Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Lizetta was on edge hearing her twist the truth like that; she simply wanted to set things straight.

She tried to step forward to clarify, but the guy wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into his embrace.

Remington’s voice was cool as ice, “No serious squabble? Ha, my wife gets. her face busted by you guys, and you still talk about not having serious squabble?”

Elara was overpowered by his dominance, her face freezing up.

Kevin gave her a nudge. Regardless, Lizetta was Remington’s wife. Smacking Lizetta was like smacking Remington himself.

He forced a smile, “Remington, Eve’s had it tough, and Elara was just overzealous with motherly love. Lizetta’s said some pretty harsh words too. Even though she grew up in the Dashiell family, Elara and I have been keeping her in our thoughts, feeling like she’s one of our own. To watch her act all brash and bossy, it’s hard for the elders not to step in and discipline.”

Was

Remington’s gaze icy, not giving an inch.

“My wife is shy and tolerant, understanding and reasonable. If the elders really had a point, she would naturally listen. So the idea of slight discipline is laughable. I wasn’t aware the Hawthorne family ran a courtroom, setting up their own kangaroo court?!”

Kevin’s face stiffened too, the atmosphere turning awkwardly.tense.

Maybe Evelina caught wind of the argument outside, because the hospital room door swung open and she showed up, her arm in a sling, surprised.

“Dad, mom? Remington, what’s going on?”

Elara, anxious and caring, steadied her, “Eve, why are you out here? Get back and lie down.”

She and Kevin tried to help Evelina back inside, breaking the stiffness. But then Remington piped up again, “Isn’t Mrs. Elara Hawthorne planning to

apologize to my wife before going back in?”

Elara turned around incredulously, and Evelina’s face was a mix of shock and hurt. Even Lizetta was caught off guard. Was Remington really going to put his future in–laws on the spot for her, again and again?

“Why should I apologize, Remington? Look at what happened to Eve’s hand!”

Elara’s face flushed with anger, and Lizetta chimed in just in time.

“Mrs. Elara Hawthorne, got any proof that today’s mess had anything to do with me? Seems like you’re just picking on the softest target.”

Kevin’s face darkened too, “Then let’s have Joseph come over and sort things. out face to face!”

Joseph had stood up for Lizetta, and now she certainly couldn’t throw him under the bus.

She scoffed, “If Evelina hadn’t played the other woman first, snatching things she shouldn’t have, she wouldn’t have gotten hit. Even if Joseph did wrong. the root cause is Evelina herself. It’s her own lack of integrity!”

Evelina looked utterly bewildered and wronged, crying out, “What have I taken that I shouldn’t have? Are you randomly pinning a theft charge on me now?”

Lizetta grabbed Evelina’s arm, lifting the injured hand. The jade bracelet that couldn’t be removed was still on her wrist. But because the arm was swollen from the injury, the already ill–fitting bracelet was stuck on her wrist bone, looking quite ridiculous. Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

“This bracelet is a Dashiell family heirloom, Ms. Evelina Hawthorne. Doesn’t seem quite right for you to have it, does it? Joseph was just trying to take back what belonged to the Dashiell family. You weren’t cooperating, and a kid might act a bit rashly, but it’s all understandable. Sure, he’s a kid with no sense of proportion, but don’t you, Ms. Hawthorne, an adult, know any better? Shouldn’t you know not to mess with things that aren’t yours?”

Her hubby had given the mistress a bracelet – bringing that up was embarrassing for herself, and Lizetta didn’t want to mention it in the first place.

14:10

But she couldn’t let Joseph take the fall, getting labeled as a violent, heartless young tyrant, smashing someone’s hand for no reason.

What she didn’t expect was Evelina’s expression – not smug, nor ashamed, but full of bewilderment and injustice as she looked at her.

“Sis, what are you talking about, a family heirloom bracelet?”

Lizetta was taken aback, glancing back at Remington, only to see him with a face utterly dark.