Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Lizzy had slipped across the border under a false identity, thinking that once the cops showed up, she'd be in a world of trouble. But somehow, Rem had handled it. The cops had only asked Lizzy a few simple questions before they left.

After a night of restless sleep, shaken by the encounter, Lizzy had quickly fallen into a deep slumber once the police were gone. When she next awoke, she sensed movement.

Opening her eyes, she was startled to find herself in Rem's arms, being carried out the door.

"Where are you taking me?" Lizzy looked around, bewildered.

Seeing her awake, Rem looked down and said, "Back to Zion City."

Lizzy was shocked, grabbing at the man's shirt collar, "You bastard, you promised you wouldn't force me!"

She kicked and pulled at his collar as if she wished she could strangle him.

Rem's eyes flashed with resignation, his lips pressed into a thin line, almost grinding his teeth as he spoke.

"I agreed to your condition," he said.

Lizzy blinked, surprised. "Really?"

was a bit skeptical, feeling an odd

scoffed, "You don't seem too happy about

a big, sarcastic smile. "I'm thrilled! I

feeling a pang of pain. He wished he didn't have to let her go, especially with other men buzzing around her like flies. But he was

his forceful tactics, he dared not

afraid of pushing

at large,

you your wish... consider it compensation for

marriage

was the only way to

the resolution in his eyes; she could tell he was

marriage was

down, slowly releasing her grip on Rem's collar, whispering, "So, after

"Yeah."

letting Rem lift her into

drove away, she watched the town recede through the window, her eyes filled with reluctance and longing.

tightened, but then he remembered

here?" he suddenly