Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Chapter 42

Evelina clambered off the couch, green with envy, and took a few swings at it with her clanched fists.

Lizetta had rolled up in Yolanda’s second–hand Chevy, and when Remington dashed out of the villa, all he caught was the tall lights cutting a swath through the yard as the car sped off.

He was sweating buckets from the fever, and a shiver ran through him as the cold wind hit.

“Boss! What the heck’s going on? Let me help you inside.”

Cedric came running over; his car was parked in the shadows outside the villa. Seeing Lizetta arrive, he was put at ease.

He set an alarm to remind him in an hour – if Lizetta was still there by then, he could call it a night with mission accomplished.

But who would’ve thought, just by snoozing a bit, it seemed like he missed the main event? Seeing the boss, in pajamas, one slipper missing and a thunderous look on his face, Cedric was shook.

He’d been with Remington for eight years and had never seen him in such a sorry state. Cedric used to think that if the sky fell, Mr. Dashiell would hold it up with his mouth, never losing his cool.

Remington’s eyes were icy as he glared at Cedric, “How did Evelina get here?”

Remington’s glare. A cold

inside, slipping on his missing shoe with a poker face a few steps away, his silhouette stern as he entered the villa and instructed Cedric.

her

was still pale and listless on the couch. Upon seeing Remington enter without Lizetta behind him, Evelina breathed a sigh of relief, her voice laced with

her? Do I need to help with anything?”

a knot in her stomach. Remington’s handsome face was back to its usual calm

sharply; this mess was only

asked, “Who let you in, and how did you get here?”

wanted to check on you. The door was open when I got here. I’m

she revealed more of the scratch marks on her arms and under her clothes – a shocking array of blues

in pain, her hands trembling

and said firmly, “Don’t bother! And the injury on my arm wasn’t from defending you. Don’t come here again; it’s not some

Remington, who detachedly averted his gaze and ordered, “Cedric, help Ms. Hawthorne downstairs to

minding Evelina’s reaction, and dragged her off the couch and out. Remington picked up his phone and headed to the study. When he called Lizetta,

the divorce papers? I can’t wait another day! This clingy, dragging–it–out act isn’t like you. If it weren’t for Evelina jumping around in front of me all the time, I’d think you were head over

the other end of the phone. If it weren’t for the sound like knuckles cracking,