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.

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

here to rekindle their broken mother–daughter bond. She asked outright, “Mrs. Hawthorne, you came to me for

born dancer. The Dashiell family’s only cramping your style and soul, and Remington doesn’t love you./I hope you

enough to set you up for studying abroad. Leave Zion City, will

the check handed to her, feeling neither

plea for her to leave was to clear the

to heart from those who ditched her, maybe the love she got too little, she still remembered the affection from her

she’d even wake from nightmares calling out for her mom.

Lizetta with needles. Lizetta never saw

long given her up; she

for being abandoned back then, but now, to step on her for her own daughter, to expect gratitude was

Rather than worrying about my future, maybe you should focus more on teaching your

cold, her expression

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

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

years ago. Now that Eve’s pregnant, it’s time for you to

peace, Elara frowned but her heart didn’t soften;

into Lizetta’s hand.

stepped back, her spine straight as

it Remington has

sighed, “Liz, consider it paying back the six years of care from me and

face was full of love for Evelina, plotting for her