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?”

Ms. Hawthorne came?” Before Cedric could finish, he was sliced by Remington’s glare. A cold

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

ambulance; get her out of here.”

the bedroom, Evelina was still pale and listless on the couch. Upon seeing Remington enter without Lizetta behind him, Evelina

did you explain everything to her? Do

her stomach. Remington’s handsome face was back to its

cut Evelina off sharply; this mess was only getting messier.

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

sent me. Remington, you got hurt because of me. I was worried and wanted to check on you. The door was open when I got here. I’m sorry, Remington. I had no idea Lizetta was here. If I had known, I definitely wouldn’t have come! I’ll call her

phone, but in doing so, she revealed more of the scratch marks on her arms and under her clothes – a shocking array

pain, her hands trembling as

was carrying, so he softened his voice and said firmly, “Don’t bother! And

ordered, “Cedric, help Ms. Hawthorne downstairs to wait for the

phone and headed to the study. When

in, she said with a sneer, “Remington, when the hell are you going to sign 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

end of the phone. If it weren’t for the sound