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.

and running faster, her hair cold

reflected her pale face, the only sounds her frantic footsteps and heavy

with a short, suppressed cry of alarm,

eyes, tears squeezing

next moment, a

falling into the snow, Lizetta found herself in a man's arms, both of them

of me! Ah!

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

up, staggering back, trembling as she raised

come any closer, I'll

him. He stepped closer, taking her shaking, cold

afraid,

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

to

fear subsided, her heartbeat still thunderous as she lifted