Shattered Dreams Find Light by Niro Dane Frost 4

Shattered Dreams Find Light by Niro Dane Frost 4 Summary

In Chapter 4 of “Shattered Dreams Find Light,” Simone arrives late at Cardinal Media House, her heart racing with a mix of anxiety and excitement from a passionate night with a captivating stranger. As she navigates the bustling newsroom, she encounters Sydney, her condescending colleague, who seizes the opportunity to belittle her. The atmosphere shifts dramatically when Simone enters the journalists’ wing, and the room falls silent, all eyes on her. Despite her embarrassment, she attempts to maintain her composure, but Sydney’s taunts escalate, leading to a humiliating confrontation.

Simone’s moment of vulnerability is exploited as Sydney demands an apology, forcing her to kneel and submit to her authority. The situation intensifies when Lewis, a man from her past, enters the scene, revealing that he is now engaged to Sydney and has accused Simone of infidelity. The emotional turmoil crescendos as Lewis’s cruel words cut deep, leaving Simone feeling utterly betrayed and humiliated. The laughter of her colleagues amplifies her shame, culminating in her dismissal from the job she once cherished.

In the aftermath of her firing, Simone retreats into isolation, grappling with her sense of loss and despair. Her only solace comes from her friend Jasmine, who urges her to reclaim her strength and face the world. As they clean up Simone’s apartment, a flicker of hope begins to reignite within her. However, this brief resurgence of positivity is shattered when Simone discovers she is pregnant, a revelation that sends her spiraling into panic and uncertainty about her future.

Determined to find the man who had changed her life in one night, Simone visits the hotel where they met, but her efforts to locate him are thwarted by the receptionist’s refusal to help. Humiliated and feeling more alone than ever, she returns home, confronting her childhood traumas and the loneliness that has haunted her. Yet, amidst the despair, she finds a glimmer of joy in her pregnancy, vowing to protect her unborn child.

Ultimately, Simone makes the bold decision to leave New York behind and seek refuge with Sister Willow, a figure from her past who represents hope and stability. As she boards a bus to Los Angeles, she embraces the uncertainty of her future, ready to carve out a new path and face whatever challenges lie ahead with newfound determination.

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**Shattered Dreams Find Light by Niro Dane Frost**

**Chapter 4**

Simone hurried through the back entrance of Cardinal Media House, her heart pounding with a blend of anxiety and exhilaration. The moment she slipped inside, unnoticed by her colleagues, a heavy sigh escaped her lips. It was rare for her to be late for work, and the reason for her tardiness still lingered vividly in her mind—a night filled with passion and intimacy with a man who had captivated her heart in a way she never thought possible.

As the memories of his touch and the warmth of his kiss washed over her, a blush crept up her cheeks, igniting a spark of longing deep within.

“It was just a one-night stand,” she chastised herself internally, quickening her pace toward the bustling newsroom, where the air was thick with the hum of activity and urgency.

Just as she thought she had evaded scrutiny, she collided with someone, the impact jolting her from her reverie.

“Well, well, if it isn’t the almost-news editor,” a mocking voice rang out, dripping with sarcasm.

Simone froze, her heart sinking. It was Sydney.

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she forced a polite smile, though it felt like a mask. “Good morning, Sydney.”

“It’s Editor Sydney,” Sydney corrected, stepping closer, her eyes glinting with a malicious delight.

The sting of the correction pierced through Simone, but she fought to mask her discomfort. “Of course,” she replied, slowly backing away, desperate to escape the confrontation. “Excuse me, I have work to do.”

She pivoted toward the journalists’ wing, but as soon as she stepped inside, a wave of dread washed over her. The lively chatter and rhythmic clacking of keyboards came to an abrupt halt, and every gaze in the room turned toward her.

Her cheeks flamed with embarrassment, but she steeled herself. They all knew what had transpired the previous night, yet she refused to give them the satisfaction of seeing her falter.

“Morning,” she greeted, her voice steady as she made her way cautiously to her cubicle, each step feeling heavier than the last.

Before she could even settle in, Sydney’s voice sliced through the silence like a knife. “How dare you walk out on your boss?”

Simone spun around, panic surging through her. “Sydney—”

Her colleagues were already gathering, their eyes gleaming with anticipation, eager for the unfolding drama. Simone swallowed hard, searching the crowd for Jasmine, her only ally in this hostile environment. But Jasmine was nowhere to be found.

“Let’s not do this,” she implored softly, her voice barely above a whisper, a plea for mercy.

