Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

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So this thing, Lizetta got it when she was nine, thanks to Remington. She couldn’t quite recall why she was down in the dumps back then, but anyway, Remington took her out to try her luck at the claw machine. End of the day, the siblings blew over 200 coins and didn’t snatch a single fuzzball.

Lizetta ribbed him for his crappy skills, but Remington fired back, saying it was the claw machine’s stingy odds that were to blame, not his technique.

Lizetta turned a deaf ear, and the next day, her super competitive brother lugged home this very claw machine, rigged it so the odds of winning were a solid 100%.

In no time, he snagged Lizetta a sofa’s worth of plushies, and while she was secretly thrilled, she pouted and griped about him making her fave game boring.

Later, Remington whipped up a little odds–tweaking app on his phone, so he could switch up the chances whenever he wanted.

From then on, this claw machine turned into Lizetta’s very own Doraemon. Feeling blue? She’d give it a whirl for a little pick–me–up. In high spirits? She’d take a shot; it’d drop a surprise.

When her birthday rolled around, she’d be buzzing with excitement, practically glued to the machine, wondering what would pop out.

After tying the knot and moving to Oakridge Heights from the Dashiell family villa, Lizetta didn’t pack much – except for this claw machine.

Ever since her fallout with Remington four years back, she hadn’t touched a single gift from that machine.

That was why it never crossed her mind that Remington would stash this year’s present in there. She squatted down, fumbled around underneath, and sure enough, found a bunch of specially customized coins.

Half an hour later, Lizetta’s floor was littered with gift boxes; all unwrapped, only four had something inside.

A wedding ring, earrings – stuff Remington must’ve slipped in over the past couple of days. And the other two? Her birthday present and their anniversary gift.

A swanky diamond–studded watch, a mini camera – Lizetta hit play and found a birthday message recorded just for her.

It were blessings from her idol, the music maestro in Celestia, Cash. The legend was 78 and hadn’t made a public appearance in ages.

Scoring that birthday shout–out must’ve taken Remington some real elbow grease.

Clutching the camera, Lizetta was a cocktail of excitement from her idol’s encouragement

and a deep, stirring emotion that wouldn’t quit.

It was like a feather dropped in the lake of her heart, causing ripples that tickled her senseless, bringing an uncontrollable sweetness to her soul.

She decided to let bygones be bygones for the sake of the gifts, at least for now, and take good care of him.

Gifts in arms, she bounced back to the bedroom, all set to check if Remington’s fever had. broken, when rustling noises from the dressing room caught her ear.

A burglar? Not likely, with Oakridge Heights‘ tight security. Maybe Edith had found out Remington was sick?

Lizetta headed for the dressing room, snagging a feather duster off a low cabinet just in

case.

But what she saw inside was beyond her wildest It was Evelina.

guesses.

Drawer open, clutching a pair of men’s undies, she spun around at the sound. Their eyes. locked, and Evelina looked gobsmacked.

“What are you doing here, Sis? Remington told me you’d moved out and asked me to look after him. I’m so sorry; had I known you were coming back, I wouldn’t have intruded.”

Lizetta felt her blood run cold, her grip on the feather duster shaking.

Remington’s mistress had waltzed right in just like that. Catching her off guard, even as she was brimming with joy, like a bucket of ice water thrown on her scalding heart, ripping open a raw wound.

“How did you get in?!” She demanded.

Evelina smiled, “Well, someone gave me the code, of course. And to think it’s my birthday – that sure was a surprise.”

This was the home Lizetta and Remington shared after marriage, with a password set by him. Lizetta had always thought it was their birthdays and anniversary, but Evelina’s words made her realize it could just as well be Evelina’s birthday.

Lizetta felt like she was about to burst, her head buzzing.

But Evelina wasn’t done twisting the knife, “Oh, and Sis, Remington isn’t really into this brand of condoms – says they’re not thin enough for a good feel. But have you two always been using protection? You’ve got quite the stockpile.”

With that, Evelina fished a box from the drawer and waved it teasingly at Lizetta.