Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Chapter 104

Sure, she knew them, but they didn’t know her from a can of paint.

When Lizetta thought about Remington splashing out big bucks for Evelina’s music, she

didn’t feel it strange.

“Probably, yeah.”

“Pfft, with Evelina’s violin skills, trying to hit it big in the art scene is a dead end. No wonder she’s shelling out for tunes. She’s got her sights set on using her violinist gig as a stepping stone before diving headfirst into showbiz.”

Yolanda clicked her tongue, clearly unimpressed.

Lizetta kept mum. Remington was laying down the red carpet for Evelina, spoon–feeding her opportunities, even stooping to wine and dine with her. Talked about bending over backward.

Just thinking about Evelina’s Facebook post about changing the dressing made Lizetta wanna hurl.

When Remington’s gaze floated over, Lizetta quickly looked down, scalded the curry with hot water, and placed them in front of Yolanda and Hogan.

“Remi! Are you just gonna stand there and watch them pick on me?” Shirley whined for ages, but Remington didn’t even bat an eyelid, which really ticked her off.

Remington’s eyes were still on Lizetta, noticing how her smile vanished into thin air the moment she saw him, and how she fussed over some other dude.

The man’s handsome face turned a shade darker as he withdrew his gaze.

“What do you mean, ‘picking on you“?”

“I went over to say ‘hi‘ to Hogan and Lizetta, all excited, and her friend comes at me with water to throw in my face! Lizetta doesn’t even take my side and starts mocking me, saying I’m cheap.”

Shirley made up a sob story, looking all wronged.

Lizetta stood up and strutted over, chin up, her gaze at Remington dripping with sarcasm, “Remington, why are you hanging out with these two?”

Evelina’s eyes welled up, “Sis, are you mad?”

“Not at all,” Lizetta said, the picture of innocence.

“Then why’d you talk to Remington like that? You must’ve gotten it wrong.”

Shirley felt like she’d heard Lizetta’s words before. Realizing what was happening, she quickly tugged at Evelina.

Evelina turned, seeing Shirley looking all panicky. She was confused, but Shirley was mentally cursing her for being such a lousy wingman today.

Lizetta smirked, “You got it wrong. I was just saying ‘hi‘ to you guys, exactly like Ms. Shirley Dashiell did just now!

Evelina was mortified, and Shirley was on the verge of actual tears.

Remington cast a cold glance at her, “You call that a happy greeting?”

Shirley felt embarrassed and wronged. Evelina opened her mouth to defend her, but she was the one who had just accused Lizetta of having an attitude.

“Apologize!” Remington commanded Shirley coldly.

1/3

04:14

103

Lizetta scoffed and waved it off, “Forget it, it’s

turned to leave, but Remington grabbed her

said, his voice calm

looked up, eyes red,

whom?” Remington’s patience was wearing thin.

fall; this time her apology seemed a lot more genuine, at

sorry for disturbing your meal.”

go. Remington looked at Yolanda and Hogan, “Since we’ve bumped into each other, let’s all head

room.”

away, “No need, we’ve already

smile, “They can bring the dishes to the private room; come on sis, it’s been ages since we had a meal together after

tried to link arms with Lizetta, who dodged with a raised hand, fed up,

are

around Lizetta’s shoulders, “Ms. Hawthorne, you always have so much on your mind.

while Remington’s gaze lingered on Hogan

sat back down, and Yolanda gave her a

your acting’s not bad either;

“Shrew Shirley?”

nostrils in the air, stinking to high

“Hogan, you know Shirley?”

said, “Met a few

a huge crush on you, Dr. White,” Yolanda teased, her

“But I’ve already got someone I

2/3

04.145

Ms. Shirley Dashiell.”

gaze unintentionally fell on Lizetta, who caught the overly tender

from a notable family. But Lizetta hadn’t heard Hogan talk about it, nor had she seen him in the

was with are big names in the industry,” Yolanda mentioned, as she was from a film academy and, though she

way around

1

Yolanda, not wanting to make Lizetta

sooner than the food hit the table, Hogan’s phone buzzed. Picking

“What’s up, Hogan?”

to dash back for a ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery. Sorry, afraid I can’t give you a

Lizetta quickly waved him off, “Go!”

gave an apologetic smile and made a beeline

a doc is no cakewalk. Can’t even enjoy

she realized she was about to chow down on some sliced beef. Her utensil quivered, and the beef plunged back into her plate.

couldn’t help but snicker at

Hogan stepped out and paused in the courtyard, looking

suit stood at the window, the midday sun dancing across his sharp brow, not softening his

man green with

got the call from the hospital, he knew this wasn’t just a coincidence.

04:141

hand was all over it.