Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

As the car pulled into the grand estate, Remington stepped out and carefully assisted Lizetta from the vehicle.

Fiona Dashiell, having received word of their arrival, couldn't wait and, holding Tina's hand, hastened from the mansion to greet them.

"Liz, is that really you, Liz? Oh, my stars!"

Upon seeing the elderly lady making her way over, Lizetta hurried to meet her.

The sight of her running with a prominent baby bump alarmed the old woman, who turned to Remington with an anxious expression and scolded, "What are you, a statue? Grab her, will you?" Instead of merely grabbing her, Remington bent down and, in one swift motion, scooped Lizetta into his arms and carried her over to the elderly lady before gently setting her down.

Lizetta glared at him, and he simply smirked, "Can't have grandma calling me useless, now can we?"

The old lady, seeing their interaction, couldn't help but beam with joy and eagerly asked, "Liz, have you and Remington made up?" Lizetta, feeling guilty under the old lady's hopeful gaze and blaming Remington for the misunderstanding, hesitated before speaking.

"Grandma..."This is property © of NôvelDrama.Org.

Before she could continue, Remington smoothly interjected, "Grandma, it was on the condition of a divorce that she agreed to come back with me."

Lizetta was worried Fiona might be disappointed, but to her surprise, the elderly lady took her hand, rolled her eyes at Remington, and said, "I knew it! You never had the charm to woo anyone, you useless lump."

Feeling like he'd been stabbed in the heart, Remington's pride shattered once more.

With a resigned sigh, he said, "Let her keep you company. I'll come to take her to the city hall in the morning. Got some things to take care of at the office."

With those words, he gave Lizetta a gentle look and added, "I won't be back tonight, so you can stay here comfortably."

He knew Lizetta would feel uneasy if he were around.

As he left, the old lady watched him go, then tightened her grip on Lizetta's hand, "At least he knows he's a bother. Now, Liz, let's go inside and you can tell me all about where you've been these past months..."

Following the elderly lady inside, Lizetta was surprised to find Hanna Evert Dashiell also present.

Hanna's gaze immediately fixed on Lizetta's pregnant belly.

Instinctively, Lizetta tried to shield herself, but Hanna spoke up.

"Don't bother hiding. Joseph has already found a match and is preparing for the surgery next month!"

Lizetta was taken aback. "A match? Found?"

"Yes, you didn't want to save him, but fortune favors him, and he doesn't need you now! And you no longer have to dodge and hide to avoid being tested!"

Hanna's mocking laughter and the disdain in her eyes were cold.

Despite Lizetta carrying Remington's child and thus being Hanna's grandchild, Hanna showed no concern.

The old lady frowned at Hanna's

harsh words and dismissed her, "Enough. If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. Your bitterness isn't welcome here, off you go."

Hanna, accustomed to the old lady's favoritism towards Lizetta, scoffed and left.

Lizetta reassured the old lady,

"Grandma, I never avoided the tests. I've arranged everything with a hospital abroad, and after the baby is born, we'll save the cord blood and send it back..."

Fiona patted Lizetta's hand, "Grandma knows, dear. You don't have to explain yourself. Your mother-in-law is the one who's wrong, not you."

Meeting the elderly woman's trusting and loving gaze, Lizetta nodded, smiling.

Regardless, Joseph finding a match was a blessing, and Lizetta felt a weight lift off her shoulders.

She spent the afternoon enjoying a meal, taking a walk, and chatting with the old lady, until, true to Remington's word, a lawyer arrived with new divorce papers.

"Mr. Dashiell has already signed. If everything looks in order to you, ma'am, you can sign as well."

The lawyer slid the pen towards Lizetta.

She scanned the document, noting that Remington had indeed agreed to relinquish custody rights, but with one condition: Lizetta was not to enter into any romantic relationships or remarry within five years.