Remington must have hightailed it out of there in the dead of night. In the video, the guy’s trench coat


    was pping in the sea breeze as he weaved through the bustling crowd, looking all frosty and serious.


    Lizetta let out a sigh. No clue when he’d be back, but it was crystal clear this divorce wasn’t happening


    today.


    Right then, she got a message from Ynda.


    [Don’te back yet.]


    Half an hourter, Lizetta got another message from Ynda, and she rushed home, bursting through


    the door with urgent questions.


    “What’s gone down?”


    “People from the Dashiell Group showed up. Look at this.”


    Ynda nodded toward the coffee table, where a business card and a few printed contracts wereid


    out. It was all about that gig for Evelina, where Lizetta had used Ynda’s info online.


    Lizetta wasn’t surprised they’de knocking. “Did they give you a hard time?”


    Ynda shrugged, “Just the usual stick–and–carrot tactics. Pfft, as if I’m buying it. They think they can


    ruin my future and get me kicked out of school? The Dashiell family ain’t exactly mobsters.”


    Lizetta’s expression turned somber. The Dashiell family might not be mobsters, but they sure had their


    ways.


    If they decided to cut off someone’s air supply, squashing little fish like them wouldn’t even cause a


    ripple.


    She was kicking herself for not busting Evelina’s hand yesterday, making it impossible for her to ever


    y the violin again. That’d show her for stealing tunes.


    “Let her y, then,” Lizetta tossed the contract back on the table.


    Ynda blinked, annoyed, “Why should she get to y? Who’s scared of a little showdown?”


    Lizetta cracked a smile instead, “Tell them the tune’s not for sale, but Evelina can have a one–time


    performance license for 200 grand.”


    She was itching to see what kind of hot mess Evelina would make of it.


    Ynda’s eyes bulged, “Haha. 200 grand for a one–time gig? That’s a real bargain for Bitch Evelina!


    I’m on it.”


    After shooting off an email, she reached out to Lizetta, “Where’s the divorce paper, c’mon, hand


    14:07


    it over. Gotta Taunt it on Facebook and find some new prospects white I’m at it


    Lizetta plopped down on the sofa. “Didn’t go through: Remington’s left the country.)


    Ynda beld back, but couldn’t help cursing.


    “Figures, jerks like him never y it straight! Off on a trip,ving the groundwork for his side chick while


    dragging his feet on the divorce, You could make a bulletproof vest out of his thick skin and it’d stop a


    nuke! What a fricking showott!”


    Evelina sported when she heard about the 200–grand for a one–time license,


    “Poorposer, what a money grab! But at least she’s sensible,”


    It wasn’t her money anyway, she just cared about the oue, and she was in a pretty good mood.


    April joked, “Probably got greedy once they saw Mi. Dashiell’s people. These so–calledposers act


    all high and mighty, but throw enough cash and they fold faster than anyone.”


    *200 grand for a one–time performance right? Later, we can spin it as Mr. Dashiell’s favoritism toward


    you. Won’t that just kill people


    Evelina’s eyes lit up, “You better get a good putt piece written, and let everyone know just how greedy


    thatposer is.”


    April was a pro at this game of stepping on one and touting another. She nodded, “Got it. You practice


    with the violin; it’s been a while,”


    Evelina hadn’t touched the violin since returning home; her mind was no longer on ying.


    April handed her the violin, and Evelina reluctantly struck a pose. The violin screeched, and she tossed


    it aside, her face contorted with pain and irritation.


    “What’s going on?”


    “It’s all Lizetta, that bitch’s fault; my arm and hand are killing me. I’m done practicing!”


    The bruises from the beating hadn’t faded, and Evelina’s face twisted with hatred. She remembered


    ra sneaking a peek at Lizetta’s childhood dancepetition videos the other night after meeting


    her, and her jealousy burned even hotter, venom in her eyes,


    If only Lizetta’s legs were ruined!


    Remington had vanished without a trace, and only after a day did he send Lize a message,


    [Major project ident, left the country, return date uncertain.]


    Lizetta, fuming, promptly blocked him.


    A week flew by, autumn rains unceasing. The air in Zion City had turned decidedly chilly.


    Lizetta left without taking any designer clothes from the wardrobe; they were meant for Mrs. Dashiell,


    not for her.


    So, Ynda took advantage of the weekend to drag Lizetta out shopping. They entered the mall, and


    Ynda, arm in arm with Lizetta, made a beeline for a familiar shoe store.


    “You’ve gotta wear soft, t shoes now, ditch the old ones. We’ll buy a couple of pairs today.”


    Lizetta nodded, “Sure, sure, I’ll follow your lead.”


    Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    She tried on a pair of ballet ts while Ynda spotted another unique pair and dashed off.


    Lizetta stood up, taking a few steps to see if they pinched, not noticing a wet spot on the floor that had


    been missed by the mop.


    She stepped on it, her feet slipped out from under her, and she crashed backward.


    “Liz!”


    Ynda caught it out of the corner of her eye and nearly had a heart attack. Lizetta was pregnant, and


    this fall could very well mean the end for the baby.