Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Yolanda found herself in the kitchen as expected, where the housekeeper, Zora, was bustling about.

Before she could say a word, Zora turned around, her face lighting up with a warm smile. "Oh, Ms. Yolanda, you're awake! Feeling hungry, I bet? Master Cassius mentioned you might be, given the rough night you had. He asked me to prepare some light oatmeal and desserts, just in case your stomach's still upset from before."

The rich aroma of food filled the air, and Yolanda paused, taken aback. "Cassius really said that?" she asked, skepticism in her voice.

Zora nodded earnestly. "Oh, absolutely! He was quite worried about you. You even got sick on him in the car, and for someone as particular as him, well, that's saying something. He carried you to your room himself, took care of everything without letting anyone else, not even me, help. It's the first time I've seen him like this, bringing a lady home and all..."

Yolanda was momentarily stunned. Had she really thrown up on Cassius? And he took care of her?

A small part of her was touched, but she quickly brushed it aside. Cassius must

be out of his mind, she thought. First, he gets her drunk, and now he's playing the doting caregiver? Maybe he was just acting; after all, he is an award-winning actor.

But real life wasn't a stage, and she had no interest in playing along. Yolanda shook her head, cutting off Zora's chatter. "Your Mr. Sterling suddenly isn't feeling well. Do you know how to contact a doctor?"

Zora froze for a second, then quickly put down the spatula. "He's not well? I'll call Wilson to come back right away!" She wiped her hands on her apron, grabbed her phone, and dialed a number, glancing at Yolanda. "I'll get the doctor. You should go check on him, Ms. Yolanda!"

Before she knew it, Yolanda was

being gently but firmly ushered back upstairs, Zora's voice following her. "Could it be from jumping into the pool to save you earlier? From three floors up, no less... Oh dear, oh dear!"

Yolanda blinked in confusion. "What do you mean, jumping from three floors?" All she remembered was having a drink and blacking out. None of this made any sense.

When she returned upstairs, Lizetta was nowhere to be found. Yolanda had intended to ask her what on earth had happened, but that idea went out the window.

Back in the bedroom, she found Cassius still curled on the bed, just as she had left him. She approached cautiously. "The housekeeper called for a doctor. Are you still in a lot of pain?"

Cassius opened his eyes, giving her with

a look filled with hurt and

melancholy: "Do you want some water? I can get you a glass," Yolanda offered, noticing he was sweating more than before, his forehead glistening and dampening the pillow.

Feeling a rare pang of guilt, she softened her voice. Cassius glanced at the nearly empty glass on the nightstand, his expression tight. "Do you think I'm in the mood for water right now?"

Yolanda blinked, realizing he might indeed be too unwell for it. "Maybe it's not as serious as it seems?" she ventured, her voice trailing off under his brooding gaze.noveldrama

Cassius let out a sardonic laugh. "Maybe? And if it is serious? Can you handle that? Just help me with the sweat."

"Oh, right," Yolanda murmured, grabbing a tissue and moving closer. She sat on the edge of the bed, gently wiping Cassius's forehead and neck.