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.

a moment, tired and exasperated as she

being so childish?

were cut off by his hoarse

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

but Lizetta could hear a slight

to speak,

mentioned washing clothes forher as achild, and her

her like waves, nearly

child to a woman

brother had been

of her life.

to breathe, she

his head, a layer of sadness glistening in

if we're not spouses or lovers, I'm still your brother. You can't

if she called someone else brother, he'd make sure they wouldn't live

to only think of him when she thought of

gaze cold

if she resisted, he would only get

felt choked, and with a tremble