The woman turned at the disturbance.

Raegan's face drained of color as she recognized the woman.

Her voice, laced with deep-seated hatred, trembled, "Lauren Murray..."

Lauren turned, feigning surprise. "Raegan, what brings you here?" Her tone was calculated as if she owned the place.

Raegan's eyes, rimmed red with emotion, studied Lauren coldly.

Raegan couldn't help but notice Lauren's slightly protruding belly.

As a woman, Raegan recognized the signs of pregnancy, not merely weight gain.

Lauren's pale, drawn face made the pregnancy more pronounced.

A wave of fury washed over Raegan. Mitchel had deceived her all along! Lauren's being transferred to the mental hospital and Mitchel's alleged revenge for her sake were nothing but fake.

Here was Lauren, by Mitchel's side. Worse still, she was pregnant.

"Raegan, I've always wanted to apologize..." Lauren's eyes brimmed with tears. "I was naive and intrusive, always bothering Mitchel and upsetting you."

Her demeanor had shifted from arrogance to a feigned vulnerability.

But Raegan was not impressed at all, her eyes full of hatred.

Tessa's dying confession echoed in her mind. Lauren had been the one who orchestrated the killing of her last unborn child.

With icy resolve, Raegan struck Lauren across the face.

Lauren staggered, falling against the sofa.

"Ouch..." Lauren clutched her belly, grimacing in pain.

But Raegan, facing her directly, saw the truth.

The slap couldn't have caused such a dramatic reaction.

Lauren was playing the victim again, trying to frame Raegan.