Shattered Dreams Find Light by Niro Dane Frost 5

Shattered Dreams Find Light by Niro Dane Frost 5 Summary

In Chapter 3 of “Shattered Dreams Find Light,” Ethan’s exuberant greeting to Aunt Jasmine sets a joyful tone, contrasting sharply with Simone’s inner turmoil. As she navigates the crowded airport, her excitement is overshadowed by anxiety about returning to New York, a city filled with memories and unresolved issues. Despite her attempts to put on a brave face, the weight of her past looms large, and the drastic change in her appearance—dying her hair blonde—symbolizes her desire to blend in and escape her former life.

Simone’s reunion with Jasmine and Ethan brings fleeting moments of warmth and affection, but her heart remains heavy with secrets. The conversation shifts to her reasons for returning, revealing the tension between her professional aspirations and the fear that haunts her. While she tries to downplay her motivations, the truth about her dangerous past and the man who wants her dead hangs in the air, creating a palpable sense of dread. As they drive through New York, Simone’s sense of vulnerability deepens, especially when she notices a black SUV following them, triggering panic and fear for her safety and that of her son.

After a tense moment, the SUV veers off, but the relief is short-lived as Simone grapples with the implications of her choices. Her internal struggle becomes more pronounced when Jasmine presses her for the truth, highlighting the weight of Simone’s guilt and the burden of her secrets. Despite her determination to succeed as a blogger and provide for Ethan, the shadows of her past threaten to unravel her fragile sense of security. The chapter culminates in an unexpected twist when Simone encounters a man from her past, a figure who embodies the chaos she has tried to escape, forcing her to confront the reality of her situation.

Ultimately, the chapter captures a mix of emotions: joy, fear, nostalgia, and determination. Simone’s journey is one of resilience, as she strives to reclaim her narrative while protecting her son. The chapter ends on a note of resolve, with Simone recognizing that she must confront her past to carve out a brighter future for herself and Ethan. The interplay of light and darkness in her life serves as a powerful reminder of the strength required to transform shattered dreams into a source of hope.

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

**Chapter 3**

“Aunt Jasmine!” Ethan’s voice rang out, full of uncontainable excitement as he dashed across the polished terminal floor, his small feet echoing against the tiles. His tousled brunette hair bounced with every enthusiastic step he took, a whirlwind of energy.

“Slow down, Ethan!” Simone called after him, her tone laced with a mix of concern and affection. Yet, her son was already a blur of joy, flinging himself into Jasmine’s welcoming arms, a smile stretching across his face.

Watching the joyful reunion unfold before her, Simone felt a swell of warmth in her chest, but it was quickly overshadowed by a tide of anxiety that threatened to pull her under. Her gaze darted nervously among the throngs of passengers disembarking from the plane, her heart racing as she searched for any familiar faces—any sign of comfort in this bustling chaos. But there was nothing—neither friendly smiles nor suspicious glances. Just the cold reality of her situation, which left her nerves frayed.

“Calm down,” she whispered to herself, her fingers gripping the handles of the two heavy suitcases she was dragging toward her family, her mind racing with thoughts she couldn’t quite articulate.

“I love your new look!” Jasmine exclaimed, pulling Simone into a warm embrace that felt like a lifeline.

Simone attempted to smooth her freshly dyed blonde hair, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Thanks, Jas,” she replied, the words feeling hollow.

With surprising ease, Jasmine hoisted one of the suitcases into the trunk of her shiny blue Honda. “Going from brunette to blonde is quite the leap. Is it the return to New York that’s got you feeling all jittery?”

While the thought of returning to New York indeed made Simone uneasy, it wasn’t the true reason behind her drastic transformation. Blending in was her primary goal, and the blonde hair was merely a mask, a shield against the past she desperately wanted to escape.

“Not at all,” she said lightly, attempting to deflect the conversation. “I just needed a little change.”

“Mummy’s hair is bright!” Ethan chimed in, his innocent enthusiasm a stark contrast to the turmoil swirling inside Simone.

“Yes, sweetheart, it is bright and beautiful,” Jasmine replied, affectionately ruffling Ethan’s hair, coaxing a giggle from him that was music to Simone’s ears—a reminder of the joy that kept her going amidst the chaos of her life.

As they stepped out into the crisp New York air, the chill brushed against Simone’s face, stirring a potent mix of nostalgia and apprehension in her stomach. It had been years since she had left this city, pregnant and with nothing but dreams. Now, she returned as a mother, a burgeoning blogger, her digital presence growing stronger with each passing day.

