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.

the yard of broken branches and fallen leaves

in the morning. After Lizetta had breakfast and was.

I’ve got an art exhibition to attend and can’t make it, so

got stuff to do

she could finish

important thing 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

car was ready, and Hanna hurried

went upstairs to print Joseph’s notes

not expect that just as she entered the hospital building, she would run into

shoulder, spilling contents everywhere, and a

1/3

23 29

Chapter 24

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

it up, and stared hard at the name

approximately 6

turned cold; it had been just over a month, around the time

Evelina said quickly, snatching the pregnancy test result from

going blank,

the child

test back to April to put away, her expression one of tender sweetness, with the glow

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

for his and Evelina’s child.

Evelina’s fallen right into

of iron stuck in her throat, her

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

her left hand casually brushing the jade bracelet on her right

her, filling her chest with grit, pain making it hard to maintain any facade of composure.

him out into the rainy night–it turned

pregnant.

the Dashiell family heirloom bracelet, accepting her as his wife

proud, still angry about something from