Sydney, sensing the vulnerability radiating from Simone, reveled in it. “I asked you a question, and you disrespect me?”

“I didn’t disrespect you,” Simone protested, her voice trembling. “I said I had work.”

“If you were truly as dedicated as you claim, you wouldn’t have shown up late,” Sydney snapped, her tone dripping with disdain. “Or are you still wallowing in sorrow because you’re not the editor?”

“No,” Simone stammered, her resolve crumbling under the weight of the accusation.

“Then get on your knees and apologize.”

Gasps echoed around the room, and Simone’s eyes widened in disbelief, her heart racing.

Before she could respond, Jasmine rushed to her side, her expression fierce. “Sydney, that’s enough. You can’t possibly—”

“If you value your job, you’d better step aside,” Sydney interrupted coldly, her gaze unwavering as she turned back to Simone. “Well?”

“But you’re not in charge of hiring and firing,” Jasmine retorted defiantly, her voice steady.

Sydney frowned, crossing her arms over her chest. “Wanna bet?”

Simone knew Jasmine was capable of standing up to Sydney, but the stakes were high. Neither of them could afford to lose their jobs, and the uncertainty of Sydney’s threats loomed large.

With a heavy heart, Simone let out a resigned sigh and sank to her knees, the humiliation washing over her like a tidal wave.

“I’m sorry,” she murmured, her voice barely audible, each word feeling like a weight pressing down on her.

Sydney’s grin widened, a predator sensing victory. “Sorry for what?”

Shame burned like fire beneath Simone’s skin. “I’m sorry, Editor Sydney.”

Sydney circled her like a hawk stalking its prey. “Boss is just fine.”

The mischief in Sydney’s gaze sliced through Simone’s spirit, but she knew better than to fight back. She had succumbed to the humiliation, and the weight of it felt unbearable.

“I’m sorry… boss,” Simone managed, her throat tight with emotion.

“Great,” Sydney exclaimed, clapping her hands together. Delight danced in her eyes as she nudged Jasmine with her shoulder, reveling in the spectacle.

Before Simone could rise, Nate and Lewis strode in, their expressions a mix of confusion and concern.

“What’s going on here?” Nate demanded, his voice authoritative, cutting through the tension like a knife.

Heat flooded Simone’s cheeks as she braced herself for the inevitable fallout.

“She came late,” Sydney said, her voice suddenly meek, as if the tables had turned. “When I questioned her, she pushed me and stormed off. Now she’s pretending to be innocent.”

Lewis stepped forward, fury etched across his features. “How dare you hit my fiancée?”

Simone’s heart dropped, her eyes wide with shock. “Your what?”

Sydney smirked triumphantly, her victory complete. “Fiancée. And soon to be the mother of his child.”

Simone’s stomach plummeted, her world spinning out of control. “Lewis… this is a joke, right? You not only cheated, but you got her pregnant?”

Lewis’s lips curled into a scornful smile, his eyes cold. “I think you should look in the mirror to see who the real cheat is.” He turned to address the room, his voice booming with false bravado. “I left her because she cheated on me!”

Simone shook her head, disbelief etched across her face. “No! That’s a lie. I never—”

“How about the man you followed yesterday?” he shot back, his words like daggers piercing through her.

Her heart raced as her thoughts drifted to the stranger from that night. Shame should have consumed her, but instead, a wave of desire washed over her, mingled with guilt for having left him.

“This bitch cheated on me,” Lewis continued, pulling Sydney closer to him, as if to stake his claim. “But my baby was there to heal me.”

What was happening? Was Lewis marrying Sydney merely because she was pregnant?

“Why, Lewis?” she managed to ask, her voice trembling with disbelief and hurt.

Lewis stepped closer, his eyes filled with contempt. “Because you are nothing but an ordinary orphan. Just look at you compared to Sydney,” he pointed at her, a sneer on his lips. “She’s now the CEO of my mother’s company, and I can’t let a pauper like you ruin my reputation.”

Each word dripped with venom, slicing through Simone’s heart like a knife. Sydney’s laughter echoed in the background, pushing Simone to the brink of tears.

“Miss Sacks has been sacked,” Sydney added with a mocking laugh, and the entire room erupted in laughter, amplifying Simone’s humiliation.

Jasmine rushed to her side, but Nate’s voice cut through the chaos. “You have disrespected your boss, Simone. That is unacceptable. Pack your things. You’re fired.”

