Descending the stairs, Raegan unsurprisingly encountered Katie, who had been on the lookout for her.

Katie had not known a moment's peace since Mitchel's reappearance.

She had watched Raegan get up and leave, and soon after, Mitchel had excused himself under the pretense of visiting the restroom. The nagging anxiety tempted her to follow them at once, yet she hesitated to take that step.

Since his return, Mitchel had softened toward her, offering promises.

Though it should have been welcome news, a shadow of unease crept in, worried that this perfect illusion would soon fracture.

After a torturous five minutes, Katie's patience snapped, and she ascended to find them. Witnessing Raegan's descent ignited her fury to new heights. Surely, this woman must have lured Mitchel away!

“Raegan." Katie approached with feigned serenity, closing the distance between them. "Mitchel and I are back together. It's about time you showed some self-respect and let go of him."

“Back together?" Raegan laid bare the truth. “Had you ever truly been together?"

"I..." Words failed Katie amidst her seething. “Isn't it clear?"

Katie implied that their joint appearances should leave no doubt they were a couple.

Yet, Raegan countered with a chill, "It's not evident to me. You know, standing next to you, Mitchel seems more like he's performing an act of charity."

To ensure no misunderstanding, Raegan spelled it out. "As if he's aiding a pregnant woman across the street."

"What? What are you implying?" Katie, livid to the point of losing her words, contemplated confronting Mitchel. She decided not to squander her breath on Raegan and hissed a warning, "Watch it. Don't even think about chasing after him!"

Raegan stood firm. "Katie, ever wondered why you're so uneasy?"

The certainty in Raegan's gaze gave Katie a moment of unease.

Before Katie could retort, Raegan replied, “It's because what you're holding on to isn't really yours."

"You! Ridiculous!" Katie seethed, convinced that her offer of the seafood stew had somehow tipped the scales in her favor. Still, Raegan's presence was enough to make her see red, her irritation escaping in a sharp exhale.

"You're well aware if I'm spouting nonsense or not! Do you actually believe your misdeeds are hidden?" Raegan's smile was thin. "Just remember, payback isn't absent. It's just not time yet."

Still shaking with rage as Raegan moved past her with poise, Katie's temper flared. Her frustration boiling over, she grabbed a nearby potted plant and hoisted it overhead.

But as Katie was poised to hurl it at Raegan, someone seized her wrist firmly.