Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Chapter 38

Lizetta was already on the brink of divorce, and now someone was throwing cash her way. There was no way she’d say no to that.

The moment Lizetta pocketed the dough, whether she went through with the divorce or not, Remington couldn’t stand having wool pulled over his eyes. It was like she was planting a thorn right in his heart.

Elara shook her head, “Let’s talk back in the car.”

Evelina’s heart sank in an instant. She thought that with Lizetta’s soft spot for Elara, the old “motherly love” card, there was no way Lizetta could turn her down.

What an ungrateful snake! As the car started moving, Evelina’s tears started flowing like a waterfall, and she threw herself into Elara’s arms.

“Mom, I don’t care that Lizetta got mad, slapped me, all of that jazz. But my belly’s getting bigger by the day, and Remington, still hung up on Fiona, won’t get a divorce.

How can I bear to have my child be the talk of the town? I had a rough enough childhood; I don’t want my baby to be born into this cruel world.”

Elara’s heart was shattered, and she patted Evelina trying to comfort her, “Don’t you worry I’m gonna make sure you get what you want.”

After she sent Evelina to her hospital room and made sure she was asleep, Elara stepped out and made a call, her voice light, “Fancy grabbing a coffee when you’re free?”

Night fell.

Fresh out of the shower, Lizetta counted her stash of cash again, furrowing her brow. As hard as she was hustling, saving money for regular folks was like watching paint dry. She was always spending more than she was saving.

thought Mrs. Dashiell would be scraping by like this?

in the dumps, thinking, actually trading in

was about to hit the hay after tidying up

had already knocked out, and Lizetta, not wanting to wake her, quickly answered the phone and headed to the

might have an infected wound and seems to be running a fever. I’m sent out of town and can’t make it back. Could you please rush over

It was Cedric,

Edith? She’ll take care of him.”

reach Edith by phone. Mrs. Dashiell, please, go check on him. Nobody’s answering his cell either; he might have passed

voice was filled with urgency, and Lizetta started to worry too. She tried calling Edith and Remington, but no dice, no

and dashed to Oakridge Heights. As she stepped into the foyer, the villa was pitch black, not

the wrong address, that Remington wasn’t even here.

open the bedroom door, and there was a nightlight on. Remington was propped up against the headboard, eyes

or not.

hurried over. The moment her hand touched

then she saw his eyes were still tightly shut, his handsome face slightly flushed, breathing a bit labored clearly, he

anyone touch him even in his sleep, huh? Lizetta chuckled to

face with her other hand.

of her hand comforted him, Remington nuzzled into her palm and mumbled,

then she remembered Elara’s words about it taking two to tango, and she was tempted to slap him

leaned in closer, her voice soft, “It’s mom, sweetie. Say ‘mom‘, and I’ll go