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.

for a moment, tired and exasperated

you stop being so childish? It's just

cut off by

stories, Liz. You can resent me, hate me, ignore me,

in the car was too oppressive, but Lizetta could hear a

her mouth to speak, but the

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

crashing over her like waves, nearly overwhelming

child to a woman at the

had been there

her

to breathe, she saw

head, a layer of sadness

I'm still your brother. You can't call anyone else brother

he'd make sure they

him brother, he wanted her to only think of him when she thought of a brother, no one

his gaze cold again, but his expression more obsessive

she resisted, he would only get

choked, and with a tremble of