Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

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Chapter 40

So this thing, Lizetta got it when she was nine, thanks to Remington. She couldn’t quite recall why she was down in the dumps back then, but anyway, Remington took her out to try her luck at the claw machine. End of the day, the siblings blew over 200 coins and didn’t snatch a single fuzzball.

Lizetta ribbed him for his crappy skills, but Remington fired back, saying it was the claw machine’s stingy odds that were to blame, not his technique.

Lizetta turned a deaf ear, and the next day, her super competitive brother lugged home this very claw machine, rigged it so the odds of winning were a solid 100%.

In no time, he snagged Lizetta a sofa’s worth of plushies, and while she was secretly thrilled, she pouted and griped about him making her fave game boring.

Later, Remington whipped up a little odds–tweaking app on his phone, so he could switch up the chances whenever he wanted.

From then on, this claw machine turned into Lizetta’s very own Doraemon. Feeling blue? She’d give it a whirl for a little pick–me–up. In high spirits? She’d take a shot; it’d drop a surprise.

When her birthday rolled around, she’d be buzzing with excitement, practically glued to the machine, wondering what would pop out.

After tying the knot and moving to Oakridge Heights from the Dashiell family villa, Lizetta didn’t pack much – except for this claw machine.

Ever since her fallout with Remington four years back, she hadn’t touched a single gift from that machine.

that Remington would stash this year’s present in there. She squatted down, fumbled around underneath, and sure enough, found a bunch

an hour later, Lizetta’s floor was littered with gift boxes; all unwrapped, only four had

ring, earrings – stuff Remington must’ve slipped in over the past couple of days. And the other two? Her birthday present and their

a mini camera – Lizetta hit play and found a birthday message recorded

The

birthday shout–out must’ve taken Remington some real elbow

a cocktail of excitement

12

stirring emotion that

causing

bygones be bygones for the sake of the gifts, at least for

Remington’s fever had. broken, when rustling noises from the dressing

with Oakridge Heights‘ tight security. Maybe Edith had

a feather duster

case.

was beyond

guesses.

open, clutching a pair of men’s undies, she spun around at the sound. Their eyes. locked, and Evelina