Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

And then it hit him; the Dashiell family's overall taste was more inclined towards lighter flavors. Perhaps it wasn't that she didn't like or wasn't used to spicy food, but rather that Lizetta had always been accommodating the Dashiell family's tastes.

She never dared to express her own preferences, with the only thing she bravely shared being her feelings for him.

But he hadn't believed her, misunderstanding her and hurting her time and again.

With the Dashiell family, she could never truly be herself, whereas with the Madden family, she was the darling princess, showered with love and affection.

This realization choked Remington up, tightening his throat.

He silently picked up his fork and hesitantly tried a few slices of the spicy lotus root, lowering his gaze as he ate.

Lizetta glanced at Remington, her lips parting slightly as if she wanted to say something, but then she remained silent. Remington wasn't one for spicy food.

Sure enough, after eating the spicy lotus root, he immediately reached for his glass of water, taking a couple of swigs.

Lizetta thought to herself, eating spicy food and then drinking water would only make it spicier; milk would be the better option to neutralize the heat.

However, Remington just slightly furrowed his brow, put down his glass, and then picked up a piece of spicy beef.

Lizetta noticed that he continued choosing spicy dishes, and he became unusually quiet for the rest of the meal.

She was puzzled by his behavior, hesitating twice but ultimately neither stopping him from eating spicy food nor asking if he was alright.

She quickly finished her meal, put down her utensils, and stood up.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

"I'm full, going to the restroom."

She left the private dining room, and Jerome also put down his utensils, gracefully dabbing his lips with a napkin before leisurely commenting to a slightly sweaty Remington.

"Mr. Dashiell, if spicy food doesn't agree with you, there's no point forcing it. After all, some things just can't be forced."

Jerome's words carried a double meaning, clearly hinting that the relationship between him and Lizetta was broken beyond repair, and attempting to mend it would be futile. Remington's expression turned colder, slowly swallowing a bite of hot and sour fish before lifting his eyes to meet Jerome's.

"Whether it's forced or not isn't up to you or me. It's up to Lizetta."

Jerome shook his head lightly.

"Mr. Dashiell, if having a meal with you feels forced to Liz, what else is there to say?"

Remington's face grew even colder, but he didn't reply.

If Lizetta felt it was forced now, he would wait.

He believed that someday, she would no longer feel that way and would willingly return to his side.

And he felt no need to discuss this with someone who didn't matter.

Seeing Remington unmoved, Jerome's eyes darkened.

"She's moved on. It's Mr. Dashiell who's stuck in the past, dragging her back for what?"

Without showing any reaction, Remington stood up. "Are you so sure she's completely moved on, Mr. Madden?"

Without waiting for Jerome to respond, Remington turned and left the dining room.

On the other side, Lizetta came out of the restroom, feeling little desire to return to the room.

She checked the time, thinking of

Yolanda's contract signing and

wondering how it went, so she.net

headed towards the end of the corridor to the terrace.

After calling Yolanda and learning the signing went well and that she got a top-tier artist contract with Alex one of the top five agents at Madden Media, Lizetta felt relieved.

Ending the call, Lizetta pushed the door open from the terrace and saw a baby stroller parked not too far from the corner.

The stroller's sides were high,

concealing the baby inside, but two

tiny hands occasionally reached out, plump and small, grabbing and waving at the air.

So quiet and lively.

Lizetta watched, frozen in place, her eyes suddenly warming up with emotion.