Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Lizetta shook her head, burying her face in the man's chest, and eventually asked, "Was it Stella who saved you?"

"Yeah, she was born on the same day as me, just half a day earlier, but she had always considered herself as my big sister. That time, she threw herself at the kidnapper, and held him back long enough for me to get away."

Back then, Stella had injured her leg, which already slowed her down.

They had discussed it, in case of an emergency, rather than both getting caught, it was better if at least one could escape.

If one escaped, he or she could possibly bring back help for the other.

Remington closed his eyes, and said with a voice heavy with guilt in Lizetta's ear.

"I left her behind, and selfishly saved myself."

Remington's voice paused, and Lizetta felt his suppressed emotions; her heart was both panicked and pained.

She hugged Remington tightly and stoke his cheek with a hand; shaking her head, she said with a voice extremely soft and gentle.

was right, it wasn't selfish. You were just a kid, barely in

wanted to soothe the pain in Remington's heart, but his emotions

hand in his; not showing much change in his expression, he continued

I heard a gunshot. Later, I managed to escape, but when I returned with help to that forest cave, all we found was a

had sworn to find that

find Stella, alive

families had searched for many years without

later, the Dashiell family's sources indicated that

even going there himself, after so many years, he still hadn't

clenched

unconscious gesture, quickly grabbed his hand, signaling

palm wound had reopened, with the blood seeping

frowned, "I'll get the

brought the first aid kit, and

her head, carefully disinfecting

somewhat gloomy; Lizetta was still processing everything

Stella, the girl who lost a thumb at eleven but saved Remington, Lizetta felt a surge of gratitude