His voice was harsh and cutting. “If there was love, wouldn't we still be together?"

His words crushed Raegan's fragile courage and confidence.

Mitchel's features hardened, and a sarcastic half-smile formed on his lips. "If I recall correctly, Miss Foster, we haven't remarried, have we?"

His relentless verbal attacks left Raegan feeling vulnerable. She concealed her trembling hand behind her back, unable to bring herself to look him in the eye.

Seeing Raegan standing there, Mitchel's voice grew even colder as he commanded, “Remove anyone not involved. No one enters without my permission."

Anyone not involved... The person who had once risked his life to save her now dismissed her as “anyone not involved." Raegan felt a suffocating tightness in her chest. It felt like someone had twisted a key in her chest, tightening it so much that she could barely catch her breath.

The excitement upon seeing Mitchel alive vanished, leaving Raegan feeling completely deflated. She watched his tall, rigid figure back, a whirlwind of confusion, despair, and disbelief swirling in her eyes.

As the bodyguard approached, Raegan gestured frantically. "I'll leave on my own." Her voice broke with emotion, but she strived for composure, for his sake and her own.

Raegan tilted her head slightly to hold back the tears and said, "I'm sorry for bringing this up just after you returned. You're right. This isn't the time to bother you.”

Automatically, Raegan attributed Mitchel's harsh demeanor to the shock of his mother's injuries. Instead of reacting defensively, she stepped back on her own accord.

Without waiting for a response, Raegan hurriedly added, "I'm truly sorry about Luciana's injury. If there's anything I can do, just let me know."

"Let's discuss the rest when Luciana's okay." Raegan spoke fast, as if afraid Mitchel might say more. After saying this, she didn't wait for Mitchel's response and quickly turned to leave.

The elevator doors opened, and Raegan stumbled in, deep in thought, and collided with someone.

“Sorry... Sorry..." Raegan stammered an apology with her head bowed.

Luis looked down at Raegan in surprise. “Raegan?"

At this, Raegan swallowed hard, fighting the urge to cry that threatened to overwhelm her once more. Why did Luis treat her the same way while Mitchel treated her this cold?

Raegan lowered her head, her eyes brimming with tears, struggling to keep them at bay. Her eyes might burst from the effort to hold the tears back.

“Raegan, what's wrong?" Luis asked, patting her back gently.

This tiny gesture unleashed the flood of tears Raegan had been holding back.

Raegan's tears fell like scattered beans, spreading across the ground.