the hospital..."

"It's no trouble!" Remington interrupted, pulling Lizzy out and taking her place beside Jerome.

"Liz, call Mr. Madden 'brother.' We're all family here, no need for formalities," Remington said, his deep gaze fixed on Jerome. Lizzy, in her innocence, might not have noticed, but Remington was not easily fooled by Jerome.

Even if Jerome was genuinely unwell, how could a man who had weathered so many storms be brought down by this minor ailment? Jerome met Remington's intense stare with an icy glint in his eyes.

"Mr. Dashiell, you're mistaken. You're a Foster, we're Maddens; we can't possibly be family," Jerome retorted.

Remington's lips curled slightly, "As long as Mr. Madden knows that Liz and he share the Madden name, that's what counts."

Their verbal duel filled the back seat with a palpable tension.

As the car started moving again, Lizzy turned from the passenger seat to shoot a frown at Remington, her tone slightly cold.

"I thought you said you were going to do a massage? Go ahead then."

She realized she had been tricked by Remington again. This man, always quick to jealousy, was one thing, but being so dismissive of someone's health in such a situation was just too much. Remington met Lizzy's cool gaze, feeling a mix of guilt and frustration.

Pretending wasn't just his forte.

Why was she so biased, so double-standard! Remington felt wronged, but he didn't dare voice it.

Suppressing his distaste, he

grabbed derome's hand and pressed hard on the spot between the thumb and forefinger, sneering as he asked Jerome, "Mr. Madden, does help?"

Jerome's handsome face turned slightly pale. It did help; the pain seemed to shift to his hand.

He managed a weak smile, "Quite effective. It seems the pain is lessening."

After saying that, he couldn't bear it any longer and shook off Remington's hand.

The rest of the ride was silent, and thankfully, they soon arrived at the hospital.

After a quick examination, it was confirmed that Jerome had gastroenteritis triggered by alcohol.

As the nurse hooked Jerome up to an IV, Lizzy stood by the bed, gently wiping the sweat from his forehead with a tissue, her disapproval clear.

"What kind of business meeting

makes you drink when you know you

shouldn't? You just got your

stomach back in shape, and nowet

you've gone and ruined it again" Lizzy said with a slight frown, her concern and worry evident.

In the past few months at Tranquil Meadows, Jerome had shown her a lot of care and warmth, and with her grandparents acting as mediators, Lizzy and Jerome had moved past their previous distant relationship.

She genuinely regarded Jerome as family, showing him unconditional kindness and warmth, just like her grandparents.

But seeing her like this, Jerome felt a complex mix of emotions.

On one hand, he was happy for her care and concern, but on the other, he felt a sense of loss and helplessness.

Because he couldn't find any hint of romantic affection in her clear, bright eyes-her concern was purely familial. Just like how she treated Thaddeus Gardenia.

If things continued like this, he feared she might begin to see him as nothing more than a brother, leaving him with no chance at all.