Lizetta let go of the doorknob and swung around, fishing her phone out of her pocket.


    “Gotta give granny a ring.”


    Just as she’s about to dial, a man’s slender fingers swooped in and snatched the phone right out of her


    grasp.


    Lizetta looked up, locking eyes with Remington’s deep gaze; his lips were pressed together ever so


    slightly.


    “Is hanging with me really that unbearable?”


    Lizetta shook her head hastily, chuckling, “Nah, not at all.”


    But Remington can tell she’s fibbing. His brows knitted together briefly as he swallowed the frustration


    building inside him, and he spoke softly.


    “Let’s hold off on that call for a bit. Even if you do call her now, granny’s not gonna open the door for


    us.”


    Lizetta figured that he’s probably right and nodded in agreement.


    Silence fell over them again.


    Remington was still lounging in a loose–fitting bathrobe, leaving Lizetta clueless about where to rest


    her eyes. She pursed her lips.


    “Drink your tea first.


    But Remington stood his ground in front of her without budging an inch. Lizetta looked up, feeling


    puzzled, as a shadow fell over her.


    Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    It’s his hand brushing over her eyelids. Lizetta instinctively closed her eyes.


    “Do your eyes hurt?”


    Remington’s fingers gently grazed the reddened corners of her eyes.


    She’d been crying her heart out just moments ago, so her eyelids were now puffy.


    His touch tickled, causing Lizetta’s eyelids andshes to quiver. She twisted her head away from his


    touch and opened her eyes, beaming at him with a smile.


    “Nope, not hurting. I’m not that delicate.”


    But that’s a lie too.


    Remington’s hand fell to his side, his thumb and forefinger rubbing together as if they can still feel the


    damp softness of her eyelids.


    He remembered when she first came to the Dashiell family–tough yet silent.


    19:44


    Like a wounded little critter, always on edge, bracing herself against the world, never crying out even


    when hurt


    But she relied on him; she would curl up in his arms at night, sobbing, sharing her woes with him alone.


    He wasn’t exactly Mr. Nice Guy, because his patience was wearing thin often with her antics.


    Back then, he’d pat her head, and sometimes he would scold her with a stern face.


    “Get a grip, will ya? Can’t you stand up for yourself when you’re wronged? You’re embarrassing me.


    Next time, cut the brother act if you’re gonna be such a wimp.”


    He was tough on her, yet she’d just look at him with those teary eyes and smile like a goof.


    It melted his heart, making him want to shield her under his wings for life, and keep her hidden away


    from the world.


    But the sweet little girl had to grow up; with her thoughts growing moreplex, she no longer spilled


    them out to him.


    He couldn’t pinpoint when, but she began to hide herself from him, and the real talk dwindled; now she


    wouldn’t even show her vulnerability easily.


    Remington’s at a loss on how to cheer her up, unsure what to do with her.


    He pushed down the sour feeling in his heart, gently touching the top of her head, saying, “Go take a


    shower, change your clothes. You’re all wet.”


    Lizetta looked down and sure enough, she’s damp from being in his arms earlier in the


    bathroom.


    Not really in the mood to face Remington, she nodded and agreed, “Alright, just make sure to drink


    your tea, I’m off to shower.”


    Lizetta grabbed some fresh clothes and headed into the bathroom, where Remington’s shower scent


    still lingered, and the floor was still wet.


    She stood there a moment before starting to undress and wash up quickly.


    But when she stepped out of the bathroom, fresh and dressed, Remington’s nowhere to be


    seen in the room.


    An empty cup sat on the table–he’s had his tea.


    Lizetta walked up to the door and unlocked it.


    Weirdly, it’s still locked from the outside; clearly, Fiona didn’t let Remington out.


    What’s the deal?


    19:44


    Lizetta was pondering when a noise came from the window


    Drying her hair, she headed toward the sound


    Just as she got to the window, it suddenly swung open, a tall, swt shadow veted on the sill from outside


    “Ah Lizetta yelped, while stumbling backward iter slippers got omen in the carpet, and she toppled over