Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Chapter 24

In bed, Lizetta opened her eyes, gazing into the void outside the window.

In fact, she had squinted just a moment ago and seen it was a message from Evelina’s agent, April

She didn’t try to make him stay, knowing it was futile.

She had tried before; the scars on her feet hadn’t even healed yet, so why bring shame upon herself again?

Downstairs, the roar of a car sounded. Lizetta flipped off the covers and climbed out of bed, walking to the window.

The rain that had been holding back all night now poured down in torrents, and a black sedan sliced through the mist and vanished up the mountain road.

That was the romantic rush of the man she loved towards another woman.

Liar.

He tricked her into believing he was there when he was not.

Lizetta turned and went to the dance studio, which Remington had personally prepared for her when she was a child, complete with the best soundproofing equipment.

She chose a powerful song, violently ripping her skirt and collar as she spun wildly.

She danced with wild abandon. After taking a shower, she climbed back into bed. Though her body was exhausted, she still tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

The bed was imbued with the scent of a man, making her restless.

Lizetta picked up her phone, it was past 2 a.m.

Her stomach churned; the bitter taste of medicine stirred up again.

Why should she feel this miserable, while that dog of a man was out meeting his mistress, living it up?

Lizetta opened her search engine, typed in “infertility,” used Remington’s phone number to leave messages asking for advice, and finally curled up with a blanket on the sofa and fell asleep.

The next morning, the storm had stopped, the wind and rain had ceased.

servants had cleared the yard of broken branches and fallen leaves early on; the storm had

breakfast and was. about to head to Tempo

papers. You deliver them, and maybe give him a hand. I’ve got an art exhibition to attend and

to do today.”

before she could finish

could you possibly have, you big idler? Come on, Joseph is so fond of you. If you’re too heartless to care for him when he’s sick, fine, but you can’t even do this small favor? Who do you think you’re

driver came in to say the car was

handed Lizetta the tablet, and she went upstairs to print

as she entered the hospital building, she would run

April’s bag slipped off her shoulder, spilling contents everywhere, and a document fluttered down near

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Chapter 24

down and immediately saw the words “pregnancy test” on the paper.

down, picked it up, and stared hard at the

6

had been just over a

back to me,” Evelina said quickly, snatching the pregnancy test result from her.

just stared at her, her mind going blank, her lips trembling,

child

put away, her expression

even named the baby ‘Evangeline.‘ Sounds nice, doesn’t

a gift for

as in Evelina’s fallen right into his

of iron

force a marriage by pregnancy. I know Remi is a responsible

her left hand casually brushing

sliced through her, filling her chest with grit,

wonder a single message was enough to send him

pregnant.

heirloom bracelet, accepting her as

something from four