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.

his eyes brimming with tears, looking pitifully at Lizetta for

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

down hard on the man’s

because Evelina got a little roughed up, Remington got all fired up and protective? He didn’t

1/3

wishing she could take a chunk out of Remington, tasting the metallic

she looked up again, Evelina was already

him, her pale face showing off a huge bruise on

think my hand’s broken. What if I can’t ever play the violin again? It really hurts so

a chill in his deep eyes, wrapped an arm around Evelina’s shoulder, his icy gaze fixed on Lizetta and

fine mess you two have

this unfold, Lizetta felt like her blood had turned to ice. She was his wife, but there he went, naturally

as one Evelina in his eyes. Lizetta felt humiliated, tugged at her lip, but before she could say anything, Joseph, leaning on her, slid to the ground, eyes shut.

“Joseph!”

collapsing to the ground with him in her arms. She frantically

of his

instinctively looked to Remington for help. But Remington just stood there emotionless, picking