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

gone out to meet friends early in the morning. After Lizetta had breakfast and was. about to

notes and papers. You deliver them, and maybe give him a hand. I’ve got

to do

before she could finish as Hanna

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

to say the car was ready, and

she went upstairs to print Joseph’s

as she entered the hospital building,

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

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Chapter 24

immediately saw the words “pregnancy test” on

down, picked it up, and stared hard at

6 weeks

had been just over a month, around the time Remington was away

back to me,” Evelina said quickly, snatching the

mind going blank, her lips

child Remington’s?”

handed the test back to April to put away, her expression one

is really fond of this child. He even named the baby

that was a gift for his and Evelina’s

as in Evelina’s fallen right into

had a lump of iron stuck in

type to force a marriage by pregnancy. I know Remi is a responsible man. I’m not greedy;

hand casually brushing the jade bracelet on her right wrist.

sliced through her, filling her chest with grit, pain

was enough to send him out into the rainy

pregnant.

given Evelina the Dashiell family heirloom bracelet, accepting

Evelina too proud, still angry about something from four years ago? Were they