Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Barbara lifted her gaze to meet Lizetta's clouded eyes, which were unfocused and murky, unsettlingly so.

Lizetta, harboring her venomous thoughts, shuddered instinctively.

Remington's hand, initially resting on Lizetta's wrist, slid down to grasp her hand firmly.

At the same time, the man, growing impatient, lifted his foot and slammed his polished Iridia leather shoe onto Ralap's knee.

Ralap twisted in pain, his body shaking. He looked up, reached out desperately to grab Barbara, and cried out with a hoarse voice.

"I was just doing what you told me, bringing people abroad to get rid of Mrs. Dashiell! You're the mastermind! You are!"

Barbara, though blind to the sight, could smell the strong scent of blood and feel its sticky presence.

She could only imagine what Ralap looked like now.

Her face showed a mix of horror and anger as she struggled and vehemently denied the accusations.

"Ralap! Think carefully about what you're saying. If your mom knew you were trying to pin this on Barbara, how could she go on living?"

your mom. Your uncle has treated you like his own son. This is biting the hand

and Barbara were using Cecilia as a

who grew up in a single-parent household, had

face as he sobbed,

his

just how shameless they could be to escape

something else, had been kneeling quietly, tears

she looked up,

me!

crawled a few steps towards Ralap, positioning herself in front of everyone,

broken plea, she looked up at Remington and said, "Remington everything started

one to go to I was the one who

as Barbara

You can't just say things like that! Why

only I hadn't come back, it's all my fault... I've ruined everything..." Stella and Barbara embraced, Stella weeping bitterly, while Barbara closed her eyes tightly, her face a picture of utter defeat. Stella's reaction and her words brought Barbara

into taking the blame in front of Remington was