Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Remington sidestepped smoothly, not batting an eyelid as he dodged Evelina’s little stunt.

With an even tone, the guy said, “It shouldn’t be Lizetta who asked Joseph to stir things up. You’ve mistaken her.”

Evelina was gobsmacked. Here she was, and Remington was quick to jump to Lizetta’s defense. Tears welled up as she looked up, choking on her sobs, unable to get a word out, and buried herself in Shirley’s embrace.

Shirley, playing the spokesperson Evelina wished for, laid into Remington, “Remi, just look at the state Eve’s in! She’s been practically living in the hospital, always roughed up by Lizetta, who you’ve spoiled rotten! Eve’s the biological daughter, and Lizetta’s just a faux one. If it wasn’t for your backup, she wouldn’t dare to be this brazen! Eve’s been through the wringer, and you’re still shielding Lizetta? C’mon, Joseph’s just a kid; he’s got no beef with Eve. He wouldn’t pick on her for no reason – it’s gotta be Lizetta pulling his strings! Joseph’s been Lizetta’s little puppet since forever!”

Shirley was secretly hoping Remington would beat Lizetta up now that Evelina was hurt so bad. A nobody, an ill–omened wretch, and she was trampling over her? No way!

Remington’s gaze was heavy enough to turn Shirley pale, her heart skipping a

beat.

“Shirley, on what grounds are you standing here? Don’t forget you’re a Dashiell. Lizetta is your sister– in–law! Get out.”

His voice was calm, not scolding, but Shirley was petrified, not daring another peep. She knew Remington was livid, and she wasn’t about to test his limits.

Her eyes reddened as she staggered away from Evelina and ran out. Evelinal fell back onto the bed, her lips trembling.

“Remington, Shirley just came to my defence; was that a shot across the bows for me? You’re blaming me when I’m the one who got the short end of the stick.”

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Her tears flowed freely, the picture of distress. Remington saw her tear–streaked face, but his mind flashed to Lizetta’s stubborn, red–eyed defiance.

He spoke a tad softer, a glimmer of annoyance in his eyes.

“Joseph was out of line today; I’ll give him a talking–to and have him come apologize. But let me be clear, Lizetta had nothing to do with this mess. Here, take this card and treat yourself to whatever you fancy; let’s call it compensation.”

He took out a bank card from his wallet, placed it on the nightstand without another glance at a stunned Evelina, and uttered, “Get some rest.”

He turned and strode to the door, pulling it open and leaving before Evelina could protest or cling on.

As soon as he shut the door, he bumped into Kevin and his wife, with Lizetta trailing behind them.

His eyes met Lizetta’s, who turned her head away with a cold expression.

Remington’s gaze turned icy, his aura suddenly sharp.

“Remington, you.” Elara began.

She barely got a word out before Remington’s eyes swept over her, his voice cold and accusing, “Who laid a finger on my wife’s face?!”

Lizetta was taken aback by his direct confrontation, her head whipping around to face him. Wasn’t he worried about Evelina, leaving her and Joseph. behind, and now what was this about?

Before she could figure it out, Remington was in front of her, pulling her into his arms. In doing so, he accidentally bumped Elara, causing her to stumble and be caught by Kevin.

“Does it hurt?”

Remington reached out to touch Lizetta’s injured face but paused, not wanting to cause her more pain.

Lizetta’s nose tingled with a mix of emotions she couldn’t unravel, her tear

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ducts threatening to betray her.

She blinked rapidly and said in a low voice, “Leave it be.”

Remington snorted, “You’ve got some nerve. If you’re so capable, you. should’ve kept the riffraff at bay.”

Elara, implied to be the riffraff, bristled with indignation.

“Remington, what do you mean by that!? Eve’s been hurt time and again because of her, and we haven’t had any serious squabble with her. This time, all we did was give her a bit talking–to and slap

some sense into her for once. And now I’m the one left with a bruised heart by her defiant retorts! You turn a blind eye to her antics, and now you’re even egging her on?”