Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Dora's worst injury was a gunshot wound to the abdomen, but thankfully, Ray arrived in time, and it wasn't life-threatening.

After some time to recover, she was mostly fine. However, when Lizetta went to pick her up, Dora was still visibly exhausted and decided not to join Lizetta for dinner at a restaurant. After Dora left by cab, Lizetta and Remington got into their car.

The backseat was spacious, yet Remington sat right next to Lizetta, close enough that Lizetta had to scoot towards the door.

"Can't you scoot over a bit?" Lizetta couldn't hide her annoyance.

Remington's gaze was fixed on her, admiring her frosty expression, wishing he could use Timothy as an excuse to break the ice.

All the talk about experiences and relaxation didn't seem to work at all.

A week apart, and the only thing that changed was his growing longing for her.

"I can't, my legs are too long," Remington said, spreading his long legs even further, so his thigh pressed against Lizetta's.

With his height of over six feet three inches, he claimed there was no comfortable way for him to sit without taking up all the space.NôvelDrama.Org (C) content.

Lizetta gritted her teeth, turning to look at him with a half-smile.

"I know you're good at stretching your legs, no need to show off."

Remington was baffled. "When did I ever...?"

But he quietly drew his legs back, giving Lizetta a bit more room. Just when she thought she had some space, she was suddenly lifted by a strong force and found herself sitting on Remington's lap. Lizetta was furious. "What are you doing?"

Remington's face was cool as he raised an eyebrow. "You accused me of stretching my legs too much, so now you're pinning them down, making it impossible."

Lizetta was speechless and attempted to struggle, but Remington wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer. His breath was hot against her ear, his voice hoarse with suppressed emotion. "Have you missed me, even a little, during this time apart?"

His breath tickled her ear, causing her heart to flutter uncontrollably.

That day in Thaddeus's hospital room, his words had left a mark on her.

She often dreamt about their childhood memories, him trying to braid her hair, teaching her how to ride a bike...

Upon waking, she found her thoughts uncontrollably drifting to him.

Yet Lizetta wasn't ready to admit it. She barely moved her lips to speak when Remington suddenly looked up, holding her gaze.

"Never mind, don't say it. You're always so contradictory. I won't believe it anyway. I'll find out for myself."

Before Lizetta could react, Remington's hand was on her chin, and his lips were on hers.

He kissed her deeply, urgently, until Lizetta bit him hard on the lip, tasting blood.

Remington released her, wiping the blood from her lip without anger, surprisingly in a good mood.

"Mrs. Bernice Madden was wrong. You're not to keep your distance from me, especially now that it's too late for that."

Lizetta moved away from him, settling on the opposite side.

"It's not too late. We're divorced, remember? And Mrs. Madden was right; she and her husband had a

love that could make even the gods jealous!"

Their kiss, brief as it was, didn't cure the longing but Remington dared not push her further.

He took a tissue, pressing it against

his lip, and said, "Divorced or not you're no longer the Dashiell family's charity case. You're just Lizetta, the woman I, Remington, intend to woo, totove, and to bring home.

Lizetta clenched her fist, listening to his deep, serious words.

Remington continued, "Divorce was an end. you, but for me, it's a new beginning! The kind of love that could make the gods jealous? I'lI give you that."