“But I didn’t—” Simone gasped, her voice barely above a whisper, the reality of her situation crashing down on her.

“Pack your things!” Nate barked, his tone leaving no room for argument.

“Fired!” Lewis echoed, his laughter ringing in her ears like a cruel melody.

“Miss Sacks has been sacked,” Sydney repeated, her glee infectious as the laughter spread throughout the room, mocking her further.

Humiliation enveloped her like a heavy cloak. Jasmine grasped her hand, but the weight of the stares, the mockery, and the betrayal was too much to bear. Without a word, she fled, her heart shattering with each step.

Days melted into weeks as Simone retreated into the confines of her apartment, ignoring the calls and texts that buzzed incessantly, her world shrinking to the four walls that surrounded her.

One morning, just as she was about to indulge in a bowl of ice cream and binge-watch her favorite show yet again, the door burst open, interrupting her solitude.

“What on earth is that smell?” Jasmine exclaimed, wrinkling her nose as she stepped inside, her eyes scanning the disarray.

Simone didn’t respond, her gaze fixed on the TV, the glow of the screen her only companion.

Jasmine marched over and switched off the screen, her expression firm. “Enough, Simone. I gave you time to grieve, but this is getting ridiculous.”

“Move,” Simone said flatly, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. “My show is starting.”

Instead of leaving, Jasmine settled beside her, her expression softening. “I’m sorry you lost your job. I’m sorry about everything, but you can’t live like this. Please.”

Finally, Simone met Jasmine’s gaze. The worry etched on her forehead twisted something deep within Simone, flooding her with guilt. “I have nothing left, Jas.”

Jasmine pulled her into a tight embrace. “Don’t say that. You have me, and we’ll get through this together. Don’t let them have the power to keep you down. You’re stronger than this. You are a badass; show them.”

For the first time in weeks, a flicker of hope ignited in Simone’s chest, a tiny flame against the darkness that had engulfed her.

“Yes,” she whispered, a newfound determination coursing through her veins.

Jasmine’s face brightened. “But first, let’s tidy up this mess.”

They spent the next few hours cleaning, transforming the chaos into a semblance of order. Afterward, Jasmine whipped up a delicious meal of macaroni and cheese with crispy bacon. Laughter filled the air as they ate and watched TV, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, Simone felt almost human again.

“I’m staying the night,” Jasmine declared, clearing the dishes with a sense of finality. “No arguments.”

That night, as Jasmine drifted into a peaceful sleep, Simone found herself racing to the bathroom, retching violently.

It must be the cheese, she thought, trying to rationalize the sudden wave of nausea that gripped her.

But when the vomiting didn’t cease all morning, a creeping fear settled in her stomach. The following day, she reluctantly visited the doctor, her heart pounding with trepidation.

“Congratulations, ma’am, you are two weeks pregnant,” the doctor said gently, his tone soothing as he delivered the news. “In this early stage, it’s important to—”

Simone zoned out, panic gripping her heart, drowning out his words.

Pregnant! She wanted to scream, the reality crashing down on her like a tidal wave.

Her mind flashed to the stranger—the man who haunted her dreams. He was the last person she had been with, and she was certain he had used a condom.

So how was she pregnant?

Abruptly, she stood up, her breath quickening. “Excuse me, doctor,” she said, her voice shaking as she walked toward the door, desperation clawing at her insides.

“You’ll need to start antenatal care as soon as possible,” the doctor called after her, concern lacing his words.

Once outside, the nausea hit her hard, making her double over and vomit until her throat burned. Trembling, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

What was she supposed to do now?

She had no job, barely any savings, and Jasmine had been her only support. And now, a baby?

Her hand instinctively moved to her stomach, a mix of fear and unexpected joy swirling within her. If only she could find him—the scar-faced stranger who had turned her world upside down.

And then it struck her.

The hotel.

He had mentioned that he often stayed there. A glimmer of hope distracted her from the panic as she hurriedly made her way there, each step fueled by a desperate need for answers.

At the reception, she approached the counter, tapping it nervously. “Hello, I’m here to see a guest.”

“Name, please!” the red-haired receptionist smiled politely, her tone professional but distant.

Simone felt her face heat up in embarrassment. “I… I don’t have his name.”

The receptionist’s smile faded slightly, and Simone’s heart sank. “Then I’m sorry, but I can’t help you.”

Finding a stranger sounded absurd, but she wasn’t ready to give up.

“He has a scar across his face,” she gestured, desperation creeping into her voice, her eyes pleading for understanding.

