Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Remington’s handsome face was the picture of calm, his deep eyes cooling as he fixed them on Lizetta.

“Mrs. Dashiell, you’re such a sport, always looking out for me. Since that’s the case, if Granny isn’t a fan of Eve, could you maybe put in a good word for her, help me sway her?”

Lizetta was floored; she was already bending over backwards, and now Remington had the nerve to ask her, his actual wife, to pave the way for his mistress.

She clenched her fists, taking a deep breath to keep from planting one right in Remington’s smug face.

For the sake of the divorce, she bit her tongue.

“Fine, I’ll do my best.”

Who would’ve thought, after agreeing, Remington’s face would turn even colder. He suddenly stood up, looming

over her.

“Most Touching Character of the Year – they should really create a Devoted Wife Award just for you.”

Lizetta was livid. If this guy wasn’t her brother, she’d be drawing circles and hexing him to drop dead in the street in a minute.

Remington stormed out, slamming the door behind him, leaving them at odds once again.

In the car.

Seeing Remington with a frosty look on his face, Cedric internally sighed for what felt like the thousandth time.

Couples‘ fight didn’t last long, but here Remington and his lady were, taking their spat to a hotel, and still no make–up in sight.

Remington left so quickly, Cedric was starting to wonder if the boss had lost his touch.

“Sir, do you want me to get Mrs. Dashiell’s belongings from the restaurant sent over?”

Remington glanced over, “You got nothing better to do?”

Cedric just couldn’t believe that Remington had it in him to leave his penniless wife stranded at a hotel. That’s cold, man.

Remington’s fingers swiped across his phone, opening WhatsApp and the chat with Lizetta, a mocking sneer at the sight of the red system notification.

“Did you find out what I asked you to?”

Remington pocketed his phone, and Cedric sat up straight.

“Got it

it all sorted. Mrs. Dashiell is juggling three jobs. Apart from the mermaid gig at the restaurant, she’s also a dance double on a set and teaches private dance lessons to a seven–year–old girl. I’ve already made sure the restaurant won’t be expecting her back. Do you want me to interfere with the other two?”

The other two jobs didn’t seem too shady, Remington stayed silent for a moment before responding.

“Leave it be.”

“Another thing, there’s this online influencer who posted a video of Mrs. Dashiell’s mermaid performance, and it’s gotten quite hot. I’ve had it taken down, but plenty of copies are probably out there.”

Remington’s lips pressed into a thin line, “Got it.” Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

He closed his eyes, clearly done talking about it.

But his mind was replaying memories of teaching Lizetta to dive, back when she was a fifteen–year–old girl, just

after her exams.

She wa

was daring and a quick leamer, and thanks to her dance training, she had strong lungs and was soon free diving with ease.

She had even dressed up as a mermaid to swim with dolphins, insisting he take lots of pictures.

At night, while he was in a video conference at the hotel, she’d curl up at his feet, flipping through the photos.

Distracted during his meeting, a note slid under the table to him.

[Remington, do I make a pretty mermaid?]

It made him chuckle, and he scribbled a reply while still in the meeting.

(Don’t you dare show anyone else, you’re too convincing. I’m afraid you’ll get snatched for experiments.]

A rustling came from below, and he glanced down to see her covering her mouth, giggling at the note.

Soon another note appeared.

[I’ll be good, only for you to see.]

Remington’s lips curled in scorn.

That woman, her own promises forgotten.

She shouldn’t be wearing a mermaid tail; she should be wearing a fish head!

The phone rang, the hotel landline.

Remington answered.

“I don’t have a change of clothes, could you send some down, please?”

Lizetta had taken a shower, only to find out there were no clothes to change into. Worse yet, her phone, purse. and clothes were all still at the themed restaurant, leaving her without a penny.

“My people aren’t at your beck and call.”

Hearing his cold voice, Lizetta clenched her teeth, frustration boiling over in her tone.

“Remington, you’re the one who dragged me here!”