Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Then, there was the sound of a scuffle, punctuated by the chilling whispers of a silenced gun.

Lizetta knew that was Dora, buying her time to escape. She didn't dare look back.

She slipped through a hidden door, quickly scrambling down a narrow path behind the house, running towards the northern woods as Dora had instructed. Dora said someone would meet her there, and Lizetta believed her.

Clutching her belly with both hands, her head bowed, lips bitten, she sprinted towards the woods, her heart filled with terror and concern.

She wondered if Dora could handle those men. What if something happened to her?

And she was terrified for her unborn child's safety.

These men couldn't be from the Remingtons; their silent approach meant ill intentions.

If they were from the West family, did they want the baby's life, or hers as well?

The cold wind blew, causing Lizetta's ill-fitted hat to fall off.

stumbling and running faster, her hair

reflected her pale face, the only sounds her frantic footsteps

over something, tumbling forward with a short, suppressed cry of alarm, fearful of attracting the

her lip, she closed her eyes, tears squeezing out, bracing for

next moment,

herself in a man's arms, both

me! Ah! Get

she could make out his face, her cries sharp as the gun in

staggering back, trembling as she raised the gun

any closer, I'll

shaking, cold hand,

afraid, shoot

hand covering hers was steady and warm, firm as he guided the gun against him, as if entrusting his

to have

fear subsided, her heartbeat still thunderous as she