Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

After hanging up the phone, the man turned around, his gaze methodically sweeping through the bedroom.

Hanna had said that Lizetta's things were all still there, and indeed they were.

A cashmere shawl she often wore was strewn across the sofa, and her vanity table was still cluttered with her frequently used belongings.

Remington walked over, opening the jewelry box on the vanity. Inside, neatly arrayed, were the gardenia earrings, their wedding bands, and the pink diamond necklace he had recently given her. She hadn't taken any of it with her.

Yolanda mentioned that these items weren't what Lizetta wanted, but having them laid out in front of him felt like a silent slap across Remington's face.

He picked up the earrings, accidentally staining them with blood from his hand.

A pang of panic crossed Remington's eyes as he stroked the earrings.

He wanted to wipe the blood away. But it only seemed to spread more, impossible to be cleaned.

relationship,

time in his life, he was utterly uncertain about something, doubting whether their fractured

me it to death? Is that why you've

like the most fitting

had snapped, and he bended

the days that followed, Remington kept himself busy with

her, and those who had been sent to Summer City before were all recalled. Instead, more

to follow Remington and learn

and Stella began to

impending alliance between the Dashiell and the West families began to circulate in Zion City, all signs pointing to Remington moving on from Liz, proceeding

evening, Stella returned home late to find Barbara lounging on the sofa, listening

Why so

Remington asked me to accompany him. He introduced me to a lot of people, and he even drove me home himself,"

a smile, her expression softening as she held