She was back, and although she hadn’t yet reached the pinnacle of success, she was climbing steadily. One story at a time, she intended to reclaim her place in this city that had once felt so hostile.

The thought brought her a flicker of relief, a small comfort amidst the turmoil swirling in her mind.

“This is us,” Jasmine announced with a flourish, coming to a stop in front of her car.

“Wow!” Simone gasped, her eyes lighting up in genuine surprise. “It’s even more stunning in person!”

“At least I gave you a heads-up about my new wheels,” Jasmine teased playfully, a grin spreading across her face as she began loading the trunk. “Unlike you.”

“It completely slipped my mind!” Simone retorted, a hint of defensiveness creeping into her voice as she opened the backseat for Ethan. “No messing up Aunt Jasmine’s car, okay? Promise?”

“Promise, Mummy!” Ethan declared, his sincerity shining through his bright eyes.

As she settled into the passenger seat, Simone took a moment to gather her thoughts, her heart heavy with the weight of unspoken truths. Jasmine joined her, and the silence between them felt charged, her mind racing with the guilt that pricked at her conscience.

A week after leaving New York, she had reached out to Jasmine, a mix of loneliness and guilt pushing her to make the call. It wasn’t that she was particularly lonely in Los Angeles, surrounded by the Sisters, but it was just different without Jasmine in her corner.

During that conversation, she had laid bare her soul, even revealing the night she had spent with a stranger. Since then, Jasmine had made it a point to check in with her weekly and visit at least twice a year. Simone felt indebted to her, yet Los Angeles was her battle to fight alone.

“How are you feeling?” Jasmine asked as she started the engine, her voice steady yet probing, as if she could see right through Simone’s facade.

Simone understood the underlying question all too well. “Good. It’s not as terrifying as I anticipated,” she admitted softly, trying to sound more confident than she felt.

“You still haven’t shared why you really came back,” Jasmine pressed, her tone serious, concern etched on her face.

“I got a job,” Simone replied, hoping to deflect the conversation, though the words felt like a flimsy shield against the truth.

“Not that, Simone,” Jasmine insisted, her eyes narrowing slightly, urging Simone to open up.

Simone sighed deeply, wrestling with the truth that clawed at her throat. She couldn’t bring herself to confess that she had exposed a dangerous man through her writing, with help from his ex-girlfriend, Becky. Now, that man wanted her dead.

Instead, she turned her gaze out the window, feigning interest in the scenery that held no real allure for her. “I was just tired of the L.A. blogging scene. Michelle Wilde needs my help. Perfect timing, right?”

Suddenly, Jasmine slammed on the brakes, the car jolting as horns blared angrily around them.

“Whoa! Easy there!” Simone gasped, gripping her seat for stability. She glanced back at Ethan, relieved to see he was unfazed by the sudden stop.

Jasmine, however, seemed oblivious to the chaos around them, her eyes wide with disbelief. “Michelle Wilde hired you?”

Simone felt a flicker of annoyance at Jasmine’s skepticism. “Yes! Why does everyone keep acting surprised?”

Jasmine resumed driving, brushing off the honking vehicles. “She’s the matriarch of the Wilde empire! The most influential family in the country right now!”

Simone frowned, feeling a sting at Jasmine’s words. She was aware of Michelle’s wealth; after all, only the affluent could afford to pay half a million to bury a scandal. She just hadn’t grasped the full extent of it.

“What are you implying? I’m a big deal in L.A.,” she defended herself, her pride flaring up. “It’s perfectly normal for her to want my expertise.”

“I’m just saying,” Jasmine trailed off, her tone softening. “You deserve this, babe.”

Simone turned away, her lips pressed tightly together. Helping Becky had put her in danger, but it had also propelled her into the spotlight. Her blog had exploded in popularity, gaining millions of followers, and even the chief of police had acknowledged her work. She was making a name for herself.

“I’m sorry,” Jasmine murmured, breaking the silence that had settled like a heavy fog.

Before Simone could respond, her heart sank as she noticed a black SUV in the rearview mirror, its presence sending a chill down her spine.

“We’re being followed,” she whispered, her voice trembling with fear.

“What? Why?” Jasmine’s voice rose in alarm, her eyes darting to the rearview mirror.

“Drive, Jas!” Panic gripped Simone’s chest like a vice.

“Mummy?” Ethan’s small voice came from the backseat, filled with innocent concern.

“It’s okay, baby,” she reassured him, struggling to keep her panic at bay, her heart racing.

