Shattered Illusions Love Lies and Redemption (Lizetta and Remington) novel Chapter 1207

He quickly realized that reality was nothing like his fantasies.

As Elsa gradually took over operations at the Madden Group, his golden-boy image from their college days faded into the background. He became nothing more than a supporting character.

Even though the Madden family never insulted or mistreated him—in fact, they had been incredibly generous—the kinder they were, the more he felt they were looking down on him from their pedestals.

Everywhere he went, he felt phantom eyes judging him, mocking his status.

No matter how deep their youthful love had been, it had slowly eroded under the weight of his own toxic insecurity and twisted pride.

And that was before Elsa got sick and was confined to a hospital bed.

Her beauty had faded, her temper flared easily from the pain, and the truth was, his love for her had died long before she did.

But he never imagined that Elsa would leave such a selfless final wish with her father.

Nelson glared at him, his voice booming with fury.

"The tragic joke is that when I promised her, I didn't even realize why she specifically said 'no matter who the woman was'! It was only after I saw you and Eartha kneeling at my front door that it finally hit me—she was talking about Eartha! Did she see the signs early on, or were you two already screwing around behind her back while she was still breathing?!"

Nelson slammed his cane violently against the stone pavement.

The heavy thud echoed across the terrace, striking Conrad right in the chest.

He turned two shades paler, shaking his head frantically.

"Nelson, I swear on my life, I didn't! I can stand right here in front of her grave and swear that while she was alive, I never betrayed her. Eartha and I had absolutely nothing going on back then! You can't accuse me of something like that!"

He genuinely believed it. Back then, he had simply found Eartha to be gentler, sweeter, and far more understanding than his sick wife.

When he was stressed, he enjoyed talking to Eartha, maybe grabbing a drink with her.

But that was it. He considered her a confidante, keeping his emotions strictly in check. He hadn't physically crossed the line.

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