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 early

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

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

got stuff to do today.”

she could finish as Hanna impatiently interrupted.

If you’re too heartless to care

in to say the car

maid handed Lizetta the tablet, and she went upstairs to print Joseph’s

expect that just as she entered the hospital building, she would

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

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Chapter 24

and immediately saw the words “pregnancy test” on

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

6 weeks pregnant.

over a month, around the time Remington was away on

back to me,” Evelina said quickly,

her, her mind going blank,

child Remington’s?”

expression one of tender sweetness, with

even named the baby ‘Evangeline.‘ Sounds nice,

a gift for his

into his heart? How

a lump of iron stuck in her throat, her face

the type to force a marriage by pregnancy. I know Remi is a

brushing the jade bracelet on her

blade had sliced through her, filling her chest with grit, pain making it hard to maintain any

send him out into the rainy night–it turned

pregnant.

bracelet, accepting her as his

about something from four