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.

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off, “Forget it, it’s more than you can handle. Just don’t disturb our meal,

leave, but

his voice calm

looked up, eyes

whom?” Remington’s patience was wearing thin.

her apology seemed a lot more

I’m sorry for disturbing your

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

room.”

away, “No need,

on sis, it’s been ages

arms with Lizetta, who dodged with

are you still mad at me?”

put her arm around Lizetta’s shoulders, “Ms. Hawthorne, you always have so much on your mind. I get social anxiety, I get indigestion around strangers, and of course, Liz needs to

Remington’s gaze lingered on Hogan for

back down, and Yolanda gave her a thumbs

acting’s not bad either; you nailed that Shrew Shirley!”

“Shrew Shirley?”

with nostrils in the air, stinking to high heaven, and

turned to Hogan, “Hogan,

a

a huge crush on you,

got someone I have a crush on, and it’s

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Ms. Shirley Dashiell.”

who caught the overly tender look behind

nose in the air, and Hogan was clearly from a notable family. But Lizetta hadn’t heard Hogan talk about it, nor had she seen him in the usual circles; she always

into showbiz? The folks she was with are big names in the industry,” Yolanda mentioned, as she was from a film academy and, though she hadn’t landed a role yet, she’d been on movie sets

way around

1

not wanting to make Lizetta feel awkward, dropped the subject.

food hit the table, Hogan’s phone buzzed. Picking up, he frowned after

“What’s up, Hogan?”

emergency. I need to dash back for a ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery.

up, and Lizetta quickly waved him off, “Go!”

made a beeline for the exit.

cakewalk. Can’t even enjoy

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

but snicker at

and paused in the courtyard, looking up

autumn hues, the carved windows open to the east, a man in a black suit stood at the window, the midday sun dancing across his sharp brow, not

man green

Hogan got the call from the hospital, he

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was all over