Jasmine pressed down on the accelerator, the car speeding away as Simone dug her nails into the seat, her heartbeat pounding in her ears as the SUV drew closer. But then, to her relief, it veered off onto another street.

“False alarm,” she exhaled, her voice shaky yet relieved, though the aftershocks of fear still rippled through her.

Her heart pounded with a mix of relief and lingering shame.

“What the hell was that, Simone?” Jasmine demanded, her grip on the steering wheel tightening, her eyes filled with concern.

Simone remained silent until they reached Jasmine’s house, her thoughts swirling like a tempest.

She helped Ethan out of the car while Jasmine retrieved the suitcases from the trunk.

“I just made a mistake,” she finally admitted, avoiding Jasmine’s piercing gaze, feeling the weight of her secrets pressing down on her.

“If you’re in danger, you need to tell me. We have to go to the police,” Jasmine insisted, her concern palpable, etched on her face.

Simone nearly laughed at the absurdity of it all. The LAPD had been useless even when they knew the entire story; what could the NYPD possibly do?

“I’m fine,” she asserted firmly, though doubt crept into her voice.

She would be fine once she completed Michelle Wilde’s assignment, collected her payment, transformed Monan Blog into a household name, and found a way to treat Ethan’s anemia permanently.

With a smile, she lifted Ethan into her arms, his green eyes sparkling with excitement. “I’ll whip up something delicious for you, okay?”

“Cool!” he giggled, his joy infectious, lifting Simone’s spirits just a little.

They followed Jasmine inside, settling into the warmth of her home. Later, Simone sent a quick text to Sister Willow, informing her that she and Ethan had safely landed in New York. It was Willow and the other Sisters who had supported her back in L.A., and they frequently visited to help care for Ethan.

Simone’s chest tightened at the thought, but she quickly pushed it aside. She couldn’t risk putting the Sisters in danger too.

“Once Michelle Wilde pays me, I’m getting a place for Ethan and me,” she told Jasmine as she moved into her designated room, determination seeping into her voice.

Setting up her workspace, she took a moment to breathe deeply, trying to shake off the remnants of fear. As she relaxed, she reread Michelle’s message in her mind.

“My daughter Krissy made a minor mistake. I need you to use your influence to divert the news.”

Normally, Simone wouldn’t assist in covering up a DUI crash, but Michelle had been generous, and Simone was desperate.

Yes, Krissy Wilde had crashed into a jewelry store, but only because she had been fleeing from robbers that night. True, the incident might not have occurred if she hadn’t been drinking, but the facts remained unchanged.

Yet, like all propaganda, the media was only focused on the jewelry store incident. It was Simone’s responsibility to redirect that narrative.

She dove into her work, and after seven grueling days, she managed to shift the media’s focus from the robbers to the Wildes’ new contract.

A win was a win, and Michelle was so thrilled that she invited Simone to dinner.

On the night of the dinner, Simone slipped into a sleek black gown, the fabric clinging perfectly to her form, and styled her blonde hair with meticulous care, wanting to make a good impression.

Once she was ready, she leaned down to kiss Ethan goodnight, her heart swelling with love and pride, before heading out to meet Jasmine.

“If he wakes up—”

“I know what to do, girl,” Jasmine interrupted gently, her voice reassuring. “Now go.”

Simone embraced her before stepping out toward the Wilde mansion, her heart a mix of excitement and trepidation.

As she arrived, she gasped at the sight before her. The mansion loomed large, adorned with golden engravings that made it resemble a grand medieval castle, a testament to the power and wealth that resided within.

“Evening, Miss Sacks,” an older man in a crisp uniform greeted her at the entrance. “Mrs. Wilde is expecting you.”

Her nerves tightened as she followed him inside, where the opulence took her breath away. When the dining room doors swung open, Simone stepped into the lavish space, her heart racing.

“Oh, Simone Sacks,” a gentle voice called out, breaking through her reverie.

“Mrs. Wilde,” Simone replied, moving forward with a mix of excitement and apprehension, her heart pounding.

Michelle sat at the table, flanked by her daughter Krissy, who was engrossed in her phone, seemingly oblivious to the world around her.

“Please, have a seat,” Michelle gestured with a welcoming smile, then tossed a paper towel at Krissy. “Say hello to your savior.”

Krissy rolled her eyes, a look of disdain crossing her features. “She did her job, mother. She’s not a freaking savior.”

Simone offered a polite smile, trying to diffuse the tension that crackled in the air. “She’s got a point.”

Michelle waved her hand dismissively, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “Nonsense. You accomplished what no other New York blogger could.”

