Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Remington hit the road, and before he knew it, he was cruising into Oakridge Heights.

Oakridge Heights was pitch black, not a single light on. He kinda regretted coming back here, but since he was already here, he got out of the car and walked into the foyer.

After getting hitched, he didn’t come back here that often, but whenever he did, the place was always lit up like a Christmas tree, with a cheery little lady rushing to greet him, fussing over whether he was hungry or cold.

Back in the day, he thought he wasn’t cut out for that kind of doting wife waiting for him at home, but now he realized, he didn’t get used to this desolation.

It was so cold it chilled him to the bone.

“Mr. Dashiell? I’m sorry. I didn’t know you’d be coming home tonight.”

The lights flickered on with a click. It was Edith who had heard the car and scurried over from the guest house.

Edith was kinda puzzled why he was stumbling around in the dark, and she tentatively asked, “Have you had dinner? Shall I whip something up?”

The man climbed the spiral staircase without looking back, leaving just a few words behind, “No need, go get

some rest.”

Remington pushed open the master bedroom door; the room was tidy, no different from usual. Except for the absence of that graceful figure, it felt hollow. His gaze swept around, finally landing on the vanity.

On the rosewood surface lay two pieces of jewelry, resting silently. Besides the earrings, there was also a wedding ring. Sparkling and splendid, yet unadmired.

Remington let out a cold laugh and muttered under his breath, “Easy to win her over? My foot.”

He couldn’t win her over, and instead got slapped by her. Now he truly believed that woman was dead set on getting a divorce!

Just then, Remington’s phone buzzed. It was Cedric calling, “Boss, Joseph’s condition has taken a turn for the worse. The medical team is all here. You should come and talk to them for the details.”

After rushing to the hospital and talking with the medical team until past midnight, the man stood alone by the window, his expression heavy. He hadn’t expected his brother’s illness to be so stubborn, and the doctor’s words weighed heavily on him.

He probably got it wrong about the condoms and Lizetta. Thinking of the woman who had stormed out, Remington pinched the bridge of his nose.

In the dead of night, Lizetta was half–asleep when her phone kept buzzing. She rolled over, grabbed her phone. and saw that Remington had sent her a photo.

In the picture, a man’s strong, attractive fingers were playing with a pair of diamond earrings. The earrings and the wedding ring on his finger were reflecting each other in a weirdly intimate way.

[I’ll hold onto these for you.]

[Let me know when you’re coming back; I’ll pick you up.]

Lizetta stared at the screen, a bit taken aback. She thought Remington would be furious after the slap, or at least he wouldn’t bother with her anymore.

She let out a cynical snort. Back when she used to wait for him day and night at Oakridge Heights, he hardly ever came back. Now that she was gone, he suddenly decided to return.

Couldn’t sleep without her? Who was he trying to fool?

Just then, news about Remington returning from the airport with Evelina popped up again. Evelina wasn’t a big

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star, and the fact that the gossip was still hopping around after all this time meant someone must’ve paid to keep it hot.

But it also meant Remington was playing along, right? Feeling stuffy inside, Lizetta chucked her phone back on the nightstand, rolled over, and pulled the covers over her head, trying to get back to sleep.

The next day.

After wrapping up her morning tutoring session, Lizetta headed back to her modest apartment, whipped up at few dishes, and then went to see Joseph.

She had the servants feed Joseph, while she sought out his doctor.

Fiona was in poor health, and probably kept in the dark to avoid a shock. The doctors were tight–lipped about Joseph’s condition, only hinting at a common cold.

Lizetta took the initiative to bring about what she knew, and only then did the doctor reveal the severity of the situation.

Exiting the doctor’s office, she bumped into Hanna, who had come over. It was rare for Hanna to acknowledge Lizetta with a nod, but she did, instructing her, “Come sit with me at the café across the street.”

Lizetta followed her to the coffee shop, and they sat down facing each other. Hanna got straight to the point.