Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Lizetta's eyelashes fluttered as the warmth from the old lady's gentle grasp reached her heart, blurring her vision with unshed tears. She hadn't anticipated that when Remington gathered the entire Dashiell family, it was to make such a public declaration. Taken in by the Dashiell family since she was a child, Lizetta had always felt a deep sense of inferiority and timidity in their presence, never able to lift her head high. She always believed that the Dashiell family had given her life, nurturing her into adulthood-a debt of

Remington had often reminded her of this. "Lizetta, the Dashiell family raised you. Your life, your very being, belongs to the Dashiell family. You have no right to defy us, no right to leave." Yet now, he was openly stating that she no longer owed anything to the Dashiell family. No one in the family had the right to use past favors to control her anymore.

gratitude she felt she could never fully repay.

Her lips trembled as she tried to speak to Fiona Dashiell, but the lump in her throat grew heavier, leaving her at a loss for words. Her heart was a tangled mix of bitterness and relief, a complex array of emotions. Sensing her turmoil, Fiona gently patted her hand in reassurance and spoke, "Alright, everything that needed to be said has been said. Tonight, I just want a quiet dinner with Liz. Everyone else, head home. There's no need to stay."

With that, Fiona stood, pulling Lizetta up with her. "Liz, help me back to my room to rest for a bit. Remington, see them out."

"Of course, Grandma," Remington replied, his gaze lingering on Lizetta, who, unfortunately, never looked back at him. It was as if she was avoiding his eyes.

The Shirley family felt particularly embarrassed today. Watching Lizetta and Fiona leave, chatting and laughing, Shirley couldn't help but storm out, her eyes red and ignoring her sore legs.

one

the whole family

him."

sourly, "I get it. I don't see what's so special about that girl, managing to wrap Mom

make a scene, keep those thoughts to

the room as dinner was still a while away. Fiona wanted to rest a bit, and just as Lizetta opened the door, she

medicine on Tina's tray

are you burned? My goodness, I was so careless...

dress was

at the chest, though fortunately, the medicine