Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Sophia had been hanging out with Lizetta quite a bit lately, and they hit it off pretty well. Lizetta even invited Sophia to her wedding.

Feeling a bit worried, Sophia decided to check in with Cassius to see if he knew what was up.

Cassius was lounging in an SUV, getting a touch-up from his makeup artist, when he casually said, "The Starlight Group isn't some backyard operation; they're not about to make a big mistake. Isn't Remi getting hitched soon? Whatever you've heard must be some baseless rumor."

"I wish it were just a rumor, but I literally just overheard Mr. Dashiell calling Lizetta. Brides tend to get super jittery right before the wedding, all scared of tying the knot and whatnot. This is when they really need their other half to step up, provide that sense of security, and patiently be there for them. It'll make the girls fearless, and start the marital life at ease."

"I'm all for staying single, and the thought of marriage freaks me out, so you're barking up the wrong tree here."

"I just think Lizetta's not in a great place emotionally. Aren't you and Mr. Dashiell friends? Maybe give him a nudge, remind him that his wife should come before business, no?"

After Sophia hung up, Yolanda's frustrated voice filled the SUV, "I knew that badass Remington wouldn't just behave! Call him up, ask what the hell he's planning to do?!"

Cassius was getting his makeup done, and just now it was Yolanda who helped to hold the phone near his ear.

Yolanda, frantic with worry, didn't play nice. After her rant, she called Remington and pressed the phone back to Cassius' ear with force.

He felt as if half of his head was numbed. Cassius couldn't understand why he'd be punished for Remington's lousy antics.

"It's off."

The call didn't go through.

Annoyed, Yolanda threw the phone at Cassius and dashed out of the SUV to call Lizetta. She was worried that Remington might be getting cold feet.

"Yoli, he said he'd be back before the wedding; don't worry," Lizetta's voice was still cheerful while the call got through.

It seemed Lizetta was in good spirits. But Yolanda knew her; Lizetta was the type to bottle up her feelings.

Still worried, she said, "I'm gonna take some time off from the crew. I'll stay with you until your wedding day."

With Remington missing right before the wedding, she was all the family Liz had, and she was determined to be there for her.

"Okay."

Hearing Lizetta agree so readily weighed heavily on Yolanda's heart.

Lizetta was never one to trouble others, even her. That single word of agreement revealed Lizetta's hidden fears and vulnerability to Yolanda.

Remington had promised he'd be back before the wedding and asked her to wait for him; Lizetta chose to believe him.

Yet, days passed with no sign of him, and he didn't pick up the phone either. He had assured her he'd return at least by the eve of their wedding, but he didn't.

At night, Lizetta stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, phone in hand, her figure solitary against the dim glow of the courtyard, her gaze distant.

Yolanda walked in with a mug of warm milk, finding the room pitch dark, "Why didn't you turn on the light?"

She flicked on the switch, making her way to Lizetta, who turned with a start, forcing a smile, "Oh, it's dark already? Yoli, I forgot to turn it on."

Seeing her like this, Yolanda felt a pang of pain, cursing Remington for the umpteenth time in her heart.

She approached, setting the milk aside to hold Lizetta's icy hands, “Liz, stop waiting. Let's call off the wedding."

Remington wasn't worth it. He had no idea what he was missing, a girl who loved him with all her heart, willing to wait for him forever. Exclusive content from NôvelDrama.Org.

But in this world, not everyone was willing to stay put indefinitely.