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 been coddled and attentively groomed by Elara and Kevin. Had she been their own flesh and blood, she’d have been the luckiest little princess in

rekindle their broken mother–daughter bond. She

born dancer. The Dashiell family’s only cramping your style and soul,

bag, “Here’s 500 gránd, enough to set you

the check handed to her, feeling neither moved nor anything

knew Elara’s plea for her to leave was 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 when

even wake from nightmares calling

her and took her frustrations out on Lizetta with needles. Lizetta never saw Jolin as her mom; it was Elara she

Elara had long given her up; she was

back then, but now, to step on her for her

pregnant before marriage. Rather than worrying about my future, maybe you should focus more on teaching

face turned cold, her expression flitting with

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

clenched her fists, only knowing that four years ago everyone assumed Evelina and Remington were an item. But she didn’t know Remington had agreed to tie the knot.

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

into Lizetta’s hand.

back, her spine straight as it’s stepping aside,

to snap. “Ewan it Remington

years of care from

love for Evelina, plotting for