Shattered Illusions Love Lies and Redemption (Lizetta and Remington) novel Chapter 1047

The man's handsome face was etched with absolute exhaustion. His deep eyes were completely bloodshot, and a thick layer of stubble covered his jawline. It wasn't just a faint shadow anymore; it was a rough, dark, coarse beard. He looked incredibly disheveled and ragged—a side of him Lizetta had never seen before. Dumbfounded, Lizetta blinked and weakly reached out to touch his face. "Ugh, you look so old and ugly now... makes me not want to wake up..." As soon as she spoke, she realized how horribly raspy her voice sounded. She didn't know how long she had been unconscious, but it had definitely been more than a day. Remington was speechless. He never imagined that the very first words out of her mouth after opening her eyes would be an insult. He pressed her hand against his cheek and deliberately rubbed against it. His coarse stubble scraped mercilessly against her soft, delicate palm and fingers, sending a prickling, ticklish sensation through her skin. It was uncomfortable, yet so undeniably real. Lizetta couldn't help but curl her fingers, a faint smile touching her lips even as her eyes welled up with tears. A storm of emotions hit her. The sheer terror and panic of drowning in that enclosed space washed over her again like a tidal wave. "You little ingrate. I watched over you for two days and two nights without even changing my clothes, and you have the nerve to call me old and ugly, huh?" Remington reached out and gently pinched her cheek. Lizetta reached up, softly tracing the dark bags under his bloodshot eyes. So, she had been out cold for two full days and nights. No wonder he looked so worn out. Had he really stayed by her side the entire time? Her eyes shimmered with tears, her lips trembling slightly. "I was just kidding. Even if you turn into a silver-haired old man, you'll still be the most handsome guy around." She smiled, but the tears silently rolled down her cheeks. They were tears of pure joy, the overwhelming relief of surviving a disaster and getting to see him again. The sharp ache in Remington's chest intensified, especially when he remembered diving into the freezing lake and swimming toward her sinking car. Through the glass, he had seen her trapped in that claustrophobic cabin, her eyes closed, looking completely devoid of life. At that moment, he felt as if his own soul had been dragged into the abyss. The bone-chilling terror had nearly driven him insane. He had smashed the window, pulled her out, and tried to give her air underwater, but she had remained entirely unresponsive. By the time he dragged her to the shore to perform CPR, his vision had been entirely blurred by panic. He had truly believed he was a second too late. He had believed he was going to lose her forever, that his tactical error had cost her life. Refusing to dwell on that nightmare any longer for fear he would lose his mind and frighten her, Remington leaned in close. He gently kissed away the tears at the corners of her eyes, his voice thick with emotion. "You scared me to death. How are you going to compensate me?" Lizetta wrapped her arms around his neck, unable to speak around the lump in her throat. She could feel his tall, broad frame trembling slightly against hers. He wasn't exaggerating. He really had been terrified. Patting his back soothingly, she whispered into his ear. "Don't be scared, Remi. You saved me." Remington pulled back slightly and looked down at her. "I saved you?" Lizetta thought he looked a bit goofy and endearing right now, so she nodded emphatically with a bright smile. But then Remington smirked. "So, how exactly does Miss Madden plan on repaying a life-saving debt?" Lizetta's eyes crinkled with amusement. Refusing to play along with his suggestive tone, she tilted her chin up defiantly. "A boyfriend saving his girlfriend is only natural. It seems my boyfriend lacks a sense of duty. I'm leaving a negative review." She reached up and playfully drew an 'X' on his handsome cheek. Remington's eyes darkened with affection. Catching her small hand in his, he murmured, "But boyfriends need rewards too, Miss Madden." Lizetta instinctively squeezed his hand back, but immediately noticed something felt wrong. Frowning, she looked down at his right hand.