Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

But the reporters were relentless, not giving Lizetta a moment's peace. One particularly brash male reporter, seemingly irked by his thwarted attempts, got physical and shoved Lizetta hard. Lizetta felt a rough hand grab her collar, causing her to stumble and her head to collide with a nearby camera stand.

Scowling, she was about to reach for her phone when suddenly the pressure on her vanished.

A cry of pain echoed through the air.

The man who had been manhandling her was sent flying, knocking into others and causing a commotion.

"Where did you get hit? Let me see!"

A familiar, deep male voice, filled with evident concern, came from above.

Lizetta stiffened for a moment before looking up.

Standing before her was a face she hadn't seen in ages, a man tall and imposing, his presence as commanding as ever.

It was Remington.

Lizetta had anticipated they might cross paths upon her return, but she hadn't expected it to happen so soon.

Why was he here?

Without dwelling on it, she quickly composed herself and shook her head at Remington.

"I'm fine."

face the male reporter and the crowd with

"Mr. Dashiell..."

face went pale. They, and others who sensed

in

back to Lizetta, his previously

Cedric pull the

struck her

had ghrased his question,

unfamiliar but pleasant surprise.

at Remington and nodded, then pulled Yolanda

let Yolanda in first but didn't follow. Instead,

around, Remington was approaching. Seeing her outside the car,

to see

ask them some questions," she said before Remington could suggest Cedric take them while he arranged another pickup. Remington paused, then realization dawned.

spark of hope flickered in his eyes. His lips curved slightly as he

parking lot

по

the brief flicker of joy

gaze,