Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Lizetta bolted out, shoving the door open, but froze in her tracks as she looked up. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Standing there was Evelina! She asked with concern, “Sis, why the waterworks? Did Remi chew you out? I’ll have a word with him for you.”

Though they’d never been sisters for a day, Evelina always put on this insincere act, calling Lizetta “Sis“.

The embarrassment of being caught in her mess by her arch nemesis just cranked up Lizetta’s discomfort a

notch.

The man’s steady footsteps approached, his composure and dignity stark against Lizetta’s disarray; he seemed utterly unfazed.

“I told you I’ll go to the hospital to see you? How come you’re here already?” His tone with Evelina was a complete 180 from the cold–hearted vibe just moments before.

Evelina cracked a smile, “I got discharged already. Just came to save you the trip.”

Lizetta didn’t want to stick around for their lovey–dovey show and was about to split when Remington grabbed her wrist, “Whip up some watermelon juice.”

Evelina loved watermelon juice; Lizetta hated it with a passion.

As kids, Hans and Jolin got into a fistfight, blood splattering on the sliced watermelon, making it hard to tell what was redder.

Remington knew that full well! And he still had the nerve to make his wife wait on his mistress. Lizetta felt like her heart was being carved out, thinking he had rocks for brains.

“Did you suddenly lose your hands or something, Mr. Dashiell?!”

She yanked her wrist away and stormed off, Evelina’s anxious voice trailing behind her.

“Remington, she is delicate and can’t handle the stress. Go talk with her.”

“Leave her be!”

Bursting out of the building, Lizetta hugged herself and slowly crouched down on the sidewalk.

Her vision blurred as she kept telling herself over and over, “It’s okay, Lizetta. Show them what you’re made of; let everyone see!”

Her phone rang. Wiping away her tears, she answered, “Uh–huh, okay, I’ll be right there.”

What Remington didn’t know was that since she turned fourteen, she hadn’t used a dime from the Dashiell family, always hustling to make her own money.

Now with divorce, studying abroad, and her brother’s hospital bills looming, Lizetta needed to save up more than ever. No need to stick around at the Starlight Group; her days were her own now, ripe for the planning.

No time for tears, she sprinted for the bus stop.

Top floor office.

The man’s silhouette was tall and imposing; he stood by the floor–to–ceiling windows, like a ruler looking down on his subjects with cold indifference. Yet, his back seemed to carry a hint of loneliness.

“Remi, are you and Lizetta fighting over Lucian coming back?” Evelina, lounging on the sofa sipping her juice, suddenly popped the question.

Remington’s eyes sharpened as he turned around, “No, it’s just the usual spats between husband and wife. We’ll be good later. Totally normal.”

They’d be good later.

23 27

Evelina’s grip on the cup tightened as she remembered how she had complained about stomach pains in the hospital room yesterday, hoping to keep Remington by her side. But he had just told her to buzz the nurse and went chasing after Lizetta.

Pushing down her bitterness, Evelina nodded with a forced smile, “That’s a relief. I thought maybe she found out about Lucian’s return.”

Seeing Remington’s face turn even colder, Evelina quickly dropped the subject.

“The baby’s all good, right?” Remington broke the silence.

Evelina caressed her belly with a sweet smile, “Oh, this little troublemaker’s keeping me on my toes.”

“Take good care of the baby,” Remington instructed.

Evelina played the victim, “Remington, is it just the baby you care about? What about me?”

Remington just looked at Evelina without a word. She knew she’d overstepped, so she chuckled nervously to change the subject.

“By the way. My agent’s been having a tough time getting Maestro Adagio’s new song. They’re really digging. their heels in. Maestro Adagio’s style would be perfect for me, especially as the opener for my homecoming solo concert. It would be stunning. I’ve been fretting over this, tossing and turning at night. Can you help me get that song?”

Evelina not getting her beauty sleep wasn’t good for the baby. Remington nodded, “I’ll see what I can do.”

Her face lit up with joy, and just then, Cedric walked in, “Boss, the meeting’s about to start.”

Evelina urged him, “Go ahead. Can I finish my juice first? The acidity’s just right, and you know I haven’t had much of an appetite these days.”

Remington nodded again and left with Cedric. Evelina, holding her juice, wandered around the office, her eyes full of longing. She made her way to the desk, her gaze landing on that divorce agreement.