Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Yolanda watched Cassius, who looked so fragile he could hardly stand, feeling a mix of guilt and anxiety twist inside her.

Did she actually mess him up this bad?

If that were the case, the Sterling family would surely come after her, pitchforks and all.

Panic pricked at her, and she decided it was time to stop pointing fingers. She reached out to help Cassius up.

He tried to support himself, releasing the hand that was clutching his groin, struggling mightily.

In her distress, Yolanda bent down, and to her surprise, managed to lift Cassius off the ground.

For the first time in his life, Cassius found himself being carried like a princess, and by none other than a woman who barely stood 5'3", with arms and legs that looked like twigs.

He was so stunned that he instinctively clung to Yolanda's shoulders.

"Yolanda, are you even a woman? Put me down, for Pete's sake!"

They were close to the bed, so Yolanda, without another thought, tossed the refined Mr. Sterling onto it.

"Ow! Yolanda!"

Cassius lay there, feeling like he'd lost all his dignity in one day.

He gritted his teeth, his jawline looking even sharper, his gaze cutting like a blade.

His face always had a bit of a rogue look, and after he played a ruthless drug lord in that award-winning movie, people couldn't forget his fierce presence.

check him out,

be clinging to his leg,

Yolanda wasn't scared of him. Instead, she squinted

life. Were you

cursed, curling up

did. Why are you just standing there?

jolted by his words, saw his expression and realized it didn't seem like he was

he wasn't actually hurt,

that in mind, worry crept back

hang in there, I'll find

turned and

didn't expect to see Lizetta stepping o out of the room

expect to see

are

How long had she been out of it? What else had

forgotten?

took a couple of

forward. "You've got some

me

asking that, Ms. Yolanda.

II

remembered she had someone needing medical attention

shut the

run