Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

"Sorry."

The mom with the child was visibly intimidated, holding the child and speaking with a pale face.

Stella stepped out from behind Remington, her voice gentle.

"Remington, don't be like this. He's just a kid."

She moved closer, speaking softly to the crying child.

"Hey, little buddy, it's okay. I just got a little hurt, there's nothing scary. How about I treat you with some ice cream next time, huh?"

But the kid only burrowed deeper into his mom's embrace, crying even harder.

The embarrassed mother quickly left with the child in her arms.

Turning around, Stella's face briefly clouded with sadness before she forced a smile.

"It's nothing, really. I'm used to it."

Yet, her hand trembled slightly in Remington's grip.

Remington felt a pang of guilt, and his brow remained frowned.

"That beast. I swear I'll find him and make him pay," he said, his voice low and determined.

the two people who kidnapped them back then, one died, and the other, the one who cut off Stella's fingers, fled the country and hasn't been found since. Stella nodded, "I believe

and turned around, only to realize that

had been there just moments before, was already

and

headed towards the elevator, as Stella called

in surgery, aren't you

only replied in a deep voice, "I'll be

stood still, watching his hurried departure until his figure disappeared, then she

out of the

imprinted in her mind, repeating itself in her

wasn't surprising, nor was it heartbreaking.

mistakenly brought back as Stella,

should have seen it clearly

she felt extremely uncomfortable in

wasn't jealousy or sadness; it was

et

was the man who professed to love her while refusing to

compassion for another woman.

would find that hard

cleaned her hands, then turned to find a trash can. Turning her gaze,

handsome face

exhe face illuminated b

beam

intimidating, his eyes

Lizetta turned

take two steps, Remington

"Ah!"