Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Chapter 11

Lizetta wrapped up her side gig at the dance training center as the evening crept in. She’d been shaking it as a dance instructor at this joint for a year now, teaching adult modern dance on evenings and weekends.

Today, the manager roped her in last minute to cover for a kids‘ class, and boy, was she a hit! With solid skills plus being easy on the eyes and super patient, the kiddos totally dug her, and the feedback was off the charts. She stepped out of the locker room, and the manager handed her an envelope with money in it, “Lizetta, you were a real lifesaver today. How about jumping ship to the kids‘ crew? We’ll bump your hourly rate by a bill.”

Lizetta’s eyes sparkled, “Count me in. I’m free as a bird these days.”

After leaving the center, Lizetta hopped in a cab to the hospital. Hanna’s words from last night had rattled her, and she’d been stewing about Joseph ever since.

When she got to his room, the help was fussing over Joseph trying to feed him, but the tyke was having none of it.

He was the Dashiell family’s little tyrant, and the servant didn’t stand a chance. Spotting Lizetta, they bolted, relieved.

“You heartbreaker! Why’d it take you ages to come see me?”

Lizetta sauntered over, “Here I am now; eat up.”

“How come you didn’t come with my brother? Did he give you grief again? Liz, you’re such a knockout. Dump him and find someone who’s attentive. Or hey, wait for me to grow up; that works too.”

Lizetta couldn’t help but chuckle. The kid was barely out of short pants and he was talking about being attentive?

But she played along with a nod, “Yeah, that’s the plan.”

Before she knew it, Joseph fished out a phone from under the covers and hollered into it, “Remington, you hear that? Liz is over you!”

Joseph hung up, grinning at Lizetta, “If you’re ticked off, he’s gotta know. You can’t bottle it up; that way, he can come and sweet–talk you.”

you, all wise beyond your years,” Lizetta gave the boy’s head a gentle smack.

Remington would ever

Us grade–schoolers know all about romance.”

puppy love, and it’s a no–go. You’re not allowed!”

at school

if you’re not a snot–nosed kid yourself.”

“I’m not.”

uncontrollable fart. Lizetta just shook her head,

himself under the covers in a huff, and Lizetta went to pull the blanket back, “You’re not actually enjoying the smell, aren’t you? Come on, lift it up.”

kids, Joseph was the baby and way younger than the rest. He’d always been super clingy with Lizetta; they were tight like

around under the covers, and then popped his

brother give you the jade

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Chapter 11

froze, and then swiftly changed the

got a fever today?” She reached out to check his

grabbed Lizetta’s hand

come it’s not there? I’m gonna

when Lizetta felt a

door, “What are you

see Remington striding in. He was talking to Joseph, but his deep eyes were