"Remington, con, Shirley is a grown woman now, busy planning her wedding and all. Making her kneel in the ancestral hall for so long at a tlike this? If word gets out, what will the Taylors think of her? Your sister could end up being ridiculed and looked down upon even before she's married! Mrs. Dashiell, I'm begging you, let's talk this out like a family. How about I apologize on Shirley's behalf, and you let her get up?" On the other end of the phone, Shirley's mother, Mrs. Dashiell's voice quickly cthrough.
Remington's patience was already thinning, and he replied with a cold voice, "Instead of pleading with me, you might want to have a chat with her about her actions. Let's make sure she learns her lesson well before she causes any real trouble, so she doesn't get sent back from the Taylors and beca laughing stock." Mrs. Dashiell was clearly taken aback by Remington's blunt words.
After a deep breath, she bit back, "Remington, it's just a little spat between Shirley and Lizetta, just girls being girls. Was it really necessary to make such a big deal out of it? We're all family here. It's not right to make your own cousin suffer over an outsider." It was obvious that Mrs. Dashiell had already spoken to Shirley.
Lizetta knew Shirley too well to expect her to tell the truth. Shirley had always been skilled at playing the victim and minimizing her faults in front of the elders.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtLizetta scoffed silently. She didn't want Remington to have to fight this battle for her, to face family turmoil on her behalf.
That would make her feel indebted to Remington, something she wanted to avoid. She leaned over, attempting to take the phone from Remington to speak with Mrs. Dashiell herself.
Just then, as she leaned in, the car suddenly swerved sharply.
Lizetta lost her balance, her fingers grazed the phone, brushing lightly along Remington's jawline before touching his lips.
And then, Lizetta found herself collapsing onto his lap.
Lying there, somewhat dazed, Lizetta didn't immediately realize the tension in the air until she felt the muscles of Remington's thighs tense under her, almost as if they were about to burst through his suit pants. His body's warmth seeped into her cool fingertips.
Suddenly, Lizetta snapped back to reality and tried to push herself up.
But just as she did, the car dodged another obstacle, and she fell back down.
Above her was Remington's heavy gaze, his fragrance becoming more overpowering.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Dashiell's voice, full of resentment and sarcasm, continued from the phone.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Remington, you need to move on from the divorce. Holding onto every little thing Lizetta does, that just shows you still have feelings for our family She's not coming back you. Why bother? I know plenty of sweet and understanding girls, I could set you up on sdates..."
Remington's gaze remained fixed on Lizetta, sprawled across his lap, her hair cascading around her. His heart thudded against his chest, his emotions fluctuating.
He barely listened until Mrs.
Dashiell's last sentence, which he cut off with a sudden, sydden, licy a fone, "No need.
I've already seen the best; your suggestions don't interest me." With those cold words, he didn't give Mrs. Dashiell a chance to plead further, ending the intrusive call.
At the stime, he gently helped Lizetta to sit up.
As Lizetta adjusted herself, Remington's words, "I've already seen the best," lingered by her ear, his voice unexpectedly soft and warm, brushing past her ear and straight to her heart.