Chapter 248
Hogan didn’t spell it out, but Lizetta got the drift – he was hinting at the scandal with Remington that had blown up in her face back
then.
Whenever that episode was brought up, Lizetta couldn’t keep her cool completely; a slight pallor crept over her face.
“Mom guessed you might’ve done something foolish to dodge the matchmaking, and felt super guilty about it. I felt like crud too, never dared to reach out to you again.”
Lizetta remembered getting the odd text from Hogan early on, but then they petered out. Friends going abroad and drifting apart was nothing new, so she never made a big deal out of it.
“Later on, I fixed up my legs and switched to medicine, came back from abroad just when Thaddeus hit a rough patch. I wanted to make amends for the past, so I became his doc. Seeing you again, I wanted to say sorry, but then I realized you seemed out of the loop about the matchmaking biz. Couldn’t make heads or tails of it, so I dropped it and never revealed my cards these past two years.”
After laying it out, Hogan looked at Lizetta earnestly, eyes brimming with regret, “Lizetta, I’m really sorry for the crap I pulled back in the day and for keeping you in the dark. I’m not expecting forgiveness, just hoping for a shot at making things right. The gig at the Lab is a real break for Thaddeus, and I want to help snap him out of it.”
Lizetta shook her head, and Hogan’s face fell, but then she said, “I’ve forgiven you, Hogan, so no need for all this. As for Thaddeus, ! can’t take you up on your offer, sorry.”
Lizetta didn’t hold much of a grudge against Hogan; she probably knew what it was like to have a crush.
Just like how she could only spill her guts to her diary in the dead of night and then stash it away.
She felt a kindred spirit in Hogan, a bit more understanding and forgiving.
The one who spiked the drink wasn’t a White family insider; that night’s mess didn’t tie back to the Whites‘ matchmaking.
Even if the Whites‘ proposal was a bit disrespectful, Hogan was clueless, and his dedication over the past year more than made up for
- it.
“You really don’t blame me?” Hogan was all agog.
Lizetta nodded with a smile, “All’s well that ends well, and you don’t need to beat yourself up because,” She locked eyes with Hogan, unwavering, and added, “that thing back then had nothing to do with the proposal; it was all me, totally willing.”
Hogan’s fingers clenched. He got the message – Lizetta was brushing him off.
She said she willingly hooked up with Remington, had nothing to do with him or the matchmaking.
She was rejecting him again, crystal clear.
Hogan managed a wry smile, “Okay, got it. My mom’s been meaning to apologize to you in person too.”
He didn’t finish because something suddenly sprang from the flower bed, startling Lizetta so much she nearly toppled over.
Hogan was quick on his feet and steadied her. Lizetta was still shaken, “Thanks.”
Turned out to be a frisky stray cat climbing a tree.
Lizetta looked up to find Hogan’s gaze fixed on her belly, her hands instinctively crossed over it.
“Does Mr. Dashiell know you’re pregnant?” Hogan blurted out.
He’d seen Lizetta touching her stomach and talking to herself, so he had his suspicions.
Lizetta was taken aback, “How did you find it?”
“I’ve seen enough expectant mothers at the hospital to recognize that protective gesture. Just guessed.”
Lizetta quickly grabbed Hogan’s arm, “He doesn’t know, and you better keep it hush–hush.”
Hogan’s expression was complex, “But Liz, being a single mom is tough, especially abroad, all alone. Mr. Dashiell doesn’t seem like the type to shirk responsibility. Maybe you two should hash it out. Running away overseas isn’t the answer, and kids need their dads.”
Lizetta didn’t expect him to be the one to give her advice. She shook her head and withdrew her hand.
“I’ve made up my mind, Hogan. I need some space to myself.”
“Alright then.” Hogan backed off and left.
Just as he reached the entrance to the ward, he bumped into Remington hurrying out.
They stared at each other, and Remington headed his way.
‘She’s in the garden,” Hogan offered.
10:05
Remingtons cold gaze pinned him down, Spare me your high and mighty act, it’s superfluous.
As the man passed by, Hogan hesitated but still stepped in his way.
Facing the joy Remington, he said, “Mr. Dashiell, Instead of getting jealous and cutting off your rivals, maybe pay a bit more attention to Liza well–being, give her a sense of security.”
Remington’s eyes narrowed, a blend of danger and frost, “What are you getting at?”
