Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

This call just wasn’t getting picked up, no matter how long it rang.

Lizetta kept dialing over and over, but got no answer from the other side.

Couldn’t tell if he just didn’t see it, or if he was purposely giving her the cold shoulder as a lesson.

“Badass Remington not picking up the phone? Just like him!” Yolanda gritted her teeth.

“Did you tick off Remington or what? Spit

it out!” Jolin was so anxious that she started shoving Lizetta around.

Lizetta stumbled from the push; her bag hit the deck, and out tumbled a divorce agreement.

It was a fresh copy she’d made, signed and ready to be slapped in Remington’s face the next time she saw him. to make him sign it.

Jolin picked it up and stared at Lizetta in disbelief.

“What the heck did you do to get dumped by Remington? The sky is falling! Go beg him to take you back, get on your knees if you have to, go!”

Lizetta was just so drained, and this was her own mother.

Her daughter’s getting divorced, and she’s not worried about the hurt but about losing the glitz and glam.

Lizetta shook off Jolin, “Go kneel yourself!”

Jolin stumbled back; as she was about to blow a fuse, she locked eyes with Lizetta’s steely gaze and froze.

She was the type to bully the weak but cower before the strong, so she chickened out.

But Lizetta couldn’t just stand by and watch her big brother get kicked out of the hospital, so she grabbed Yolanda’s hand.

Yolanda immediately said, “You go ahead, I’ve got this. I’ll make sure nothing happens to your brother.”

Only then did Lizetta clutch her phone and rush out of the hospital.

In the evening, Maplewood Club.

The biggest den of iniquity in Zion City, where all the high rollers hang out.

Lizetta asked for Timothy and heard that Remington had a shindig here tonight.

The club was no place for just anyone; Lizetta waited outside, and Timothy showed up pretty quick.

He was decked out in a wine–red V–neck suit; his hair was not as slick as usual, with bangs covering his devil–may–care brows – oozing nobility that only comes from rolling in dough; utterly charming.

“Timothy, thanks a million.”

Timothy smirked and raised an eyebrow, “Little Liz, you look even prettier than two years ago. Come on, let me sneak you in.”

Soon enough, they were standing at a secluded VIP room door.

Timothy paused and filled her in.

“I gave the guys downstairs a heads up. From now on, you can come straight to this VIP room. It’s just for the bros to hang out, not open to the public. Wanna see Remi? You won’t go wrong here.”

“Thanks, Timothy.”

Lizetta smiled her thanks, but she didn’t really think she’d be coming back to find anyone.

Once she and Remington were done, their worlds would be totally different.

A server pushed open the door, and out spilled the music and chatter.

“Ha, Lizetta in the same league as Evelina? Remi would pick Evelina for sure. Lizetta’s been on the receiving end of his cold shoulder because of Evelina for years.”

“Well, that’s not a given. Lizetta’s like his own flesh and blood. Even if there’s no love between them, there’s sibling affection, right? Remi used to spoil her rotten, promising the moon and stars.”

Lizetta’s feet froze at the door.

The voices inside kept going, dripping with endless mockery. Content is property of NôvelDrama.Org.

“Pssh! That’s just Remi being protective! Even his pets get the royal treatment. Right, Remi?”

Lizetta recognized it was Cassius‘ voice.

She held her breath, hoping to hear a retort, but all she got was a man’s mocking, indifferent tone.

“If you know I’m protective, then zip it!”

Lizetta felt the icy voice slice through her skin, and the blood it drew was as cold as ice.

Hanna said she wasn’t even as good as the Dashiell family’s dog, but it turned out in Remington’s eyes, she, Lizetta, was just his best–kept pet.

And she was openly judged and mocked by his buddies as a bit of banter.

Lizetta’s face turned pale, and by then, the room’s occupants finally noticed them.

“Yo, Timothy’s here, and he’s brought a new flame. Must be a knockout. Come on, let’s get a look!”

Someone called out and pulled Timothy aside, exposing Lizetta to everyone’s gaze.

Her eyes locked with the man lounging on the VIP room sofa.

Lizetta’s gaze swept past the delicate figure beside him, and she flashed a smile.

Oh, Evelina was there too.

Sorry to interrupt, she thought. Sorry to crash the party.

The room went from buzzing to dead silent.

Evelina’s eyes darted around, filled with envy.

Lizetta was just too stunning. Without any makeup, she’d stand out, like the first red plum blossom on a winter’s day effortlessly stealing the scene.

“Liz? Come in and take a seat.”

Evelina quickly walked up to Lizetta, reaching to pull her in as if nothing had happened in their past.

Lizetta sidestepped, leaving Evelina with an awkward expression, her ha