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.

a group of elders

to Fiona's upbringing. No wonder Camille adores you and wants you as her daughter-in-law. What do you think, Liz?" "I'm still young. I'll listen to

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

vivid, like a young couple in love. And Fiona was all for uniting Lizetta and Lucian;

to Grandma Fiona, but he later stumbled

she agreed to listen to Grandma Fiona, she'd already refused. The one she liked, loved,

was filled with the way the girl had looked at him over the years: admiring, joyful, bright, hopeful,

within him. His hands clenched tight to the point that the veins seemed on

the next second, Remington turned and swiftly

had been on for over half

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

reassurance fell flat, both of them just hoping the surgery would end soon