Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Stella endured the humiliation with remarkable grace, which only deepened Lizetta's admiration for her.

After all, it's not easy to have both a thick skin and the talent of a first-rate actor, but Stella seemed to possess both qualities.

Stella's intention was clear: she wanted to remind Fiona of that time she had forced her to chug a bottle of wine at the country club. Yet, Stella conveniently left out why she had done it in the first place.

Just as Lizetta was about to expose Stella's real motives, Remington cut in with a tone full of disdain.

"We're about to have dinner, and your nagging is really killing my appetite!"

His voice was deep, and his choice of words carried a double meaning, seemingly aimed at Stella herself.

Stella's eyes welled up with tears, utterly embarrassed and at a loss for words.

"Remington, what did I do wrong? Why are you humiliating me like this?"

She hadn't been nagging incessantly; she had merely mentioned it once, yet he accused her of being a nuisance.

Was it that, in his eyes, her mere presence was now a source of disgust?

Stella pondered, tears

with his lips pressed tightly, retorted, "You know exactly what you

turned awkward until Fiona tried to smooth

Stella, don't stoop

a faint sense of gratitude, thinking she

What's the

it out on Liz

too shy to confront her, so

everyone. Don't

unsure if his grandmother was

weak smile towards Fiona, trying

pretty slim. If the love's already gone, it's hard to mend, let alone a marriage. Liz has obviously moved on." Fiona

no chance. But if there's still love, Just misunderstandingscor someone else's interference, then why not? It's like they say, 'True love conquers all, through thick and thin.' Right,

her words were

the West family's intentions

had seen how much Remington had done for the West family, even