Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

In bed, Lizetta opened her eyes, gazing into the void outside the window.

In fact, she had squinted just a moment ago and seen it was a message from Evelina’s agent, April

She didn’t try to make him stay, knowing it was futile.

She had tried before; the scars on her feet hadn’t even healed yet, so why bring shame upon herself again?

Downstairs, the roar of a car sounded. Lizetta flipped off the covers and climbed out of bed, walking to the window.

The rain that had been holding back all night now poured down in torrents, and a black sedan sliced through the mist and vanished up the mountain road.

That was the romantic rush of the man she loved towards another woman.

Liar.

He tricked her into believing he was there when he was not.

Lizetta turned and went to the dance studio, which Remington had personally prepared for her when she was a child, complete with the best soundproofing equipment.

She chose a powerful song, violently ripping her skirt and collar as she spun wildly.

She danced with wild abandon. After taking a shower, she climbed back into bed. Though her body was exhausted, she still tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

The bed was imbued with the scent of a man, making her restless.

Lizetta picked up her phone, it was past 2 a.m.

Her stomach churned; the bitter taste of medicine stirred up again.

Why should she feel this miserable, while that dog of a man was out meeting his mistress, living it up?

Lizetta opened her search engine, typed in “infertility,” used Remington’s phone number to leave messages asking for advice, and finally curled up with a blanket on the sofa and fell asleep.

The next morning, the storm had stopped, the wind and rain had ceased.

The servants had cleared the yard of broken branches and fallen leaves early on; the storm had left no trace.

Fiona had gone out to meet friends early in the morning. After Lizetta had breakfast and was. about to head to Tempo Dance Studio, Hanna called out to her.

“Joseph’s teacher sent over his lecture notes and papers. You deliver them, and maybe give him a hand. I’ve got an art exhibition to attend and can’t make it, so you’ll have to accompany him for the day.”

“I’ve got stuff to do today.”

Lizetta was cut off before she could finish as Hanna impatiently interrupted.

“What important thing could you possibly have, you big idler? Come on, Joseph is so fond of you. If you’re too heartless to care for him when he’s sick, fine, but you can’t even do this small favor? Who do you think you’re letting down?”

The driver came in to say the car was ready, and Hanna hurried off.

A maid handed Lizetta the tablet, and she went upstairs to print Joseph’s notes and papers.

She did not expect that just as she entered the hospital building, she would run into Evelina.

Evelina was with April. April’s bag slipped off her shoulder, spilling contents everywhere, and a document fluttered down near Lizetta’s feet.

23 29

Lizetta looked down and immediately saw the words “pregnancy test” on the paper.

Without thinking, she bent down, picked it up, and stared hard at the name on it.

Patient: Evelina, approximately 6 weeks pregnant.

Her fingertips turned cold; it had been just over a month, around the time Remington was away on business.

“Sis, give it back to me,” Evelina said quickly, snatching the pregnancy test result from her.

Lizetta just stared at her, her mind going blank, her lips trembling, her voice hoarse.

“Is the child Remington’s?”

Evelina handed the test back to April to put away, her expression one of tender sweetness, with the glow of impending motherhood.

“Remi is really fond of this child. He even named the baby ‘Evangeline.‘ Sounds nice, doesn’t it?”

So, that was a gift for his and Evelina’s child.

Evangeline, as in Evelina’s fallen right into his heart? How romantic indeed.

Lizetta felt like she had a lump of iron stuck in her throat, her face deathly pale.

“But don’t worry, sis, I’m not the type to force a marriage by pregnancy. I know Remi is a responsible man. I’m not greedy; his love and our baby are enough for me.”

Evelina smiled contently, her left hand casually brushing the jade bracelet on her right wrist.

Lizetta felt like a blade had sliced through her, filling her chest with grit, pain making it hard to maintain any facade of composure.

No wonder a single message was enough to send him out into the rainy night–it turned out Evelina was

pregnant.

He had already given Evelina the Dashiell family heirloom bracelet, accepting her as his wife in his heart.

Was Evelina too proud, still angry about something from four years ago? Were they still squabbling?

Lizetta bit her cheek painfully and nodded reluctantly.

“To each their own. If you’re happy being the other woman and having an illegitimate child, go ahead.”

She reminded herself, she was about to divorce Remington anyway. Whatever he did with Evelina had nothing to do with her; she should be able to handle it gracefully.

The other woman!

Illegitimate child!

Evelina’s fingers dug into her flesh, watching Lizetta’s back as she left, a cold laugh escaping her lips before she called out loudly.

“Isn’t it funny for you to say that when you’re about to get divorced, sis?”

Lizetta stopped dead in her tracks, turning to look at Evelina.

Remington had already told Evelina they were getting a divorce?

He really couldn’t wait.

Lizetta stepped forward, returning back to Evelina. She was taller than Evelina and reached out to touch her head.

“Green tea’s supposed to be drunk with the lid off, Evelina. Should I twist your cap to discipline you?”

Evelina stiffened, and Lizetta scoffed, patting her face.

23.29

“You said ‘about to,‘ which means not yet. Until the day we’re divorced, I’m still Mrs. Dashiell, and it’s not the place of a mistress to laugh at me.”

She patted Evelina’s face again, a light tap, but Evelina suddenly screamed “ah” and fell to the side. Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

“Lizetta! What are you doing!?”