Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

"It's not like that!" Lizetta pressed herself closer into Remington's embrace; her small face nuzzled against his chest as she continued. "I'm a selfish person, Rem. All I want is for you to always take care of yourself! And isn't that what everyone should do anyway? How could that be wrong?

I also believe that if Stella had a better shot at escaping that day, you would've given her that chance without a second thought, right?"

Lizetta sniffed, while tightening her arms around Remington's waist.

"I don't care about anything else; if you hadn't escaped back then, I wouldn't have you with me now! And that's just not acceptable!" Listening to Lizetta's somewhat childish reasoning, Remington felt a deep stir within him.

When he was found and brought back, the West family, of course, said nothing.

Even if they didn't blame him out loud, they did in their hearts.

Even his father, Nathan, felt guilty towards the West family, probably thinking he, as a boy, should not have left Stella behind.

Stella as if she were her

in such a position, couldn't voice

was the first time someone told

should have

his chin gently brushing the

with red. Despite her words, the thought of that dreadful situation still weighed

desperate kidnappers, the girl with a severed

no sign

wonder Barbara cried herself

appearance and age were so similar to

from driving while exhausted. He held on just long enough in the hospital to hear the DNA results, but I had

didn't want his mom to carry this regret to her grave, so he asked me to bring Eileen back. If Barbara couldn't hold on, we would tell her we found Stella, even if it was a lie. You

were the burdens that weighed heaviest