Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Lizetta carefully lifted Rem's arm from around her waist and turned over.

She had stayed up waiting for him to come home last night, leaving the curtains open so she could see the driveway light up the moment he arrived. But at some point, she had drifted off to sleep.

Now the bedroom was filled with the bright light of morning, and Lizetta lay there in the warm winter sun, quietly watching the man beside her.

His face was strikingly handsome; every feature of him perfectly aligned with her ideal of beauty.

Or perhaps, her idea of beauty had been shaped by him.

Before she even knew what handsome meant, she had regarded Rem as the most handsome man in the world.

That's why, no matter how many years had passed, every time she saw his face, her heart still skipped a beat.

He must have stayed at the hospital all of yesterday, because even in his sleep, there was a hint of weariness on his brow.

Without thinking, Lizetta reached out and gently smoothed his furrowed brow.

Her touch was light, but Rem suddenly opened his eyes.

deep eyes of his, sharp and clear even just after waking, looked into

heart jump, and

"Did I wake you?"

hand, squeezed her fingertips gently, and

with a voice husky from sleep, he

"Good morning, honey."

her "honey" so casually. Despite being married for so long, this was the first time he had greeted her like that in the morning, in bed. With her heartbeat quickening, and her cheeks warming,

get back last night? Is Barbara okay

changed the subject,

mood, she thought Barbara must

closer into his embrace,

went well, but she's still in ICU for

smiled and let out a sigh of

good to hear. Look at you, your eyes are all red. Go back to sleep for a

Lizetta didn't want anyone to suffer,

more rest, but when he kept looking

hand away to look at her again before suddenly asking, "Did you