Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

“So, you told me to pick whatever I wanted, right? I made my choice. Why do you care if I’m buying them to wear or to slap some cheap witch across the face with? What’s the matter, didn’t get enough last time and already forgot the sting?”

Evelina suddenly remembered the marks that Lizetta left on her body with a feather duster last time, which took a whole week to fade. She stepped back, her face turning sour.

Yolanda immediately grabbed a shoe and swung it fiercely through the air, “Can’t lie, these shoes have some real bounce–back. Bet they’d pack a punch on a skank’s face.”

Evelina shrunk back, and Shirley, fuming with anger, stepped forward, “Who are you calling a skank!?”

“Whoever takes it personally, that’s who! Why bother asking?” Yolanda rolled her eyes.

Shirley was so mad she was practically steaming, about to swing her purse. and go at it, but Evelina held her back.

“Chill out, Shirley. If Lizetta here doesn’t appreciate my good intentions, let’s just head across and continue our bag shopping spree. You pick a few your

kaf

like; they’re on me.”

She pulled Shirley away, but Yolanda couldn’t help but whisper to Lizetta, “Is she some kind of philanthropist or just a rich fool looking to shed her cash, like she gets nastily itchy if she doesn’t give stuff away?”

Lizetta shrugged. But when Shirley heard this, she spun around, chin up.

“You have no clue! Remi’s patrolling the mall today, and it was clear from the get–go. Anything Evelina fancies, it’s on his tab. Not just a few purses, even if she picked out a whole cartload, she could afford to gift it.”

Damn! That Remington, that douchebag, didn’t even mention footing the bill. when he saw Lizetta earlier.

Nice move, spending money on a mistress to slap his own wife’s face, huh?

“Liz.” Yolanda was filled with regret, wishing she hadn’t spoken so rashly, and now she had upset Lizetta.

But Lizetta’s face was stoic. She looked at Shirley and said, “Thanks for the reminder, Shirley. I’m about to run to the supermarket and grab some big scissors. Since I own half of everything that’s Remi’s, whatever you buy, I’ll just cut it in half.”

“You! Just admit you’re jealous of Evelina, quit the passive–aggressive crap.”

“Jealousy’s for creatures of the same species. My Liz is fairy–level; why would she be jealous of you getting uglier or doing facial surgery more often?”

Shirley was so infuriated by Yolanda she almost hopped on one foot. Evelina, worried the fight would become too embarrassing and alert Remington, dragged Shirley away.

Yolanda grabbed Lizetta, “Take back every word I said about that jerk having any guts. Let Remington, that scumbag, softie with ED, loser, go get rotten with that bitch!”

Lizetta patted her hand, “Forget them, bad vibes.”

Having lost her mood, Lizetta said to the shopping guide, “I’ll take the pair I tried on; just wrap them up for me.”

She handed the shoes over, and the shopping guide smiled, “Sure thing, Miss. I’ll get you a fresh pair to wrap up; these are just the display model.”

Lizetta nodded, not really caring.

As they left, the salesperson took the shoes off the shelf again and hurried to the back. Her phone rang, and she answered.

“Take care of those shoes.”

Evelina ordered, her eyes full of annoyance, wanting to teach Lizetta a lesson, maybe even break her leg. How lucky could that woman get, just when Remington decided to show up!

“Ms. Hawthorne, rest assured,” the shopping guide flipped the shoes over,

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revealing greasy stains on the soles.

Lizetta and Yolanda left the shoe store and headed to a restaurant upstairs.

They ordered some spicy dishes, the scent already sending tantalizing.. aromas their way before they even started to dig in. This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

Lizetta actually loved spicy food because Rachel had it frequently, and she’d grown up influenced by that. But the Dashiell family’s palate was more on the bland side.

Living under the Dashiell roof, Lizetta had to go with the flow; even in Oakridge Heights, she always prepared mild food, just in case Remington came home. Meal after meal eaten alone piled up to her disappointment.

“Oh, no! Baby, are you okay? Let me check!”

At the next table, a young mother accidentally knocked over a cup while pouring water, splashing hot water. She burned her arm but immediately checked on her daughter sitting in a high chair at a distance.

Lizetta was lost in thought until Yolanda put a couple of slices of cooked fish into her bowl.

“This place’s fish is top–notch. Eat up; the little one needs nourishment. I’m looking forward being the baby’s godmother.”

Lizetta snapped back to reality, “I haven’t decided yet.”

Yolanda didn’t respond, and just pushed her phone over with a photo on the screen of Lizetta daydreaming.

“Look at that smile, you’re glowing with motherly love. You’d be surprised if you could actually let go. If you want it, go for it. I’ll even shave my head and play dad if needed; it’s no big deal.”