Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Chapter 2

He was there for her first parent–teacher conference, taught her how to ride a bike, and even did her first hair

braid.

Even when she got her first period or needed a bra, it was he who braved the store to get her pads and training bras. For ten years, he was like a brother, like a father to her.

At eighteen, Remington would go to the ends of the earth for Lizetta. At eighteen, Lizetta climbed into his bed, got caught, and it sparked a major scandal in Zion City. Fiona Dashiell, his grandma, beat him black and blue, forcing him to marry her.

His girlfriend, Evelina Hawthorne, left the country heartbroken.

He married Lizetta but didn’t love her, playing house without any real affection. A year ago, in a drunken haze, he made a move without a shred of emotion and refused to have children with her.

He resented her for ruining everything and wouldn’t let her call him “Remi” anymore. Yet, although she loved him deeply, she kept her feelings hidden, terrified of tainting his image – how could she ever drug him and climb into his bed?

Four years ago, that night, she had no idea what happened. Since then, everyone laughed at her for being promiscuous, and the Dashiell family never accepted her.

She was always compliant and trod carefully. She thought when her mother–in–law brought out the family bracelet and Remington spent their anniversary with her, it was a sign that she was finally accepted and liked by him. But it was all just her foolish fantasy.

Hope and despair were only a hair’s breadth apart. Everything that happened today was like a silent slap, waking her up completely.

She didn’t want to go on like this. She wanted a divorce – to set him free and to free herself!

floor?” Edith stood at the door,

away, quickly blinked away her tears, and stood

“What’s up?”

Dashiell left, he asked me to

of water and a pill, and Lizetta knew it was birth control. She took

and numbly started to tidy up the mess on the floor. It was only when she saw

floor, and then attended to

candlelit dinner and cake she had prepared

out.

slowly ate, as if paying last respects to her failed marriage. In the living room, Edith’s panicked voice rang out, “Something’s

brother–in–law Joseph was sick and insisted on meeting Lizetta. The

“You go start the car;

I feel bad.”

was burning up, feverishly clinging to her palm.

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Chapter 2

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be scared, Joseph. We’ll go to the hospital right away.”

the hospital, it was nearly midnight, and after a series of

over to keep watch, and Lizetta went to get the medical report. Thinking Joseph might fuss when he woke up in the night, Lizetta decided to go

snacks.

ajar, and she could hear crying and