Shattered Illusions Love Lies and Redemption (Lizetta and Remington) novel Chapter 1113

"No, no, Liz! I had no idea beforehand. If I had known, I would have refused the treatment! I would have stopped my mom no matter what! I didn't want to trade Joy's life for mine!"

Joseph sobbed, the tears streaming down his face in steady lines.

Seeing him cry with such heartbreaking abandon made Lizetta's chest ache. She patted his back gently.

"Since you didn't know, why would I blame you? It's just that I lost Joy. You're the uncle Joy saved. You have to live well and grow up strong for Joy's sake. You have to protect me. If you keep bursting into tears over every little thing, how can I depend on you?!"

Hearing Lizetta's words, Joseph nodded vigorously.

He wanted to hold back his tears, but it was impossible. After holding his breath for a long moment, he accidentally let out a messy, tearful sniffle instead.

Meeting Lizetta's amused gaze, the young boy's face instantly flushed a brilliant, embarrassed red.

Seeing him raise his sleeve to hide his face, Lizetta laughed and grabbed his hand.

"When you were a baby, I changed your diapers and wiped your bottom. Is there any side of you I haven't seen? What's there to be embarrassed about now?"

Instantly, Joseph's embarrassment deepened.

The boy pulled his hand free, stepped forward abruptly, and wrapped his arms tightly around Lizetta in a fierce hug.

"Liz, I missed you so much."

Listening to his muffled, tear-choked voice, Lizetta felt a lump form in her throat.

She sighed softly and was just about to reach out and pat his back when the hospital room door was suddenly thrown open.

Lizetta turned her head, but before she could even see clearly, a tall figure closed the distance, grabbed Joseph right out of her arms, and yanked him away.

"Joseph Dashiell! Have you no shame? A big kid like you burying your face in her chest, crying like a baby!"

Remington spat out, tossing Joseph aside with obvious disdain.

He flushed red again, threw one last defiant retort at Remington, and then turned and bolted from the room.

The door clicked shut behind Joseph, leaving only Lizetta and Remington in the room.

In an instant, the chaotic noise was gone, replaced by a silence so thick it felt tense and awkward.

Remington actually felt a spike of nervousness, a sudden pang of regret for kicking Joseph out.

He looked at Lizetta and hesitantly reached out his hands.

"Let's get you out of this gown. Change into a fresh one, and I'll wash this for you."

The man reached for the top button of her collar, utterly terrified she would flinch away or push him back.

But she simply stood there. Remington's fingers rested against her collar, slowly and cautiously slipping the first button free.