Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Stella had just returned from the Miller family's place when she walked into the living room to find Martin West on the phone, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. Upon seeing Stella, he quickly wrapped up the call and hung up, eyeing her with a furrowed brow. "Weren't you over at the Dashiell's? What happened to you; you look like you've been through a wringer?"

Her swollen eyes and bruised cheek were painfully evident. Stella made no attempt to hide them as she slumped onto the couch.

"Dad, Remington is now blaming me for Lizetta's complications during childbirth. He wouldn't listen to a word I say, showing absolutely no compassion. And Mrs. Dashiell, she's been completely charmed by Lizetta, gave me a thorough tongue-lashing, and this," she gestured to her cheek, "was courtesy of Lizetta herself!"

Martin's expression darkened. "Useless, how can you not hold a candle to a divorcee with no one in her corner?"

Tears welled up in Stella's eyes. "How is this my fault? I've only been back a short while. Lizetta, on the other hand, has been with the Dashiell family for nearly fifteen years."

"You even sacrificed a finger for Remington. You need to leverage your strengths."

Martin frowned, prompting a thoughtful nod from Stella. "Dad, I know what I need to do, don't worry. But it looks like there's no getting through to Fiona and Remington for now. Aren't you hitting the golf course in a couple of days? Mr. Dashiell will be there; take me with you."

odds. Nathan's departure from the estate was marked by a sour expression, leading Stella to suspect the father and son were at loggerheads over

get yourself ready to

for a coach to

knowledge on etiquette and high-society skills since her return, she felt her grasp was superficial, fearing she might embarrass

open, letting out the wails of a baby. The nursery was next door, and the nanny

"Anna, what's going on with Ron? Why is

not my fault, you know Mr. Ron is frail by nature. I've been very careful, but he seems to have a fever

the premature

now in prison, leaving the child fatherless. With Martin aging and lacking the patience for childcare, Stella

left in

even showing patience at first. However, after her attempts to engage Remington using the child as a pretext were ignored, her patience wore thin, leaving the bulk of the