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!

the floor?” Edith stood at the door, looking surprised.

quickly blinked away her tears, and stood up.

“What’s up?”

asked me to

it was birth control. She took it and

when she saw the bloodstains on the floor that she realized a piece of broken glass had pierced her foot, smearing blood all over her sole.

the floor, and then attended to

to the dining room, the candlelit dinner and cake she had prepared were still

out.

sat down alone, picked up the utensils, and slowly ate, as if paying last respects to her failed marriage. In the living room, Edith’s panicked voice rang out,

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

face changed, “You go start the car; I’ll take Joseph out right away.”

feel bad.”

into the room; the child’s forehead was burning up, feverishly clinging to her palm.

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Chapter 2

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don’t be scared, Joseph. We’ll go to the

reached the hospital, it was nearly midnight, and after a series of checks, Joseph was admitted.

medical report. Thinking Joseph might fuss when he

snacks.

was ajar, and she could