Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Eli, always the rock, the fearless man, was now seeking reassurance from her.

His voice carried a tone of helplessness and vulnerability she wasn't used to hearing from him.

Liz found herself softening towards him more easily than she thought possible. Without thinking, she reached out her empty hand to ruffle his hair gently and whispered, "I'm not playing games with you, and I'm certainly not out for revenge. Do you really see me as someone who plays with people's feelings?"

She couldn't do that to anyone, least of all to him.

Hearing her words, Eli finally felt a sense of calm, as if his heart had settled back into place.

He had been on edge ever since she agreed to give him a chance that morning, always afraid he had misunderstood or that it was all a dream, and she might change her mind.

Seeing her at the coffee shop for what he thought was a blind date threw him into turmoil.

Suppressing a smile, Eli looked up from where his head rested against Liz's neck, shaking his head and playfully blaming someone else, "Of course, you wouldn't! My Liz is always sincere and committed in her relationships. How could she ever toy with someone's feelings? It's all Tim's fault. He sent me a text, totally misleading me. I'll have to have a word with him later!"

Liz finally understood how Eli knew where to find her. Tim had been here too, tipping him off.

"What was that with the smooth talker you were with? Weren't you two on a date?"

Although he trusted Liz, the sight of her with another man earlier still nagged at him.

Liz then remembered Shawn was still waiting, and she was actually there looking for her friend, Yolanda.noveldrama

"I wasn't on a date, I was accompanying Yoli. Dr. Shawn wasn't holding my hand romantically; he was just taking my pulse. Now, let go of me; Yoli has been missing for a while, and I need to find her."

As Liz tried to leave, her hand was caught in a firm grip, pulling her back into an embrace. Before she could react, Eli pressed a quick kiss to her lips, then stepped back with a cheeky grin.

"A kiss to ward off any scare."

Liz, "..."

"Let's go, I'll help you look for Yolanda."

Holding Liz's hand, Eli started walking towards the restroom area, and she nodded in agreement.

"I think decent guy.

He's good-looking, patient, articulate, and has a

sense of humor..." Content t

Liz was trying to gauge Eli's opinion on whether Dr. Shawn was a good match for Yolanda.

However, her praise for another man made Eli's mood darken instantly.

"What kind of doctor is he?"

"A plastic surgeon. I think doctors are generally more patient and attentive than most men..."

Eli cut her off, "Right, and plenty of

high-IQ criminals are doctors,

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They're better at hiding and manipulation, even mastering psychological control, like Hogan."

Liz, "..."

After returning to Zion City, Liz hadn't heard from or seen Hogan again.

Eli's sudden mention of him brought back unsettling memories.

"Is Hogan not in Zion City anymore?"

Eli narrowed his eyes slightly, "Why, do you want to see him?"

Liz shook

head, puzzled by the disappof someone who had

once caused her so much distress.

t belongs to sweet

Yet, with Eli's insinuation, her initial good impression of Shawn started to wane.