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

you stop being so childish? It's just

off by

holding all our memories and stories, Liz. You can resent me, hate me, ignore me, but you can't cruelly erase the pure

was too oppressive, but Lizetta could hear a slight tremble

opened her mouth to speak,

country club's restroom, when he mentioned

crashing over her like waves,

from a child to a woman at the

brother had been there

phase of her

to breathe, she saw

head, a layer of sadness glistening in his deep, cool

if we're not spouses or lovers, I'm still your

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

if she no longer called him brother, he wanted her to only

back to her, his gaze cold again, but

if she resisted,

a tremble of her