For a brief moment, the receptionist’s eyes sparkled with recognition, and Simone’s heart leapt in hope.

“You know him,” she urged, her voice trembling with anticipation.

But then, the receptionist’s expression hardened, her demeanor shifting. “I’m sorry, ma’am. I can’t help you.”

“Please. It’s important,” Simone pleaded, her voice rising in urgency.

“Don’t make me call security,” the receptionist warned, her tone turning icy.

“Please,” Simone begged, her heart racing with panic.

“Security!” the receptionist barked, her patience wearing thin.

Before Simone could comprehend what was happening, she was forcibly escorted out by two burly men, their grip firm and unyielding.

Humiliation coursed through her veins as she trudged home, each step feeling heavier than the last. Even if she found him… what then? How could she tell him she was pregnant after just one night? He might not even remember her.

That night, Simone cried, the weight of her loneliness crashing down around her.

Growing up in an orphanage and moving through several foster homes until she was finally adopted by the Sacks at sixteen, she had always felt alone.

Now, that loneliness hit her harder than ever. She couldn’t reach out to the Sacks; the last thing she needed was a reminder that their last name was the only gift she would ever receive from them.

Simone wrapped her arms protectively around her stomach, and an unexpected joy swelled in her heart.

She had a child, and for the first time in her life, she wasn’t alone.

That realization filled her with strength, and in that moment, she vowed to protect her baby, no matter the cost.

Two days later, when Jasmine came over, lamenting about how difficult things had become, Simone knew it was time to take action.

Beneath her bed, where she had stashed her old belongings, she pulled out a worn jotter and searched through its pages for a familiar number. When she found it, she dialed with trembling fingers.

“Hello? Sister Willow. Did you mean what you said? That I’ll always have a home with the sisters?”

“Simone?” Willow’s voice rose in surprise, instantly recognizing her. “Yes, child. Always.”

Relief surged through Simone, and tears filled her eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

After hanging up, she packed her bag quietly, the weight of her decision settling on her shoulders, and penned a heartfelt farewell letter to Jasmine, knowing she needed to find her own path.

By dawn, Simone boarded the cheapest bus to Los Angeles, leaving behind New York and her shattered dreams, ready to embrace whatever lay ahead.

Conclusion

In the aftermath of turmoil, Simone’s journey takes a transformative turn as she embraces her newfound strength and the unexpected joy of impending motherhood. The humiliation she faced at Cardinal Media House, once a source of despair, becomes a catalyst for her resilience. With the support of her friend Jasmine and the promise of a safe haven with Sister Willow, Simone recognizes that her past does not define her future. Instead of succumbing to the weight of her shattered dreams, she chooses to forge a new path, one that holds the potential for growth and healing. The flicker of hope ignited within her heart becomes a guiding light, illuminating the way forward.

As the bus rolls away from New York, Simone feels a mix of fear and exhilaration. Leaving behind the echoes of laughter that once mocked her, she steps into the unknown with determination. The baby growing inside her is not just a reminder of her past but a symbol of her strength and resilience. With each mile that separates her from her former life, she sheds the weight of judgment and embraces the possibility of a brighter future. In this new chapter, she is not just an orphan or a victim of circumstance; she is a mother, ready to protect and nurture the life she carries. The shattered pieces of her dreams may have scattered, but in their place, she finds the light of hope, ready to embrace the love and challenges that await her.

What to Expect in Next Chapter?

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

In the upcoming chapter, Simone will embark on a journey of self-discovery as she navigates the complexities of her unexpected pregnancy and the emotional turmoil left in the wake of her tumultuous experiences at Cardinal Media House. With her heart heavy yet hopeful, she will confront the reality of her choices and the uncertain future that lies ahead. As she settles into her new life in Los Angeles, she will be faced with the challenge of finding her footing in a city that feels both foreign and filled with possibilities. Will she find the strength to embrace her new identity as a mother, or will the ghosts of her past continue to haunt her?

Simone’s path will intertwine with new characters who may offer support, friendship, or even fresh challenges. With each encounter, she will be forced to confront her fears and insecurities, pushing her to grow in ways she never anticipated. As she seeks to uncover the truth about the man from her past, the mysterious stranger who altered the course of her life, readers can expect tension and intrigue to build. Will Simone be able to find him and share the life-changing news of their child, or will the shadows of her past continue to loom over her? The next chapter promises to deliver emotional depth, unexpected twists, and the resilience of a woman determined to reclaim her life and dreams.