Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Today, the reason it's me sitting across from you, and not Mia, is to leave Ms. Yolanda with a bit of dignity. Ms. Yolanda, I trust you'll appreciate the gesture and won't let me down." It's almost laughable, really. Cassius's mother sent her away without so much as a greeting card.

It wasn't that Mrs. Sterling was stingy; she simply thought Yolanda unworthy. For Mrs. Sterling to take the time to dismiss her in person was, in her view, the highest form of respect. In that moment, Yolanda saw Cassius's face merge with Mrs. Sterling's in her mind's eye.

She blinked, offering Cassius a mocking smile.

"Don't forget, Mr. Sterling, I traded my first time for this leading role audition. My worth is genuine. If you can't handle that, were you hoping to back out?"

Cassius's handsome face darkened instantly, his grip on Yolanda's chin tight enough to crush.

Yolanda bit back her words, and after a moment, Cassius let her go.

The man zipped up his jeans, picked up his shirt, and before leaving, pulled out a wad of cash from his wallet and threw it at Yolanda's face.

"This body of yours, I'm sick of it. Here's the money for your surgery. Find a decent clinic. Maybe next time, you'll fool someone else into giving you a leading role."

The money hit Yolanda's face, scattering at her feet, with a couple of bills sticking to her chest.

Yolanda looked down, picked up the money, and flashed a bright smile, "Thanks, Movie Star Cassius."

The response was the sound of a slamming door and the silence that followed.

Cassius stormed into the elevator, his phone ringing suddenly.

Was that foolish woman regretting her words now?

frown deepened when he saw

Remington was waiting for his

Yolanda, who knew if that

end, Cassius answered the call with a

send her the photo? What did

did, but Yolanda, being the clever fool she is, suspected the photo was Photoshopped by you, Remi.

other end, Remington's handsome face

realized they were talking about two different

pause,

think the

it to Lizetta yet." Cassius suddenly felt

was silent again, then scoffed, making no effort to hide his

"You're useless!"

task, sending a photo to his woman, and

even manage that. Remingtouldn

hadn't expected such incompetence.

Cassius, "..."

about how he had lost his golden opportunity for

any consolation, but he also had the nerve to

fit of irritated