Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Fiona snapped, "How could that diary be real! If Liz had any feelings for Lucian, she wouldn't have rejected the marriage proposal right in front of me!"

Remington's hands, previously hanging loosely at his sides, clenched tightly as a tumult of emotions surged from disbelief to realization.

His voice was hoarse, "Rejected the marriage?"

"That year Liz turned sixteen. Camille wanted Lucian and Liz to study abroad together. In front of me and Camille, they made it crystal clear - they weren't having any of it!" Something seemed to lodge in Remington's throat, and it took him a moment to speak, "Was it during the Christmas holidays?"

Fiona pondered before nodding, "Christmas Eve, to be precise. Camille always visited me on that day."

Remington abruptly closed his eyes. Darkness enveloped him, yet it couldn't hide the burning pain in his gaze.

He remembered that holiday season; he was caught up with the branch office work and only made it back to the family home four days after Christmas.

the living room, he saw a group of elders chatting with Lizetta, and a distant relative

Camille adores you and wants you

the couch. Lucian looked up, made a face at her, and she blushed even more, shooting

like a young couple in love. And Fiona was all for uniting

Grandma Fiona, but he later

Fiona, she'd already refused. The one she liked, loved,

had looked at him over the years: admiring, joyful, bright, hopeful,

the point that the veins seemed

the guests, but in the next second, Remington turned and swiftly

hospital's operating room, the light had been on for over half an hour.

wedding dress, her hands clasped together yet trembling slightly. Anxiety, fear, and regret intermingled

was by her side, but his attempts at reassurance fell flat, both of them just hoping the surgery would end soon