Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Remington didn't opt for boiling water but instead warmed up a cup of milk for Lizetta.

He walked back into the living room, placing the warm cup between Lizetta's icy hands, his large palms covering her cold ones. "Take it slow."

The lights in the living room felt too soft to Lizetta, casting a gentle glow in the man's amber eyes, making them appear overly tender.

She averted her gaze, withdrawing her hands from his. "Thanks for tonight, but why are you here?" she asked, sipping the milk and looking up at him.

Remington had been hanging around downstairs every night for the past few days, sometimes leaving in the middle of the night, other times just sleeping in his car. No matter how late it was, he made it a poin to visit; otherwise, he'd find it hard to sleep back at Oakridge Heights.

He was glad he came early today, but he had promised Lizetta he wouldn't bother her until Stella had left.

Changing the subject, he said, "You're sweating bullets. Let me get some water for you to wipe off."

He fetched a bowl of warm water and a warm towel, leaning in to wipe Lizetta's face for her. Lizetta had just put down her half-drunk milk.

"I'll do it myself," she said.

Remington paused, not insisting.

She thought she had calmed down, underestimating the terror of childhood traumas. Her hand shook, dropping the towel on the blanket like a startled

the towel, held her in his arms, forcibly keeping her shoulders

towel soothed her tense skin, bringing a slight

asked as he wiped her hands. The ringtone continued; Lizetta

the call had just timed out, automatically hanging up. The phone unlocked itself with face

was still

with Cedric, and as

Lizetta's fingertips touched it,

Aman's deep voice filled the

We

so did Lizetta. She then frantically tried to stop the video. It was Cedric who

guilty? As if she was secretly spying on him, paying attention to him, when that wasn't

her thoughts, the video stopped, plunging the living room into