Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

She was still struggling with postpartum depression back then; returning to Zion City or seeing Remington again had never crossed her mind.

It wasn't about provoking Remington. But who knew he'd react like a madman upon hearing the news?

"Just call him brother already!" Remington's voice was deep and firm once again.

Lizetta's chest heaved slightly. "Why should I listen to you? Open the car door, or I'm calling the cops!"

As she reached for her phone, Remington just watched her.

"Go ahead, call them. I won't let you out of the car unless you agree to call him brother."

His voice was cold and stubborn.

Lizetta paused, her finger hovering over the dial button, realizing he wasn't joking.

Even if the police came, he wouldn't let her go. She couldn't afford to lose face over something so trivial, not when he was ready to lose everything.

Outside the car window, Jerome was visibly getting anxious and impatient, knocking on the window more forcefully.

"Mr. Dashiell, open the door this instant!" he demanded.

her eyes for a moment, tired and exasperated as she looked

so childish?

words were cut off by his hoarse

can resent me, hate me,

car was too oppressive, but Lizetta could hear a slight tremble in

mouth to speak, but

club's restroom, when he mentioned washing clothes forher as achild, and

her like

to a woman at

had

her life.

breathe, she

of

spouses or lovers, I'm still your brother. You can't

someone else brother, he'd make sure they wouldn't live to hear

her to only think of him when she thought of a

gaze cold again, but his expression more

she resisted, he would only get

felt choked, and with a tremble of her lips,