Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Handwriting was connected to their strain, which, slanted to the left, was a sign, some said, of someone who was emotionally repressed, sensitive, and cautious.

Back in the day, Lizetta's slant was even more pronounced, and Remington had put in quite the effort to help her correct it. It had improved significantly, but if one looked closely, the lean was still there. "Boss, do you want me to check out this letter?"

That was when Cedric walked in. Seeing Remington still holding the letter, he offered to help. But Remington simply pressed the letter into a journal and slid it back into the drawer, his voice deep and firm. "No need. Get a forged handwriting certification ready in a couple of days."

Cedric was momentarily taken aback but didn't press further, simply responding, "Sure thing, boss."

"Ah! Remi! Remington!"

Early in the morning, as Remington was choosing a watch in his walk-in closet, Lizetta's familiar voice suddenly echoed from the bathroom.

Remington's hand twitched, and the Patek Philippe he had just picked up dropped to the floor, its face cracking.

But the watch's owner didn't spare it another glance, his figure already dashing out of the closet and into the bathroom.

"Liz!"

He burst into the bathroom, scooping Lizetta up from in front of the sink and quickly carrying her back to the bed.

"What's wrong? Stomach ache?" He asked anxiously.

Lizetta froze, realizing he had misunderstood her. She sheepishly stuck out her tongue, "No, it's just I noticed Joy's grown so much! My belly's sticking out now!" Lizetta's physique meant her pregnancy hadn't been as noticeable as others at first.

She had only felt her waist thickening, but her belly hadn't been prominent. Today, looking in the mirror, she suddenly saw from the side that her belly had a small but definite curve. Joy was growing. She said, pulling Remington's hand to her slightly protruding belly. Remington, still startled, had his heart racing.

With a hint of resignation in his eyes, he gently rubbed her now slightly rounded abdomen.

"Joy gave mommy a scare, and mommy gave daddy a scare. Not very nice."

Lizetta blinked, "Why?"

Remington lightly flicked Lizetta's nose, "Looks like I'm becoming the bottom of the family 'food chain'."

Lizetta paused, and then burst into laughter, wrapping her arms around Remington's neck and saying, "Mr. Dashiell, it's good to be aware of that. Encouragement deserved."

She leaned in, kissing his lips, and was immediately met with a passionate response. When he let her go, she rested on his shoulder, breathing softly, a bit sullenly saying.

"Our wedding is the day after tomorrow. Why did my belly decide to show now? I wonder if the wedding dress will still fit. By the way, Sophia's supposed to bring over the dress tonight, and you haven't even tried on your suit yet. Remember to come home early today."

Half a month passed, and the wedding day approached.

Lizetta had been busy juggling rehearsals with the dance troupe and wedding preparations. It was a hectic but happy time for her.

But as the day got closer, the surreal feeling of it all being almost too good to be true started creeping in, perhaps a case of premarital syndrome others talked about.

Remington, on the other hand, seemed to be swamped with work, having not even found the time to try on his wedding suit yet.

"Alright, your call."

Remington complied, kissing Lizetta's rosy lips once more before letting her go.

By the afternoon, Lizetta had left the dance troupe early to return home. Sure enough, Sophia and a few clerks had brought over the wedding dress and suit. It was only during this final fitting that the reality of her upcoming wedding to Remi truly hit Lizetta.

"When will Mr. Dashiell be back? Even though we've tailored it to his measurements, it's best if he tries it on sooner rather than later, in case any adjustments are needed."

Sophia was adjusting Lizetta's dress, looking up to ask.

Lizetta nodded, "He said he'd be back early, probably on his way now. Let me just call him."

Grabbing her phone, Lizetta quickly got through to Remington, her eyes lighting up at the sound of his familiar, magnetic voice.

"Honey, are you almost home?" Text © owned by NôvelDrama.Org.

On the other end, Remington didn't answer right away, a moment of silence passing. Lizetta sensed something was amiss, her smile fading, "Is something wrong?"