Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Chapter 37

It was Evelina’s mom, Elara.

Lizetta steadied her breath, slowly stood up, and called out.

“Mrs. Hawthorne.”

Elara gave her a nod, walked over, picked up a towel from the front row of seats, and handed it to Lizetta.

“Thanks.”

Lizetta took it, wiping the sweat and tears from her face, turning slightly to avoid showing Elara her disheveled state.

“Liz, I wanna have a chat with you.”

Elara spoke up, and Lizetta turned around, having a hunch why she was there. Lizetta nodded and replied, “I’ll just change some clothes and be right back.”

Elara nodded, “Go ahead.”

Lizetta took a quick shower, got changed, and came back to the venue. Elara was still in front of the stage. Lizetta walked over.

Elara didn’t turn around, staring at the stage and said, “You remember, right? You snagged your first dance competition gold medal on this stage when you were just five. You were so tiny but already rock–solid, blew everyone away. I was so proud.”

Back then, Lizetta was the little princess of the Hawthorne family, everyone said she was a chip off the old block but surpassed her parents; Elara had her successor, and Elara herself was excited to tears.

Had she been their own flesh and blood, she’d have

Elara wasn’t here to rekindle their broken mother–daughter bond. She asked outright, “Mrs. Hawthorne, you came to

soul,

“Here’s 500 gránd, enough to set you up for

her, feeling neither moved

to clear the path for Evelina.

shouldn’t take it to heart from those who ditched her, maybe the love she got too little, she still remembered the affection from her parents

she’d even wake from nightmares calling out for her

selfish and Indifferent, let Hans abuse her and took her frustrations out on Lizetta with needles. Lizetta never saw Jolin as her mom; it was Elara she

she was

Lizetta held no grudges for being abandoned back then, but now, to step on her for her

my future, maybe you should focus more on teaching your own daughter, Mrs.

face turned cold, her expression

getting pregnant means a guy wanted her to. Four years ago, the Hawthorne family and the Dashiell family discussed marriage, and Remington had agreed. If you hadn’t stepped in, Eve’s child would be

knowing that four years ago everyone assumed Evelina and Remington were an item. But she didn’t know Remington had agreed to tie

Eve from childhood; you stole her marriage four years ago. Now that Eve’s pregnant, it’s time for you to step

Lizetta’s peace, Elara frowned but her heart didn’t soften; she stuffed the check

into Lizetta’s hand.

spine straight

“Ewan it Remington has to tell

of care from me and

for Evelina, plotting for her daughter, but carelessly stabbing at