Abruptly, Henley hit the brakes.

The sudden stop propelled Raegan forward, her head colliding with the passenger seat's shield.

With bloodshot eyes, Henley turned to Raegan, demanding, "What did you just say?"

Raegan, clutching her throbbing head, revealed, “Henley, I remarried Mitchel yesterday. He's bound to come looking for me."

Silence engulfed the car.

The gentleness on Henley's face dissolved into a dark shadow.

He fixed his gaze on her, questioning, "Why?"

Raegan, intimidated by his demeanor, attempted to stay composed.

“He's the father of my child. He'll definitely come looking for me."

Henley's face grew icy. He grasped her chin abruptly, his tone bitter, "He caused you so much pain, and you lost a child. Have you forgotten?"

His grip tightened menacingly. "I overlooked your pregnancy, thinking it was unplanned. But to remarry him?"

Tears sprung from Raegan's eyes, pain evident in her expression.

Henley's grasp was unyielding, his words sharp, “Do all women relish in being so demeaned?"

At that moment, Henley saw in Raegan a reflection of his crazy mother, one who, like Raegan, failed to value his affection.

He had intended to treat them kindly.

Why? Why did they push him to such extremes?

Henley's expression momentarily faltered, twisting into something grotesque, reminiscent of a creature emerging from a grave. It was as if he mistook Raegan for someone else.

His hands tightened around her neck, the pressure increasing.

Raegan began shaking violently, her face turning ghostly white. She clawed at Henley's arm, leaving a bloody mark, and cried out, "Henley!

Snap out of it!"