Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

"The CEO helped Mrs. Dashiell into the car and then got in himself," Cedric hadn't finished his sentence when Lizetta, anxious, started running toward the hill. Cedric watched Lizetta's retreating figure and chuckled under his breath, rubbing his hands together before he headed toward Mr. Jackson's duty room in the back. There, Mr. Jackson had rigged up a small kitchen and was busy washing rice, preparing to make some porridge.

Cedric approached, "Mr. Jackson, do you think our boss and his wife will make up this time?"

""Ah, young folks' business, how would I know?"

"I reckon it's about time. Even if they don't reconcile this time, they're just one step away."

...

Meanwhile, Lizetta sprinted up the hill as fast as she could.

Reaching the top, she caught sight of that familiar figure. The man was in the same posture as the night before, kneeling rigidly in front of a gravestone.

His figure was stoic, his back serene, motionless.

The night's frost and the morning's mist had already soaked his hair and clothes.

The darkened fabric of his neatly pressed suit bore witness to his vigil. Hearing footsteps, he turned around, his deep, clear eyes as if cleansed by the mist, sharp and profound.

morning sun finally leaped over the mountains, touching

at Lizetta, his lips curving

up. Do you

heart swelled, her emotions hard to keep in check. She

doesn't blame us. You won the bet, you fool! Now get

to kneel at the

hadn't expected Remington to be so stubborn as to

him up, but

"Ouch! Don't move me!"

"What's wrong?"

startled, quickly

as Remington was pulled up, his legs, without support, crashed back to the ground. Remington,

legs were numb, the sensation of thousands of biting ants overwhelming as Lizetta's pull seemed to reactivate his circulation. Unable to stand, he almost

pain was evident on his face,

I didn't mean to. Your

knelt to

f.n