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.

back for it, stumbling and running

reflected her pale face, the only sounds

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

eyes, tears squeezing

next moment,

in a man's arms, both

me!

face, her cries sharp as the gun in her hand struck his forehead. The man grunted, loosening his

scrambled up, staggering back, trembling as she

any

little to deter him. He stepped closer, taking her shaking, cold

afraid, shoot

was steady and warm, firm as he guided the gun against him, as if entrusting his life to her finger, unconcerned with

seemed to have

fear subsided, her heartbeat still