Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

He was there for her first parent–teacher conference, taught her how to ride a bike, and even did her first hair

braid.

Even when she got her first period or needed a bra, it was he who braved the store to get her pads and training bras. For ten years, he was like a brother, like a father to her.

At eighteen, Remington would go to the ends of the earth for Lizetta. At eighteen, Lizetta climbed into his bed, got caught, and it sparked a major scandal in Zion City. Fiona Dashiell, his grandma, beat him black and blue, forcing him to marry her.

His girlfriend, Evelina Hawthorne, left the country heartbroken.

He married Lizetta but didn’t love her, playing house without any real affection. A year ago, in a drunken haze, he made a move without a shred of emotion and refused to have children with her.

He resented her for ruining everything and wouldn’t let her call him “Remi” anymore. Yet, although she loved him deeply, she kept her feelings hidden, terrified of tainting his image – how could she ever drug him and climb into his bed?

Four years ago, that night, she had no idea what happened. Since then, everyone laughed at her for being promiscuous, and the Dashiell family never accepted her.

She was always compliant and trod carefully. She thought when her mother–in–law brought out the family bracelet and Remington spent their anniversary with her, it was a sign that she was finally accepted and liked by him. But it was all just her foolish fantasy.

Hope and despair were only a hair’s breadth apart. Everything that happened today was like a silent slap, waking her up completely.

She didn’t want to go on like this. She wanted a divorce – to set him free and to free herself!

“Mrs. Dashiell, why are you sitting on the floor?” Edith stood at the door, looking surprised.

Lizetta turned away, quickly blinked away her tears, and stood up.

“What’s up?”

“Before Mr. Dashiell left, he asked me to bring medicine up.”

Edith held a glass of water and a pill, and Lizetta knew it was birth control. She took it and swallowed it in front of Edith.

After Edith left, Lizetta closed the door and numbly started to tidy up the mess on the floor. It was only when she saw the bloodstains on the floor that she realized a piece of broken glass had pierced her foot, smearing blood all over her sole.

She laughed at herself mockingly, cleaned the floor, and then attended to her wound.

Descending the stairs to the dining room, the candlelit dinner and cake she had prepared were still neatly laid

out.

Lizetta sat down alone, picked up the utensils, and slowly ate, as if paying last respects to her failed marriage. In the living room, Edith’s panicked voice rang out, “Something’s wrong; Mr. Joseph Dashiell has a high fever!”

Yesterday, her eight–year–old brother–in–law Joseph was sick and insisted on meeting Lizetta. The bracelet incident, it was he who spilled the beans to Lizetta.

Lizetta’s face changed, “You go start the car; I’ll take Joseph out right away.”

“Liz, I feel bad.”

Lizetta rushed into the room; the child’s forehead was burning up, feverishly clinging to her palm.

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“I’m here; don’t be scared, Joseph. We’ll go to the hospital right away.”

By the time they reached the hospital, it was nearly midnight, and after a series of checks, Joseph was admitted.

Hanna and Wilma rushed over to keep watch, and Lizetta went to get the medical report. Thinking Joseph might fuss when he woke up in the night, Lizetta decided to go back to the ward to grab her bag and buy some

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The door to the ward was ajar, and she could hear crying and talking.

“Don’t worry too much, Mrs. Hanna Dashiell. The doctors say Joseph’s leukemia isn’t high risk, and he might not need a bone marrow transplant.”

“I know, but Joseph has rare blood type. We can’t avoid transfusions. If Lizetta could have a matching child, it would at least mean she’s somewhat useful. The Dashiell family hasn’t been supporting her for nothing.”

In an instant, Lizetta felt like she’d been struck by lightning. She understood then – Joseph was the apple of her mother–in–law’s eye, born in her old age.

Hanna didn’t want her to get pregnant; she wanted her to bear a savior for Joseph, a living donor.

Chilled to the bone, Lizetta turned numbly and walked to the outpatient hall.

She thought the night couldn’t get any more absurd, but then she looked up to see her husband. Remington was with another woman, both wearing glowing headbands, looking like a couple of lovebirds.

He was looking at his phone while the woman playfully reached up to tweak a wolf ear on his headband. The family jade bracelet glittered on her wrist – the Dashiell family heirloom.

Lizetta’s world spun, and she felt nauseous, turning her head to retch. Remington looked up and saw Lizetta.

Their eyes met, and Lizetta froze.

Remington’s expression was unchanged; he said something to the woman, who then looked over.

Only then did Lizetta see her face clearly – the fair, innocent and comely.

It was Evelina; she had come back!