The man's voice was thick with grievance, looking exactly like a massive,

affectionate dog begging for attention.

Lizetta's eyes softened with a warm smile as she cupped his handsome face in her hands.

"I love you. Of course I love you."

Remington froze completely. The blood beneath his skin seemed to ice over for a split second before boiling furiously and rushing straight to his heart.

His heart pounded so violently against his ribs it felt as though it might shatter his chest, desperate to show her that it beat entirely for her, desperate to prove just how devastatingly powerful her words were.

His gaze grew dark and incredibly intense. His Adam's apple bobbed heavily. It took him a long moment to find his voice.

"Say it again. I think I was hallucinating."

Lizetta had no intention of repeating herself so easily. She leaned close to his ear, and under Remington's desperately expectant gaze, she whispered.

"Boyfriend, you definitely were hallucinating."

Remington pulled back, thoroughly dissatisfied. "Say it again, hurry up!"

"No way. If I say it too much, it loses its value."

You can't eat all the candy at once; it's much better to have a piece every now and then to keep the surprise alive.

After delivering her verdict, Lizetta rolled over.

Her body was still incredibly weak, and utter exhaustion washed over her.

Remington wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her soft body firmly into his embrace. He pressed his lips against the back of her ear and whispered hoarsely.

"Liz, I love you too."

A wave of electrifying warmth rushed from Lizetta's ear straight to her heart, enveloping her entire body.

She finally understood why Remington had been so desperate for her to say it again just moments ago.

It felt so surreal, almost like a hallucination.

She realized that even if he said those words a hundred times a day, she would never get sick of hearing them; every single time would feel like a beautiful surprise.

Lizetta's emotions swelled. Listening to the steady rhythm of the man's breathing behind her, feeling the solid, radiating warmth of his chest against her back, tears slowly pooled in her eyes.

After a long silence, she spoke in a soft murmur.

"Remington, you have no idea how long I've waited to hear you say that, or how painfully agonizing the wait was..."

Lizetta's voice caught in her throat. She let out a shaky breath and continued.

"I love you. I've only ever loved you, and I've loved you for so many years. What took you so long to say it?"

Her voice trembled slightly, laced with a hint of grievance that sounded far more like affectionate pouting than actual anger.

However, when she finished speaking, the man behind her didn't respond at all.

Lizetta paused, gently rolling over, only to find that his breathing was already deep and even.

In just those few moments, he had fallen fast asleep.

His handsome face was peaceful and completely unguarded in sleep, yet he still looked profoundly exhausted.

His thick, long lashes rested against his cheeks, hiding the intense, dominating gaze that usually defined him and casting soft shadows over the dark circles beneath his eyes.

He had stayed awake for two solid days and nights, refusing to close his eyes until he knew she was safe.

Lizetta's heart ached for him. She reached up, gently brushing a stray lock of hair away from his forehead, then snuggled deeper into his chest, wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, and closed her eyes.

Lizetta quickly drifted off to sleep.

Meanwhile, at the police station.

Andrea felt like she was losing her mind. Her hair was a tangled mess as she sat in the interrogation room, having been mercilessly questioned by relays of detectives for nearly twenty-four hours straight

They refused to let her sleep, taking turns hammering her with the exact same

questions over and over again without a single moment of rest.

Andrea vehemently denied everything, swearing she had done absolutely nothing, but the police refused to let her go.

"Officers, I swear to God I haven't

even seen Jolin! Yes, she's my biological mother, but we have absolutely zero emotional connection.Why would I ever order her to kill someone? I swear @didn't

वन..."

do it..."