Lizetta blinked, her curiosity piqued about thetter part of the conversation.


    Her phone started buzzing incessantly, and Jerome, noticing her distraction, simply shrugged and said, "It''s all irrelevant now. Better answer that call."


    "Right, right," Lizetta replied, letting the matter drop as she turned away, picking up the phone as she did.


    No sooner had she put the phone to her ear than a gruff male voice came through from the other end.


    "What were you up to? Took you long enough to pick up."


    Lizetta gave a yful huff, "If you think I took too long, I could always hang up and let you try again."


    Remington fell silent at her teasing, leaving Jerome to watch from the dining room doorway. He observed as she ascended the stairs, her voice carrying back, lively and confident, tinged with an unmistakable charm. A wry smile tugged at his lips.


    He hadn''t slept much the previous night, keenly aware of the car parked outside that hadn''t moved. He knew Remington was worried about the storm and whether the thunder would frighten Lizetta. It was a concern he shared, fearing she might need someone tofort her during the night.


    Yet he realized


    however btedly-that even if she needed someone, that


    someone was never going to be him.


    Upstairs, Lizetta sat cross-legged on her bed, finally daring to examine the delicate ne Remington had given her.


    "Do you like it? My little surprise for you."


    "It''s beautiful, but it looks so delicate and fragile, like something that belongs in a disy case, not around my neck."


    The ne featured an exquisite charm, intricately carved to


    resemble two intertwined roses, so lifelike they seemed to bloom as the light caught them. It was a


    piece, a masterpiece from


    renowned jeweler''s final collection.


    No wonder it had been the star of the auction. Remington must have spent a small fortune on it.


    "Who says it''s not meant to be worn? I''ll help you put it on myself next time."


    Remington''s voice was light and teasing, and Lizetta couldn''t help butugh. "I wouldn''t trust you with that."


    "Hey, since when did you doubt your big brother''s skills? Didn''t I always braid your hair beautifully back in the day?"


    His yful usation took Lizetta back to her childhood. In elementary school, Remington had styled her hair for an entire year tre could do buns and pigtails, and though his early attempts were clumsy, he eventually styled her hair with


    impressive finesse.


    Her eyes softened at the memory, a warm glow spreading through her. Carefully, she ced the ne back in its box. "Alright, I''ll wait for you to help me wear it then."


    Remington didn''t respond immediately, and Lizetta could hear his breathing grow slightly heavier. After a pause, he spoke again, his tone carrying a hint of nervousness. "Suddenly, I feel a bit anxious."


    Lizetta doubted his sincerity but felt a slight flutter in her stomach. She quickly changed the topic, asking, "You mentioned going to the auction to find a gift for Mr Temple''s birthday was that just an excuse to get this ne?"


    Remington chuckled, "Yes, Liz. Forty years ago, Grandpa gave Grandma a ne from Mr. Ethan Jade. I hope that forty years from now, I can still help you put this one on, just like Grandpa and Grandma."