That was precisely why Michelle had sought her out.

Simone was curious about how Michelle knew her real name since Monan was her alias, but she decided against asking. Wealthy people, especially those in desperate situations, always found a way to uncover the truth.

“I’m going to pay you as promised,” Michelle continued, her gaze fixed on Simone with an intensity that made her heart race. “But I want you to be my family’s personal news manager. It’s ten times your current pay.”

Krissy slammed her hand on the table in frustration. “Mother! This is absurd! She just got lucky!”

Michelle ignored her daughter, her eyes still locked onto Simone. “Forgive my enthusiasm, Simone. I simply couldn’t wait until after dinner.”

Just as Simone was about to respond, the doors swung open, and two men stepped into the room, their presence commanding immediate attention.

Michelle’s face lit up with delight. “Perfect timing, boys.”

“Hello, Mother,” one of them greeted, his deep voice resonating through the room, sending a shiver down Simone’s spine.

She looked up, and her heart stopped in its tracks.

It was him—the stranger from that fateful night. The man with the scar.

The man who looked hauntingly like Ethan.

As the weight of the moment settled around her, Simone stood frozen, caught between the past and the present. The walls of the opulent dining room felt as if they were closing in, the laughter and chatter fading into an eerie silence that echoed her heart’s frantic beats. The man who had once been a fleeting shadow in her life now stood before her, a living reminder of the choices she had made and the chaos that had followed. In that instant, all her carefully constructed walls began to crack, revealing the vulnerability she had fought so hard to conceal. The bright future she had envisioned for herself and Ethan now felt precariously balanced on the edge of a knife, teetering between hope and fear.

Yet, amidst the turmoil, a flicker of resolve ignited within her. Simone realized that she had come too far to let the ghosts of her past dictate her future. She was not the scared girl who had fled New York years ago; she was a mother, a survivor, and a woman who had fought tooth and nail to reclaim her narrative. With Ethan’s laughter still ringing in her ears and Jasmine’s unwavering support bolstering her spirit, she took a deep breath, steeling herself for the confrontation ahead. It was time to confront her past and redefine her story, not just for herself but for Ethan, whose bright future depended on her strength. As the dining room buzzed around her, she felt a surge of determination; she would navigate this storm, and in doing so, she would transform her shattered dreams into a beacon of light.

Conclusion

In the face of uncertainty and fear, Simone stood at a pivotal crossroads, her heart racing with the weight of her past colliding with her present. The unexpected appearance of the man from her past sent waves of panic coursing through her veins, yet it also ignited a fierce determination within her. No longer was she the frightened girl who had fled New York, but a resilient mother who had carved out a space for herself in a world that had once seemed insurmountable. With Ethan’s laughter echoing in her mind and Jasmine’s unwavering support surrounding her, Simone found the strength to confront her fears head-on. The stakes had never been higher, but she was ready to reclaim her narrative and protect the future she envisioned for her son.

As she faced the man who represented her darkest moments, the flicker of hope within Simone grew brighter. She understood that her journey was not just about survival; it was about thriving and transforming her shattered dreams into something beautiful. The chaos of her life had shaped her into a warrior, and she was prepared to fight for the life she and Ethan deserved. With every heartbeat resonating with courage, she stepped forward, ready to confront the shadows of her past and illuminate the path ahead. In that moment, Simone embraced her truth, knowing that the light she sought was already within her, waiting to shine through the cracks of her broken dreams.

What to Expect in Next Chapter?

**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**

As Simone stands frozen in the opulent dining room, the air thick with tension and unspoken truths, readers can expect a whirlwind of revelations and confrontations in the upcoming chapter. The unexpected appearance of the man from her past, the one whose shadow looms over her every decision, will undoubtedly force Simone to confront not only her fears but also the precarious balance of her new life in New York. With the stakes higher than ever, the reader will be drawn into a gripping narrative where the past collides with the present, igniting a series of events that could alter the course of her and Ethan’s future forever.

Simone’s journey is about to take a thrilling turn as she navigates the complex dynamics of the Wilde family and the dark secrets that threaten to unravel the progress she has made. Will she find the courage to face the man who holds the key to her past, or will the shadows of her former life pull her back into a world of danger? As tensions rise and alliances are tested, readers will be left on the edge of their seats, eager to uncover how Simone will harness her newfound strength to reclaim her narrative and protect the ones she loves. Prepare for a chapter filled with suspense, emotional depth, and the relentless pursuit of redemption, as Simone fights not just for her dreams but for the bright future she envisions for Ethan.