Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Eveling’s eyes nearly melted as she gazed into Remington’s, yet he made no move toward her.

Then you better go back and rest early”

The man Evelina’s eyes nearly melted as she gazed into Remingtonis, yet he made no move toward her.

“Ma. Hawthorne? Cedric piped up.

Evelina managed a weak smile and finally pulled her leg back into the car

Cedric slammed the door shut and moved over to the driver’s seat.

As the car started rolling, Evelina chuckled, “Cedric, you’re getting married soon, right? I have yet to meet your girlfriend. When can you introduce her? I’ve been out of the country for years, my circle’s gone cold. Your girlfriend must be gentle and serene, we’d get along well.”

Cedric smiled politely, “My girlfriend’s got social anxiety, plus the doctor told Ms. Hawthorne to lay low and rest up.”

Evelina fidgeted with her fingers, trying both overtly and covertly to charm him a few times, but Cedric remained unswayed.

Evelina, frustrated, finally pretended to sleep and gave up.

After Lizetta dropped Joseph off, she told Hamilton to leave and hailed a cab herself.

But Hamilton insisted it was on his way and persuaded Lizetta to join him in his car

When they reached Meadowbrook Meadows, Lizetta got out, and Hamilton followed.

“Do you want me to recommend a reliable lawyer and PR firm for the online vitriol?”

As a fan of Lizetta, he was of course aware of her being exposed online today, her name was still in the trending searches.

Lizetta was taken aback but then laughed at his genuine concern.

“Don’t you think charging 200 grand for one play makes me come off as a total money–grubber?”

Hamilton arched an eyebrow, “No way! You’re my idol, of course, you’re worth the price. You offering her the gig is an honor!”

He was so earnest Lizetta almost bought it.

Blind affirmation from a fan sometimes can be hard to bear,

I

Feeling a bit sheepish, Lizetta waved him off, “Nah, I have my ways of dealing with it. You should go back now, thanks for the ride.”

As she turned to leave, Hamilton called out, “Lizetta, seriously, do you really not find me familiar at all?”

Lizetta spun around, her face a mix of surprise and confusion, “Have we met before?”

She was still trying to recall when she might have seen him, as she had no memory of him whatsoever.

Hamilton facepalmed, “Forget it, just contact me if you need help.”

He saluted her with a cool flick of his fingers, swung open the car door, and slid in.

“I’ll do my best, nighty night.”

He drove away, leaving Lizetta standing there, still trying to figure out what he meant by doing his best.

13:14

As she turned around, little did she know that someone was silently standing behind her.

“Ah!” Lizetta screamed and stumbled backward.

“What’s with the screaming?! Geez, ‘sis‘? Pretty sweet, huh? Lizetta, you’re quite something. I haven’t seen you for half a day, and you’ve already got someone like Hamilton, the nation’s heartthrob hubby?”

Yolanda latched onto Lizetta’s arm, eyes wide with curiosity.

Lizetta clutched her chest, “Are you trying to scare me to death? What’s this about a heartthrob hubby?”

Yolanda rolled her eyes, “You living offline or what? Hamilton, man, the breakout star from last year’s hottest talent show, one of the top idol pups on the scene.

The dude wasn’t even twenty last year, and he’s already got a solid fanbase of ‘girlfriend fans‘ calling him ‘hubby‘ left and right. Mention ‘nation’s heartthrob hubby, and everyone knows it’s him.”

Lizetta was stunned. That explained why at the amusement park, Hamilton was all masked up and hat pulled low, looking like a dead ringer for Cassius.

So, when he said he’d do his best, did he mean he thought he wasn’t famous enough?

She didn’t recognize him; was that meant to signal he needed to work harder?

Lizetta laughed helplessly, “Hubby, huh? Sure it’s not meant to be a diss?”

“How could it be? It’s a term of endearment, super cute. Spill it, what’s the deal with you two?”

As Yolanda pressed Lizetta with questions, Remington’s car parked at the base of an old residential building.

The man got out and headed straight into the building.

He climbed to the top floor and knocked on the door. Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

No response after a long while.

He withdrew his hand, turned around, and saw a middle–aged woman peering out from the fifth floor, looking upwards.

Before Remington could say a word, the woman spoke up.

“You looking for those two girls upstairs? They moved out. A couple of days ago, one of the young ladies was nearly in trouble; the police came, and the house was sealed for a day. Didn’t you know?”

Remington’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he stood there, his presence overwhelming, like a predator lying in