Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Chapter 196

The man’s thin lips curved up ever so slightly, as he tousled Lizetta’s long hair. Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

“Alright, alright, did you hurt your teeth? Think you can forgive me, Liz?”

Lizetta let go of him, and hearing his voice laced with amusement, she felt utterly pathetic. Just a few sweet nothings from him, and the knot in her heart started to untie, her grudge against him melting away.

She hung her head, too embarrassed to look up, and just nudged him away with a gruff voice, “Why don’t you go take a hot shower?”

She was ready to leave, but Remington held on, not letting her go.

“So, are you still mad? Can you forgive me this time?”

To Lizetta, it seemed pointless. Forgiven or not, what difference did it make? After all, they were on the road to divorce, and this wouldn’t change a thing.

She looked up at him, her eyes red, “Didn’t you say we were gonna cut ties for good? Does my forgiveness even matter to you?”

Remington furrowed his brows, “Of course, it matters.”

Lizetta’s nose tingled again, “Then I don’t blame you anymore. Can you let me go now?”

Her response was overly indifferent, leaving Remington with a lump in his throat that he couldn’t swallow or spit out.

But Lizetta pushed him away firmly, “I really don’t blame you.”

He never had an obligation to rescue her. Even now, his concern was more of his affection

for a sister.

Lizetta thought if there were a next time, between her and Evelina, he would probably choose Evelina again.

Still, his reaction today did give her some peace of mind. She didn’t want to hold any resentment towards him. That was enough for them now.

She left the bathroom, closing the door behind her for Remington. But she didn’t see him. standing there, motionless for a long time.

Eventually, the man leaned against the wall, feeling somewhat powerless. With a mix of irritation and resignation, he ran his hand through his damp hair and finally turned on the shower, letting the water droplets cascade over him.

Lizetta walked downstairs; the villa was eerily quiet, not a soul in sight. Most likely, everyone had been summoned away by Fiona to give her and Remington some space.

19:43

Lizetta, somewhat resigned, went to the kitchen and brewed a cup of tea to chase away the chill for Remington.

She brought the tray back to the bedroom just as Remington was coming out of the bathroom. Wrapped in nothing but a towel around his waist, he was drying his hair with one hand and holding his dripping wallet and phone in the other.

Remembering the crying in the bathroom, Lizetta felt somewhat uncomfortable. She felt embarrassed to look at him; her gaze fell on the phone in his hand.

“That’s a goner, huh? If you knew Grandma Fiona was up to something, you could’ve at least taken your phone out before jumping in.”

Remington tossed the phone and wallet onto the dresser and said, “I didn’t have time to

think of it.”

He had seen the video on the way home, and just as he walked through the door, heard Fiona say Lizetta had fallen into the water drunk.

He panicked, not bothering to take off his coat or pull out his phone. It was after diving in twice and not finding anyone that he came back to his senses.

But Lizetta didn’t quite catch Remington’s drift; feeling all awkward, she bent down and placed the tea on the table.

“I made you some tea; have some. I’ll head out now.”

She didn’t know how to face him, half–dressed as he was. Remington said nothing and didn’t stop her. Lizetta hurried to the door, yanking hard but it wouldn’t budge.

She frowned, twisting the doorknob and trying again, but the door still wouldn’t open. She was flabbergasted when footsteps approached from behind, and Remington came over. “Grandma’s usual tactic. Seems like neither of us is getting out today unless we make up.”