Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

"Remington, come on, Shirley is a grown woman now, busy planning her wedding and all. Making her kneel in the ancestral hall for so long at a time like this? If word gets out, what will the Taylors think of her? Your sister could end up being ridiculed and looked down upon even before she's married! Mrs. Dashiell, I'm begging you, let's talk this out like a family. How about I apologize on Shirley's behalf, and you let her get up?"

On the other end of the phone, Shirley's mother, Mrs. Dashiell's voice quickly came through.

Remington's patience was already thinning, and he replied with a cold voice, "Instead of pleading with me, you might want to have a chat with her about her actions. Let's make sure she learns her lesson well before she causes any real trouble, so she doesn't get sent back from the Taylors and become a laughing stock."

Mrs. Dashiell was clearly taken aback by Remington's blunt words.

After a deep breath, she bit back, "Remington, it's just a little spat between Shirley and Lizetta, just girls being girls. Was it really necessary to make such a big deal out of it? We're all family here. It's not right to make your own cousin suffer over an outsider."

It was obvious that Mrs. Dashiell had already spoken to Shirley.

Lizetta knew Shirley too well to expect her to tell the truth. Shirley had always been skilled at playing the victim and minimizing her faults in front of the elders.

Lizetta scoffed silently. She didn't want Remington to have to fight this battle for her, to face family turmoil on her behalf.

That would make her feel indebted to Remington, something she wanted to avoid. She leaned over, attempting to take the phone from Remington to speak with Mrs. Dashiell herself.

as she leaned in,

fingers grazed the phone, brushing lightly

found herself collapsing onto

Lying there, somewhat dazed,

didn't immediately

muscles of Remington's thighs tense under her, almost as if they were

reality and tried

she did, the car dodged another obstacle, and she fell

Remington's heavy gaze, his fragrance

resentment and

need

divorce. Holding

thing Lizetta does,

still have