Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

"Don't overdo it, let me know if you need anything."

Liz waved her hand dismissively, "Got it, got it."

She walked past Jerome with a smile, but he hesitated for a moment, reaching out to grab her arm.

Liz turned around in surprise, her eyes full of questions.

Jerome looked deeply into her eyes and asked, "Did you guys... make up? Did you forgive him?"

Liz paused, realizing he must have misunderstood when he saw her leaning into Remi's embrace earlier in the room.

She quickly shook her head, "How could that be? He was just steadying me because I almost fell, that's all."

She paused, as if convincing Jerome as well as herself.

"Seeing him just reminds me of Daisy. It's impossible between us, forever."

Her voice was resolute, her gaze as determined as ever.

But Jerome knew it wasn't so.

If it had been before, Liz would have pushed Remi away the moment he tried to embrace her, her body language screaming rejection.

But earlier, she had leaned into Remi's embrace, their eyes even meeting.

emotion in her eyes when she looked at Remi was

heart, simply patting Liz's head before turning to

room was just a few steps away. As Liz turned to enter, she noticed the

the door open, only

thin lips pressed together, his gaze

if he had overheard

stepping aside, "Were you leaving?

she could finish, her wrist was caught in a firm

before she could react, her back was against the door, trapped by Remi

at him, wide-eyed, about to demand he step back, but

"Forever impossible?"

voice was rough and husky, his chest

sudden unease

she met his

"Yes, impossible. So you..."

seeming

she could finish,

unable to restrain himself

leaned down

I

sealed

her lips with his.

this, especially with how