Raegan's hand, which had been poised to open the door, stilled. The chaos of the moment had made her overlook the unpleasant realities and characters she wished to distance herself from. The mention of Luciana, Alexis, and the burdens of the past prompted a moment of introspection.

Raegan lowered her head. Why bother opening this door? Could there truly be a future for her with Mitchel? Reality echoed a resounding no.

All Raegan sought was tranquility, yet Mitchel's presence invariably disrupted her peace. Acknowledging the futility of holding on, she realized it was time to sever ties. Her visit was simply trying to see if he was okay. Beyond that, entangling herself further would only lead to distress.

Katie, observing Raegan's delicate face, suppressed her malicious urges. She issued a final warning, "Stay away from Mitchel. You're chasing illusions."

Raegan, undisturbed by Katie's venom, responded with serene defiance, "I wish you all the best then. May you truly receive what you're striving for, without ending up empty-handed.”

After her words, Raegan pivoted, leaving a stark silence in her wake.

The smirk that had confidently adorned Katie's face instantly crystallized into a mask of fury. “Stop! What are you implying?" she demanded, her voice laced with indignation.

“Miss Glyn, isn't it clear to you?" Raegan's reply came with a gentle smile, a stark contrast to Katie's agitation. "Haven't you realized that Mitchel's interest lies solely with the Glyn family's influence?"

Katie exhaled deeply, her initial panic subsiding. She had braced herself for a revelation from Raegan, well aware that Mitchel's affections were tethered not to her but to the prestige of her family.

Yet, in Katie's eyes, this distinction held little weight. Her aspirations of marrying Mitchel remained intact, bolstered by her family's name. "The Glyn family is under my name. Does it really make a difference?" she retorted with a haughtiness that belied her earlier panic.

"There is a big difference," Raegan countered with a serene smile, her composure unshaken. "Ardlens is home to families far more influential than the Glyn lineage."

With these parting words, Raegan walked away, her departure leaving a lasting impression. If Katie failed to grasp the significance, it reflected poorly on her understanding, not on Raegan's intentions.

Raegan's choice not to check on Mitchel personally wasn't born out of Katie's deceit. It was a deliberate effort to close that chapter, to prevent fostering any false hopes.

Katie had aimed to wound Raegan with a targeted strike, exploiting what she presumed to be Raegan's vulnerabilities. Yet, Raegan's indifference rendered Katie's attempts futile, reducing Katie to nothing more than a pitiful figure.

Raegan's resolve was clear. She refused to be diminished by anyone, Mitchel included.

Katie stood in the wake of Raegan's departure, her earlier triumph dissolving into confusion. The realization dawned on her too late, leaving her to ponder the depth of her misunderstanding.

Raegan's words left Katie grappling with the unsettling truth. There were indeed wealthier families with whom Mitchel might forge alliances, diminishing her significance in his strategic plans.

Katie wasn't naive. She had anticipated this possibility and had even considered Luciana as an alternative ally. However, what truly infuriated her was Raegan's apparent indifference to Mitchel's marital prospects.

Katie had devoted years to Mitchel, acutely aware of the depth of his affection for Raegan, a love so profound that he would risk everything for her.

Yet, Raegan seemed utterly disinterested in the very thing Katie yearned to claim for herself.