Yet, Raegan slightly bowed her head and dodged Mitchel's kiss. She tenderly pinched Janey's cheek, gently placed her on the ground, and said with a smile, “I told you I'm fine. Now go wash your hands and join us for breakfast."

Although Janey felt a little letdown, the thought of having breakfast with Mitchel made her happy. She eagerly replied, “Okay, mommy."

The moment Janey stepped out, Raegan's smile disappeared, and she asked with a cold tone, "Mitchel, what do you really want?"

That barrier Raegan put up, that distance, tugged at Mitchel's heartstrings, causing him a deep, raw ache. With a raspy voice, he replied, "I just want to have breakfast with Janey."

Raegan saw right through his act. It was clear as day that he was using Janey as an excuse to be near her.

With a frosty expression, Raegan stated, “Mitchel, I only agreed to let you pick up and drop off Janey for school, but not to barge into our lives whenever you please."

The way she said "our" clearly left Mitchel, the father, out in the cold.

His voice dry with emotion, Mitchel earnestly said, “Raegan, I really want to spend more time with Janey. I've missed out on five years and I can't afford to lose another moment. I want to cherish every chance I get to see her."

Of course, it wasn't just about Janey. Mitchel longed to see Raegan.

He even wished the three of them could reunite as a family. Yet, he kept these thoughts to himself, knowing how difficult it was to even get this close. If he mentioned it, Raegan might refuse to let him even glance at Janey's face.

Raegan knew Mitchel's words made sense. Besides, he had promised not to fight with her over Janey's custody, rendering her with no grounds to prevent the father-daughter encounters. Thus, despite her wish to steer clear from Mitchel, she had allowed Mitchel to interact with Janey, knowing how much merrier Janey was with Mitchel being around.

After wrestling with her thoughts for a moment, Raegan ended the conversation by demanding, “Leave after you've eaten."

A wave of sorrow hit Mitchel, his brows furrowing.

Amid the breakfast with Mitchel sitting next to her, Janey was exceptionally energetic.

Raegan poured a glass of Janey's favorite milk for her.

Janey didn't hesitate to share half the milk with Mitchel, her voice filled with sweetness. "Daddy, you should try this. It's my favorite."

Recalling Mitchel's distaste for milk, Raegan interjected, "Janey, he doesn't enjoy milk..."

Raegan stopped mid-sentence, her face suddenly flushing red. Damn it!

Why was she concerned about his taste in food? Why did she still remember his preferences so clearly?

Caught off guard, Mitchel smiled and accepted the milk, drinking it with elegance.