Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

She felt like she was sinking into a solitary deep sea, engulfed by the deathly waters of isolation, unable to hear any sound or feel any warmth around her, that was until Yolanda's loud shouts pierced through her numbness.

Lizetta slowly came back to her senses, her hand subconsciously reaching up to touch her face. She thought she would be in tears, yet, there were none.

Her cheeks were dry, her eyes scratchy and sore, as if they were about to ignite. Her chest felt numb, as if it had been hollowed out.

She thought, so this was what true despair, disappointment, and sorrow felt like - utterly desolate, without even tears to show for it.

"Really, how could she break the gift?"

"Guests should be treated with respect, but this is just rude."

Lizetta blinked back to reality, and when she did, she was met with the stares of a few guests, looking at her disapprovingly under Evelina's tearful accusations.

Lizetta stopped Lucian, who was about to confront them with displeasure, and offered a polite, yet firm smile.

while guests are to be treated with respect,

come with bad intentions?" Evelina

someone else's wedding, and gifting two

everyone's condemning gaze

Lizetta's composure even after hearing about the reason of Remington's absence and her graceful handling of the situation, Evelina was at a loss for words. Her face flushed, and she quickly turned

Lizetta closed her eyes for a moment. Seeing her pale, Lucian thought it was because of Remington's delay and said in a deep

reached for his phone, stepping towards the door, but Lizetta grabbed his arm. Turning back, Lucian saw Lizetta offering a faint, pale smile. "Luc, no need. Please, apologize to grandma and the guests for

over her shoulders as the pearl tiara meant to secure her veil hit the

pearls from the tiara's back chain scattered across the floor, like the tears of a mermaid

stood in shock as Lizetta began to

going on? Think of something!" Lucian's face

snapping out of her shock, shrugged and said with a cold laugh, "A groom who misses his own wedding doesn't deserve

for Lizetta, she hurried after her. Just then, a commotion

"What's happening in there?"