Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

"Mama D, as mothers, you have to see what's happening here. Lizetta, she's not just ignoring me, her own mom, but she's letting one of the help push me around. Look at me, I'm all bruised up from it... Let go!"

Daisy struggled once more, her hand swiping across Zora's face in the process.

Hanna's face turned stormy as she barked at Zora, "Let her go!"

It wasn't that she felt sorry for Daisy; she just thought the whole scene was embarrassingly tacky. If Daisy wanted to leave, Hanna thought she should just disappear quietly. As the matriarch of the Dashiell household, Mrs. Hanna Dashiell had always carried an aura of authority.

Zora flinched, panic flashing across her face, ready to release Daisy.

Lizetta quickly interjected, "Don't let her go!"

Zora, acting on instinct, tightened her grip. With her strength from years of caregiving, Daisy had no chance of breaking free.

Daisy's eyes burned with desperation as she appealed to Hanna again.

fault for not raising my daughter right. She mistreats me, her own mother, and doesn't even

don't," Lizetta cut in

with a smile, "Aunt Hanna, you must've heard about me and Remington filing for divorce. If you really

you threatening me?!" Hanna's

lightly, "Just a friendly

stay out of her business. Hanna gave a cold laugh through gritted teeth and turned away from Daisy's complaints, addressing Lizetta instead. "Stella saved you; she's your lifesaver. If you have any decency, you'll

frowned slightly, blocking the assertion. Was being a lifesaver that easy? Although grateful to

give her a chance

at Zora. "The recorder,

Gardenia's pillow. After Jolin left, I tried to retrieve it, but she came back, saw

Zora explained.

a cold look and began

Daisy, even shaking out her dropped wig and