Raegan felt her anxiety rise under his unwavering hold.

“Let me get out, please. I'm running late."

"Why the rush?" Mitchel asked, his eyes locking with hers for a moment before he leaned in closer.

In the confined space of the car, their faces were close. Raegan could see every detail of his dark eyes, fringed with thick lashes.

His eyes captured the light of the street lamps, shimmering like stars in a vast sky.

Suddenly, Raegan's heart began to beat furiously as if it might leap out of her chest.

Time appeared to stretch, turning their imminent kiss into a prolonged scene, their lips nearing each other to almost nothing.

Raegan was stunned, realizing too late she should have avoided this situation.

But now they were too close, the air around them charged, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and chaos.

Right before their lips could touch, Mitchel pulled back, his voice a low murmur in her ear, "Wish us a happy life."

A low, resonant chuckle emanated from the depths of his throat.

Raegan's face flushed with embarrassment. Mitchel must have intended to tease her. He had effectively seized every opportunity to tease her.

Feeling both embarrassed and irritated, Raegan quickly opened the car door. Without saying a word or even looking his way, she swiftly exited and walked away.

In the hospital ward.

Jarrod's intense gaze was fixed on Nicole's pale face. He watched her without blinking, lost in thought.

If Nicole could see him now, she might mock him for feigning deep emotion.

But it was only in these quiet moments, with Nicole asleep, that Jarrod let his guard down and showed his true feelings.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed, breaking the silence.

Stepping into the corridor to answer, Jarrod learned from Alec that two women who hurt Nicole were released on bail by their families.

The two women were Howe's people.