Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

"Mr. Dashiell must really love you to think so considerately for you, Mrs. Dashiell."

"Yeah, I've been working here for years now, and it's the first time I've seen a groom consider the warmth of the wedding dress. Quite unique."

In the changing room, two clerks were assisting Lizetta with her wedding dress, their expressions full of envy.

Lizetta smiled, a bit embarrassed by their teasing. She touched her belly and said, "He's just used to taking care of me. Being pregnant, getting sick would be troublesome, so he tends to go overboard." She remembered back when she was young, how the girls in her class refused to wear thermal leggings under their school uniforms in spring and autumn, not wanting to look bulky.

She had followed suit, only to be scolded by Remington, "I can't control what others do, but Liz, you have to wear thermal leggings in spring and autumn!"

Back then, the teenage him took charge of her diet, studies, curfew - he was quite strict. After they got married, she felt he had changed, become indifferent, not caring about her.

But now, Lizetta realized, he might have always been there. It was just that too many misunderstandings and the sudden change in their relationship made it hard for them to know how to act around each other.

"It's not uncommon these days for couples to get married because of a baby on the way, but none are as thoughtful and caring as Mr. Dashiell. We see hundreds of couples here, and you can instantly tell when someone truly loves their partner. Mr. Dashiell is head over heels for you!"

"Absolutely, Mrs. Dashiell, don't be so modest. With your beauty, it would be hard for Mr. Dashiell not to love you!"

The clerks sweet-talked Lizetta, continuing their playful tease. Lizetta felt as if she was being brainwashed by their words, almost starting to believe them, feeling light and buoyant. When she stepped out of the changing room, her heart was racing.

A clerk pulled back the curtain. Lizetta's gaze immediately found the man sitting by the piano near the floor-to-ceiling window. He seemed bored, lazily pressing the black and white keys. Sunlight bathed him, and the man's eyes were downcast, his side profile more tender than usual. He was playing "Canon in D", the notes joyously hopping under his slender fingers. The melody was joyful yet tinged with a trace of sadness, perfectly capturing Lizetta's current emotions.

It felt like she was truly stepping into the wedding of her dreams - so full of happiness and joy, yet marked by a bittersweet wait.

So much so that when he turned to look at her, Lizetta's breath hitched. Her cheeks flushed, a mix of nervous excitement, unsure where to place her hands or feet.

She thought, maybe the clerks were wrong. It was she who deeply, desperately loved Remington.

And as Remington's gaze fell on Lizetta, his eyes heated with intensity, as if tangible. His fingers stumbled over the keys, creating a jarring note, abruptly stopping the music.

Remington simply withdrew his hand and stood up. He walked towards Lizetta under the sunlight until he was standing before her, looking down into her eyes, and she finally let out a breath, asking. "Is it weird? Why aren't you saying anything?" Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

As she looked down to check her dress again, Remington suddenly reached out and lifted her chin.

Their eyes met, and he leaned closer, "Not weird, you look stunning."

The kind of stunning that could make any man pause. Lizetta hadn't expected such a straightforward compliment, her cheeks reddening even more.

Since having Joy, she hadn't worn makeup. These past few days, after having amniotic fluid tests, her complexion was particularly pale, but now, her cheeks were rosy, her eyes sparkling with emotion. Remington couldn't resist; he leaned in to kiss her softly, tenderly, their lips melding in a gentle caress.