Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

"Back when Stella's incident had cast a shadow over Remington, he could hardly find it within himself to smile. It was your relentless pestering, your dependence, and your unwavering trust in him that eventually brought him back to his old self.

I've grown old, my health waning, don't know how much longer I could be a part of your lives. I hope you two can keep each other's company, support each other, and become a better couple. Do you understand?"

Lizetta couldn't stand to hear Fiona talk like that, and tears immediately streamed down her face as she hugged the old lady, sobbing, "Remi and I will definitely do better, but you can't say things like that, Grandma Fiona! I'm still young; I feel like I haven't even grown up yet. Remi has no patience. We have Joy now; I was hoping you could teach us how to raise the baby."

Fiona chuckled unwittingly, patting Lizetta's hair and said, "Alright, as long as you don't mind me spoiling Joy rotten, I'll surely teach you."

"That won't happen! You raised Remi and me, and we turned out to be the best," Lizetta boasted with a lift of her head, causing Fiona to laugh even more.

After a while, Fiona grew tired from all the talking. Once Lizetta had made sure Fiona was asleep, she stepped out of the room.

She asked Tina, "Where's Remi?"

up and see him, Mrs. Dashiell?" Lizetta shook her head, noticing the pruning shears in Tina's hand, an idea sparking in her

"It's been a while since Mrs. Dashiell seemed

call, his eyebrow raised slightly, "Why are you

Open the window, come on," she urged,

a tingling in his ear, his lips curving into a slight smile as he rose from his chair and walked to the

he spotted Lizetta standing in the

she waved at him vigorously, even hopping on the steps to

couldn't help but worry

expression turning serious, "Don't

those words, he skillfully leaped from the window sill, using a nearby maple tree for support as

the fast approaching figure, she walked ahead, flustered, "How could you