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

you and wants you as her daughter-in-law. What do you think, Liz?" "I'm still young. I'll listen

on the couch. Lucian looked up, made a face at

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

Grandma Fiona,

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

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

tight to the point that the veins seemed

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

on for over half

together yet trembling slightly. Anxiety, fear, and regret intermingled in

her side, but his attempts at reassurance fell flat, both of them just hoping the surgery