“Raegan." Henley's gaze was intense, brimming with emotion. “Have you forgotten? Mitchel was the one who never trusted you and caused you pain. Back then, I tried to defend you. But, sadly, I was powerless. I had mused it over multiple times that if I was powerful to protect you, perhaps you would have truly cared for me, choosing me over him."

"Do you honestly believe your words?" Raegan looked at Henley with disdain. "Or did you just consider me a pawn in your game?"

Reflecting on the past, Raegan noted Henley's repeated timely arrival whenever she had a fight with Mitchel. And with his arrival and misleading words, Mitchel, a man prone to get jealous, always throw a tantrum. In those days, the naive Raegan refused to clarify things due to her clear conscience and Mitchel's lack of trust in her.

It was clear Henley had been manipulating Raegan from the start, aiming to sow discord between her and Mitchel. And now, Henley, the man Raegan once viewed as a confidant sought to manipulate her again.

Raegan's face was clouded with fury. Without a moment's hesitation, she said, "Mr. Brooks, let me make it clear. My feelings for you have never surpassed friendship."

Henley's handsome face fell in an instant.

Raegan glared at him, her tone becoming even more frigid. “I regret having considered you a friend. From this point forward, we are nothing to each other. And I'd appreciate it if you kept your distance. Should you decide to continue spreading rumors, be prepared to face a lawsuit for slander!"

Raegan had no desire to engage further and turned to leave.

But Henley swiftly caught her wrist, holding it firm. "Mitchel had caused you pain, and yet you decide to return to him? Do you value yourself so little?"

Henley's eyes were bloodshot, like a creature from the depths, gazing at Raegan with intensity. “He only married you to satisfy his grandfather's wishes, not because he loves you. He's exploiting you as well. Why is it acceptable for him to do so and not for me?"

Raegan found herself at a loss for words.

Henley had a knack for pinpointing vulnerabilities. He knew just how to strike at Raegan's insecurities, exploiting them at this critical moment.

Even Mitchell, who had been mustering the strength to stand up and have Raegan back to his side, froze in his steps. He wanted to hear her thoughts.

“Raegan, it's true I initially approached you with a motive, but I genuinely fell for you as time passed. Do you understand the depth of my despair when you rejected me? I saw you leave with him, and during my nights in solitude, you invaded my dreams. You were the beacon that guided me back to consciousness!" Henley continued.

At that instant, Henley shed his pretenses, speaking with genuine, raw emotion. “Raegan, whatever Mitchel can provide, I can match or surpass. Return to me. Let's erase the past and begin anew, shall we?"

Raegan observed the desperation in Henley's eyes, perceiving it as madness. She responded firmly, “Henley, can't you see the truth? I was never with you, so there's no ‘returning’ to your side. There was no beginning for us, so there's nothing to begin anew."

Raegan's words cut deep.

Henley's face lost color and then flushed with a mix of shame and frustration. After a brief pause, he mustered the courage to ask, "Why?"

Why indeed? Raegan pondered that perhaps it was Mitchel's unwavering dedication and his willingness to embrace Janey as his own before knowing Janey was actually his own, that resonated with her deeply.

And the times he saved her from peril... Especially when he risked his life to leap with her, that moment was utterly astonishing.