Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Liz's eyelashes fluttered as she thought about all the moments with Remington these past days.

His gentleness and care, his respect, and the cautious ways he tried to get close.

And then, there was his vulnerability, his sadness, and the way he clung to strength...

She remembered the words of Timothy and Cedric, the way they held each other in the graveyard the night before, licking each other's wounds, and the ray of golden sunlight that shone on his pale face this morning, bringing life and hope to his eyes. Liz found herself choked up, finally compromising with herself.

Deep down, she'd already softened towards him, no longer blaming him, not knowing when her defenses had started to crumble bit by bit.

But she turned to him, "Cedric said, that night you went to the outskirts because Stella West said she'd go abroad if you went, is that true?" Remington hadn't expected Liz to suddenly ask this.

He paused, a flicker of panic in his eyes, "Why would Cedric tell you that?"

That night had become a taboo.

Remington knew, to mention it was to relive the pain for Liz, and a regret for him.

"Is it true?"

Liz still fixed her gaze on Remington.

under the care of bodyguards, knowing

a situation, was too scared, and with Martin West bedridden, she said she'd feel at peace going abroad if Quinn's baby was born safely,

before your due date, and I thought I could settle things and send Stella abroad, to take good

In, Stella's insistence that

night,

go

to get him to t

was a diversion.

the West family seemed well-prepared for this, leaving no concrete

in return, "Why

lips curled into a

make

an unchangeable

he had a million reasons, none could

he had told her,

go abroad afterward, her leaving fell through," Liz stared at

Remington's eyes narrowed slightly

he he suddenly pulled

making her unintentionally