Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

"Mom, Remi's got no patience for this stuff..."

Shirley couldn't believe it when Remington actually stopped in his tracks and turned to look at her.

"You're going on blind dates?"

She was stunned, not expecting him to care about her personal affairs. Ever since she was subjected to a prank involving hot sauce by Remington, their cousinly bond had grown quite thin, with Remington treating her like she was invisible.

"Who says your Remi doesn't care? I'm right here asking, aren't I? Spit it out," Mrs. Dashiell urged, nudging Shirley, who nodded in a mixture of surprise and gratitude.

"I... well, I'm at the age for dating and marriage, right? They're all from our social circle. Mom says it's better to know their background, so I thought why not go for blind dates."

"What about Hogan? Weren't you all over him before? Suddenly lost interest?"

Remington's gaze was piercing.

Shirley nervously licked her lips and shook her head, "I... well, it's just not happening. He's not into me at all. Can't keep throwing myself at him, can I? So, I gave up. Don't like him anymore." Remington stared at her for a moment longer before shifting his gaze to the photographs Mrs. Dashiell was holding.

he said, then strode

in the study, Remington turned to Ray and instructed, "Check out what happened between Shirley and Hogan, will you? And that woman

tell Shirley

perseverance, but her infatuation with Hogan had been an

been squabbles over

before, with Shirley and Lizetta at odds, causing

blind dates felt off to

suppressed a smile, "Sure thing,

lady of the house, and the boss

the room while Remington sat behind

hadn't had much

but he could see that Hogan was far from the harmless persona he projected. The year Hogan got into trouble abroad, Helen White approached their family with a

about Hogan's secret affection for Lizetta? The cunning moves Helen made could very well have been inspired by Hogan. For years,