Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Chapter 48

Lizetta whipped her head around and saw two rows of security in black swiftly part the rubberneckers.

A tall and imposing man strode over briskly, his sharp gaze piercing through. Lizetta, who was standing off to the side, like an arrow.

Before Lizetta could even gather her wits, Remington’s towering figure had breezed past her like a whirlwind, heading straight for the counter.

“Joseph!”

His voice was deep and icy cold. Joseph, who was startled by his arrival, dropped the hammer he was holding and was about to dive under the chair.

Remington took two quick steps forward, grabbed the boy by the back of his collar, and hoisted the now tall and skinny kid up.

“Remi! I’m sorry! Ugh, I can’t breathe! Liz, save me!”

Joseph was flailing, his tiptoes nowhere near the ground, crying out for mercy. When Lizetta saw Joseph getting the short end of the stick, she rushed over, wrapped her arms around Joseph, and confronted Remington.

“Remi, Joseph’s still sick! Let go of him! He’s already said he’s sorry!”

While she spoke, she tried to pry Remington’s hand off Joseph’s collar with one hand, but the man’s grip was surprisingly strong, his palm and fingers. like iron bars, and Lizetta couldn’t budge it.

and face were turning red, his eyes brimming with tears,

wasn’t sticking up for her, Lizetta wouldn’t stand for anyone messing with her little brother,

bit down hard on the man’s wrist. She was really

and protective?

1/3

fuming and heartbroken, wishing she could take a chunk out of Remington, tasting

let go, and Lizetta, stumbling, managed to steady Joseph. When she looked up again, Evelina was already in

her pale face showing off a

so bad. I’m scared. Boo–hoo. I think my hand’s broken. What if I can’t ever play

his deep eyes, wrapped an arm around Evelina’s shoulder, his icy gaze fixed on Lizetta and Joseph leaning on her.

you two

her blood had turned to ice. She was his wife, but

humiliated, tugged at her

“Joseph!”

arms. She frantically caressed Joseph’s face, “Joseph?

sweaty, and Lizetta, thinking of his

was useless, she instinctively looked to Remington for help. But Remington just stood