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.

and fallen leaves early on; the

the morning. After Lizetta had breakfast and was. about to head to Tempo Dance Studio,

and papers. You deliver them, and maybe give him a hand. I’ve got an art exhibition to attend and can’t make it, so you’ll have to accompany him for

stuff to

before she could

have, you big idler? Come on, Joseph is so fond of you. If you’re too heartless to care for him

car was ready, and Hanna hurried

tablet, and she went upstairs to print Joseph’s notes and papers.

that just as she entered the

April. April’s bag slipped off her shoulder, spilling contents

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Chapter 24

immediately saw the words “pregnancy test”

bent down, picked it up, and stared hard at the

Evelina, approximately 6 weeks

turned cold; it had been just over a month, around the time Remington was away on

Evelina said quickly, snatching the pregnancy test result

at her, her mind going blank, her

child

to put away, her expression one of tender sweetness, with the glow of impending motherhood.

this child. He even named the baby ‘Evangeline.‘ Sounds nice,

that was a gift for his

into his

iron stuck in her throat, her face deathly

Remi is a

contently, her left hand casually brushing the jade bracelet on her right wrist.

filling her chest with grit, pain

a single message was enough to send him out into the rainy night–it turned out

pregnant.

Dashiell family heirloom bracelet, accepting her as

too proud, still angry about something from four years