Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

She had barely taken a drag when April snatched the cigarette away, snuffed it out, and waved her hand dismissively.

“Mr. Dashiell cares so much about the bun in the oven, and smoking ain’t exactly flavor of the month. How about you lay off it for a bit?”

Looking visibly irritated, Evelina slapped her belly with a thud.

“Ugh, so annoying!”

Chill out, even if you’re out of luck, it’s not like Lizetta snagged the chance either, so it’s not a total bust.”

April tried to console her, and Evelina’s face finally softened.

Yeah, Lizetta will wake up and find out she’s missed the boat. Wonder if she’ll be beside herself with tears.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

“Is that Mr. Dashiell coming to see you?”

Lit up with excitement, Evelina jumped off the couch and made a beeline for the door. Then, thinking of she’d just smoked, she paused and said,

“April, keep him busy for a sec, and I’ll be right there.”

She dashed to the bathroom, sprayed on some perfume, touched up her lipstick, unbuttoned the top two buttons of her blouse, and then sprinted to the foyer.

But when she saw the man entering, the smile on her face froze slightly.

“Why is it you?”

“Who else would it be? Eve, I just did you a solid; how are you gonna thank me?”

The newcomer stepped forward, wrapped an arm around Evelina’s waist, and playfully tugged at her slightly open collar.

“What’s this? All fired up because you knew I was coming?”

Evelina humored him while signaling April with her eyes to stand guard at the door.

When Lizetta woke up, it was already dark outside.

Her head was still foggy as she lifted herself from the couch, clueless about where she was.

Her phone on the table was buzzing. Lizetta picked it up without thinking.

“Liz, I’ve got the celebration all set up for you, where are you? Haven’t you come back yet? Or did you find a new mentor and can’t bear to leave??

Yolanda’s cheerful voice came through, which jolted Lizetta back to reality; she sprang to her feet.

“Yoll, I can’t talk now; I’ll catch up with you later.”

Lizetta hung up the phone in a hurry and glanced at the time.

She had been out cold for nearly six hours. Lizetta smacked her forehead, rushed out of the room, and started pounding on Dories‘ door in a panic.

Naturally, there was no response from inside, and just then, a cleaner happened to come by with a cleaning cart. Lizetta asked, and the cleaner said,

“The foreigners from this room? They checked out and left with their group an hour ago.”

Lizetta felt her breath catch, seeing several missed calls from Anna on her phone.

She dashed to the elevator and dialed Anna, but no one answered.

It wasn’t until she was almost on the ground floor that Anna picked up on Lizetta’s fourth attempt.

“Anna, I’m so sorry, this afternoon.”

She was cut off by Anna, who spoke coldly.

“She despises tardiness and those not serious about dance. Your attitude has disappointed her. We’re boarding soon, and don’t call again.”

Anna hung up, but Lizetta didn’t give up and kept calling as she ran out of the hotel.

However, Anna had clearly blocked Lizetta.

Standing outside the hotel, a draft swept through as Lizetta crouched down in disarray. Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

In a black Cullinan nearby, Cedric wanted to remind Remington, but remembering his orders not to bring up his wife’s issues again, Cedric kept silent.

But it was clear that the missus was in trouble.

How could she run out of the hotel in just a thin dance outfit and barefoot.

Cedric couldn’t bear it, and he glanced at the rearview mirror, only to see Remington’s stem profile also looking out the window.

The direction and focus of his gaze made it clear he had seen his wife.