Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

“I’m gonna hit the shower first.”

Lizetta looked away and had already stepped into the changing room to grab some fresh clothes. Remington loosened his tic, unbuttoned his collar, and slumped on the couch, rubbing his temples wearily.

Back in the private box, Lizetta didn’t hold back, and he ended up knocking back quite a few drinks.

Now the booze was kicking in hard, making him feel pretty lousy. In the past, she would have been all over him with worry, probably would’ve made him some hangover soup by now.

Watching the woman head to the bathroom with her PJs, without a backward glance, Remington felt even more down in the dumps.

A mix of feeling slighted and lost, like he was being ignored.

Lizetta showered in record time, blow–dried her hair until it was damp, and then stepped out of the bathroom.

Remington was nowhere in sight in the bedroom, but the lingering scent of alcohol he left behind was unmistakable.

Lizetta thought about Remington’s not–so–great stomach, and considering he had her back tonight against those creeps at the bar, who knows what would’ve happened without him, she decided to go find him.

Sure enough, there was a light peeking from the study. Lizetta pushed open the door to see the man on the phone behind his desk.

She didn’t disturb him, just closed the door and went downstairs.

“Lizetta is my wife, her big bro is also my brother–in–law. It’s only fair he stays in the Dashiell family’s VI hospital suite. I don’t care who ordered what, if today’s stunt happens again, you’re out of here, got it?”

Remington was on the phone with the hospital head honcho. Shortly after hanging up, Lizetta had whipped up some hangover soup and knocked on his door.

But when she walked into the study, she saw Remington on the sofa area, hurriedly pulling down his sleeve as she entered.

“Why aren’t you in bed yet?”

Lizetta put down the hangover soup and suspiciously reached for his hidden arm.

“What are you up to?”

“Nothing, is that hangover soup for me?”

As Remington reached for the bowl, Lizetta grabbed his arm, yanked up his sleeve, and her eyebrows knitted

together in concern.

“What the heck, why isn’t this cut healed up yet?”

Remington’s arm was still bandaged up, blood seeping through it.

He reassured her, “I got bumped into at the bar, it was almost healed. I’ve re–applied some ointment and re–bandaged it, it’s nothing.”

He pulled his sleeve back down, but Lizetta’s frown didn’t fade.

Was it from when he got hurt sticking up for her on stage?

She couldn’t help but get imitated, “You’re injured, and you’re drinking?”

Was Evelina really worth him neglecting his own health, to drink on her behalf and play games?

14:18

Remington raised an eyebrow, “Weren’t you the one who told me to drink?” Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Lizetta was on the verge of exploding, scoffing as she handed him the hangover soup.

“With logic like that, how has the Starlight Group not gone under yet?”

After handing over the soup, Lizetta stormed out. Remington watched her go, a sly smile on his lips…

At least she had the decency to make him some hangover soup.

He took a small sip and winced.

“Man, that’s nasty. What is this, poison?”

Meanwhile, Lizetta returned to her room to find a few new messages on her phone from an unknown number. Opening them, she found photos of Remington and Evelina abroad – different settings, different seasons. different outfits. It highlighted Remington’s neglect over the past four years and his time spent with Evelina.

Lizetta had wondered if Remington had met up with Evelina during his business trips, if he was having fun with another woman overseas while she missed him. But seeing those pictures laid out in front of her was like

a

punch to the gut.

Teeth clenched, she dialed the number straight away.

The call was cut off. Evelina, of course, was too scared to pick up, fearing a recording or worse, a complaint.

Now, even if Lizetta took it to Remington. Evelina could easily deny a random number.

Realizing this, Lizetta blocked the number, and just then the door opened, and the man stepped in.

Lizetta was seething. She pulled up Evelina’s contact and called directly. Sure enough, it was picked up almost instantly.

Lizetta sneered and tossed the phone onto the sofa, then turned and walked towards Remington. She tiptoed. wrapping her arms around his neck.

“What took you so long? I’ve been waiting forever.”

She too had a rebellious streak and a thirst for revenge. Evelina had been disgusting her repeatedly, so why not give Evelina a taste of her own medicine?