Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Lizzy had slipped across the border under a false identity, thinking that once the cops showed up, she'd be in a world of trouble. But somehow, Rem had handled it. The cops had only asked Lizzy a few simple questions before they left.

After a night of restless sleep, shaken by the encounter, Lizzy had quickly fallen into a deep slumber once the police were gone. When she next awoke, she sensed movement.

Opening her eyes, she was startled to find herself in Rem's arms, being carried out the door.

"Where are you taking me?" Lizzy looked around, bewildered.

Seeing her awake, Rem looked down and said, "Back to Zion City."

Lizzy was shocked, grabbing at the man's shirt collar, "You bastard, you promised you wouldn't force me!"

She kicked and pulled at his collar as if she wished she could strangle him.

Rem's eyes flashed with resignation, his lips pressed into a thin line, almost grinding his teeth as he spoke.

"I agreed to your condition," he said.

Lizzy blinked, surprised. "Really?"

She was a bit skeptical, feeling an odd mix of emotions.

Seeing her doubtful look, Rem scoffed, "You don't seem too happy about it. Having second thoughts?"

Lizzy immediately burst into a big, sarcastic smile. "I'm thrilled! I was just worried about someone making promises they couldn't keep."

Rem watched her relaxed smile, feeling a pang of pain. He wished he didn't have to let her go, especially with other men buzzing around her like flies. But he was out of options.

All his forceful tactics, he dared not use on her anymore.

He was afraid of pushing her further away.

And with Ralap still at large, Lizzy staying here was not safe.

"Don't worry, this time, I'll grant you your wish... consider it compensation for the wedding."

That disastrous marriage was his doing.

Perhaps ending it was the only way to break new ground.

Lizzy saw the resolution in his eyes; she could tell he was serious this time.

This marriage was truly over.

Her eyelashes fluttered as she looked down, slowly releasing her grip on Rem's collar, whispering, "So, after the flight, you'll come with me to the city hall?"

"Yeah."

Lizzy finally quieted down, letting Rem lift her into the car.

As the car slowly drove away, she watched the town recede through the window, her eyes filled with reluctance and longing. And Rem caught every expression.

His heart tightened, but then he remembered something.Material © NôvelDrama.Org.

"Why here?" he suddenly asked.

"Luminesia doesn't have any Dashiell family properties," Lizzy replied, her eyes gleaming.

"Lies," Rem said firmly, pausing

before continuing, "115 days of loving Rem, the Aurora Borealis... Today, read about the romantic legends of the aurora and thought about watching our own aurora together. It would be beautiful."

He was referring to a wish she had written in her diary.

Back when she penned those words, she was full of youthful dreams. But now, they only brought embarrassment.

Lizzy grabbed a pillow from beside

her and threw it at Rem, her eyes cold. "I tore up that diary. I wish 'd never written it. Can we not talk about this anymore?" S

Rem watched Lizzy's angry and disdainful face, his eyes deep with emotion.

"But Liz, we did watch the aurora together, and it was beautiful..."

Lizzy felt as if she had punched a soft spot, or perhaps breached a deeply sealed emotion.