Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Chapter 59

Three days whizzed by, and Lizetta was preoccupied with dance rehearsals. and choreography, preparation for auditions, and side gigs here and there, leaving her to crash into bed for merely five or six hours a day.

That noon, after checking in on Thaddeus, she was stopped by Tina as she left the hospital.

Tina had come to drop off an invitation and a gown for the evening’s

–

shindig a farewell dinner the Hawthorne family was throwing for Evelina.

“This gown was a treasured piece from the old lady’s collection. If she were still with us, she would have been delighted to see you wear it,” Tina said, and Lizetta, running her fingers over the gown, looked wistful, filled with longing and memories.

Rachel had a soft spot for Lizetta. When she passed away, Lizetta was still the Hawthorne family’s golden girl, and that made Rachel the most loving granny

in her heart.

Lizetta agreed, but upon entering the venue in that gown that evening, she could tell something was off.

She had unwittingly chosen a dress identical to that of the evening’s main character, Evelina.

Evelina wore a dark green, V–neck, velvet mermaid dress that accentuated her slim figure, complemented with a ruby necklace that radiated grace and elegance.

Lizetta’s gown, while identical in material and color, featured an intricate ruffled neckline, which seemed overly cumbersome.

and beauty were evident, and the gown did not look bad on her. But next to Evelina, her dress–from style to taste–seemed hopelessly outdated.

Some kind of ancient

a faux heiress. Even after

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Chapter 59

doesn’t become a phoenix.”

like she’s trying to embarrass

the place was buzzing

sauntered over to Lizetta,

you here? Ah, my bad–I’m thrilled you could

paying attention to the exchange, and Evelina’s words only made them look down

it turned out she hadn’t even been invited–how shameless she

commotion too and was about to butt in when the entrance stirred up

it’s Mr. Dashiell! Mr. Dashiell actually showed up–guess

Hawthorne are just perfect for each other–such a match made in

murmuring surged once

not of the same social class; there was quite a

here

a tall, dapper man in a sharp, dark grey suit approach, while Evelina had already let

been waiting for you

blue, all the lights went out, and a spotlight hit Evelina and the

Chapter 59