I'm her father!"

The past sorrows and complaints washed over Raegan Like a tidal wave, bringing heartache and torment throughout her body. Her eyes reddened, and she said emotionally, “Mitchel, Janey is my daughter. I brought her into this world by myself. I'd do anything to prevent you from taking her away from me!"

Overwhelmed by emotion, Raegan started coughing uncontrollably, her body shaking and her chest hurting.

Mitchel, worried, quickly stepped forward and wrapped her in his arms.

"I didn't mean it that way. I didn't mean to..

His heart ached uncontrollably, holding her shoulder, soothingly patting her back. “I haven't intended to take Janey away from you."

The warmth from Mitchel's broad palm and chest gradually eased Raegan's cough.

Yet, their hug suddenly seemed out of place considering how things stood between them.

Raegan tried to pull away, but Mitchel held her firmly.

"Raegan, let's stop making things hard for each other, alright?"

Mitchel tightened his hold on her, resting his chin on her head and breathing in her light, unique scent. Such a scent and embrace he longed for, how could he let go?

Gazing down at her delicate, lovely face, he murmured, almost like begging, "Let's give it another try. Think of it as a chance for me to make things right, to make amends to you and our daughter, alright?"

Seeing her still expressionless, he added hesitantly, “Could you consider it for Janey's sake? She needs me, right? Do you have the heart to see her ridiculed for not having a father?"

Mitchel thought back to when Janey cried to him about being mocked as fatherless on the playground. Those words had hit him hard back then. It was then he decided to treat Janey as his own daughter, despite his lack of knowledge Janey was actually his biological daughter at that time.

Now, realizing Janey was indeed his own, those memories pained him even more. Janey was the precious girl he had failed to protect well.

She never deserved to be ridiculed. With a touch of coldness in his voice, Mitchel said, “I can't just stand by and do nothing while Janey gets mocked for this."

Hearing this, Raegan smirked. Mitchel was still the same as before.

Only now, he offered a sweet date before a slap. In the end, he wanted not just Janey, but her as well, trying to get both of them.

Raegan forcefully pushed Mitchel away and looked up at him mockingly.

“Mitchel, are you threatening me?"