Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

The guy had ice in his eyes and a chill that crept into one’s bones.

Lizetta chickened out, which was kinda lame but, hey, he just did her a solid. At least she kept up appearances as Mrs. Dashiell in front of the others.

Joseph pouted, “Remi, when are you gonna hand over the bracelet to Liz?”

Lizetta’s eyelashes fluttered; deep down, it bugged her.

Remington didn’t send the family bracelet to Evelina, which gave her a secret thrill and a glimmer of hope.

But Remington’s voice was as frosty as ever, “After pulling a stunt like that, you still expect the bracelet? Even if Evelina didn’t get it, doesn’t mean it’s only belong to her!”

Lizetta felt a chill in her heart, and Remington couldn’t read her expression as she hung her head low.

He was about to suggest that if someone would just swallow their pride, admit their mistake, and cut out the constant divorce drama, he might still. give up the bracelet. But before he could say it, Lizetta looked up and, with a smile, told Joseph.

“I couldn’t care less about that bracelet, so drop it, will you?”

Remington’s handsome face darkened. Of course she didn’t care; she didn’t even give a damn about him.

He stood up, his voice cold as ice, “When you mess up, you better show some attitude. Go and face the wall and reflect on what you’ve done wrong!”

Joseph could tell he was really ticked off this time and didn’t dare talk back, just mumbled, “Okay.”

The kid hopped off the bed and shuffled over to stand in the corner. Lizetta didn’t budge, though. She wasn’t his little sister, and she wasn’t about to stand in punishment.

She grabbed a basin of water and headed for the bathroom. As she brushed

past Remington, he grabbed her wrist hard enough to almost make her drop the basin.

She bit her lip to keep from crying out in pain, defiantly met his gaze, and said with a sarcastic smile, “What’s the plan? Squeeze till my hand breaks to get back at me for Evelina?”

This woman must be going through a delayed rebellious phase. She used to be so well–behaved, and now she was prickly as a little hedgehog.

He could get a mouthful from her without saying a word.

Remington let go and gave a cold smirk, “You’re overthinking it. Your hands. ain’t worth as much as Evelina’s; she’s a violinist.”

With that, he turned and left, the hospital room door slamming shut with a bang.

Lizetta felt like she’d been pricked with needles. Yeah, Evelina’s hands were precious, playing a single tune and Remington would throw down 200 grand.

What was she in comparison? She gulped down her frustration before finally stepping into the bathroom.

She figured Remington must have seen Evelina again; he had to hurt the feelings of his beloved and now probably had to figure out how to sweet–talk

her.

With her head down, she rinsed and wrung out the towel, hanging it on the rack near the corner, when the sound of the door opening came from behind. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Without turning, Lizetta said softly.

“Joseph, no monkey business, okay? The old devil’s cunning as a fox; he’ll probably double back to check on you. Get back to your spot and look all obedient; that might cool his temper once he gets back and sees it. Add some crocodile tears even when you have to pinch your leg for them, and your could probably charm your way out of this.”

Having finished her piece, she didn’t hear an answer from Joseph and was about to look back when a chilling voice came from beside her ear.

“Old devil? Cunning as a fox? Charm my way out?”

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His voice was frosty, making the hairs on the back of Lizetta’s neck stand on end. She straightened up, standing stiff as a board like she was being punished with a military stance, even more cowed than Joseph.

As Lizetta realized this, her temper flared, and she was about to walk away when his arms caged her in from both sides, his broad chest warm and imposing against her back.

Frozen, she said, “How dare you eavesdrop!”

Remington snorted, “Now you’re really playing the blame game, huh? I walked

in fair and square. You’re the one talking to me, so how am I the one

eavesdropping?”

“Listening in without permission is still eavesdropping. I was talking to Joseph, not you.”

She threw out all sorts of twisted logic, but Remington couldn’t be bothered to argue with her childishness and just scoffed.

“Oh really? And how else would I find out about all these little schemes you have up your sleeve to deal with me?”

Playing sweet, crying, acting cute – those were her go–to moves to handle him, and if those failed, she’d fake being sick.

But truth be told, she’d always listened to him and hardly ever resorted to those tactics. Still, being called out made Lizetta’s face heat up, and the sting on her slapped cheek burned even more.

As she was feeling uncomfortable, a cool sensation pressed against her swollen right cheek. It was Remington, holding an ice pack, applying a cold compress to her face.

The shock of cold made Lizetta shiver.

“Does it hurt?” He asked softly, right by her ear.

The defenses Lizetta had crumbled; her voice was soft and tinged with emotion as she asked, “Do you ever care?”