Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Yolanda had stumbled upon a video circulating in the upscale Zion City socialite circles showing Stella being roughed up, and initially thought sharing it with Lizetta might cheer her up. But now, she felt keeping anything related to Remington and his circle away from Lizetta was perhaps the kindest act.

As Yolanda looked down to close the paused video, her fingers slipped, and the video blared to life.

"Ah! Help, get off... It wasn't me!"

Stella's screams immediately filled the air.

Yolanda could see the smile fade from Lizetta's face.

Regretting her lack of clarity, she quickly dimmed her phone's screen, intending to pocket it, but Lizetta had already raised her hand.

"I want to see."

With no choice, Yolanda walked over.

The video, filmed by an unknown bystander, only captured the back of the hefty woman assaulting Stella, but Stella, pinned and kicked on the ground, was visible in clear detail.

Lizetta watched intently, while Yolanda cautiously observed her, worried that the sight of Stella in distress might trigger unpleasant memories for Lizetta.

calm throughout, her gaze as if watching

exciting. Her screams, so grating, you'd think it was a pig being slaughtered..." As Yolanda

it's quite satisfying,

to waste." Lizetta smiled lightly, nodding. Yolanda turned to serve up a hearty breakfast, while Lizetta's gaze lingered on the video,

earlier; the places Stella was hit mirrored the

again, she was even

video come from? Why

soup

family dinner I went to? I joined a socialite group there, and it popped up from that

group's been buzzing,

tried that before... Her vibe's too loud to

table dishes and sweet beame

buns

Ewe matche

spoken out of turn

in regret, she nearly