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 the world, smooth sailing

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

you’re a born dancer. The Dashiell family’s only cramping your style and soul, and Remington

pulled out a check from her bag, “Here’s 500 gránd, enough to set you up for studying abroad. Leave Zion

at the check handed to her, feeling neither moved nor anything

to leave was to clear the path for Evelina.

she got too little, she still remembered

even wake from nightmares calling out for her

selfish and Indifferent, let Hans abuse her and took her frustrations out on Lizetta with needles.

given her up; she was a child without a mother.

now, to step on

pregnant before marriage. Rather than worrying about my future, maybe you

cold, her expression

family and the Dashiell family discussed marriage, and Remington had agreed. If you hadn’t stepped in, Eve’s child would be born into their wedded bliss!”

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

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

her heart didn’t soften;

into Lizetta’s hand.

straight as

snap. “Ewan it Remington has to

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

of love for Evelina, plotting for her daughter,