Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

"Liz, you've always been the tougher one!"

Was she really heartless?

Maybe, in a way, she had always been the kind to hold grudges, ever since she was a child.

Sensitive and fragile, hurt easily and, knowing pain all too well, she feared it and remembered it. Forgiving him time after time was her choice.

Because he never crossed her line, but losing their child, a child who could have lived and grown up... How could she face him or herself?

Often, she wondered, if she hadn't followed Remington back to the States, if they hadn't tried to start over.

Maybe Mr. and Mrs. West wouldn't have gone to such extremes, maybe her Daisy could have grown up well.

"Say what you will. You're not Daisy. How do you know she wouldn't want us as her parents or wish to return in another way?" It was all self-deception.

Liz's lips curled in a self-mocking smile as she took a step back.

Turning around, she didn't expect Remington to remain seated, his deep gaze fixed on her retreating figure, his voice heavy. "You're not Daisy either. How can you be sure she wouldn't?"

and

spun around, glaring at

you just stop

face paled further, a flash of memory striking him. He had said something similar to Liz before. Was it when he wouldn't come home after their wedding, and she would call, cooing and checking on

had brought pregnant Evelina back and she wanted a divorce, yet he begged her

there's no way out, to have given your all, only to be told you're making a fuss-it felt like offering up all your dignity for trampling, the cold seeping into

on his neck and hands from the effort to

didn't stand up, his voice

us has the right.

not understanding

facing the

forecast predicts rain. tonight. I'll stay here. If

can't

have nothing

rain doesn't come, then Daisy doesn't blame

turned his

can you be so childish! How old are you to believe in this?

forward, trying to pull him