Raegan had presumed Mitchel would spend the rest of his life with her after his miraculous survival from the explosion, only to be faced with his stark admission that his love had faded. How could she release Mitchel, the man who had ensnared her heart, whom she held dearer than anyone else?

“He claims his love has faded, but why can't that sink in?" Raegan's trembling voice was heavy with tears. “It doesn't make sense. How could he just fall out of love with me?"

“Raegan..." Hearing her distress, Erick felt a deep sorrow. Within him stirred a strong urge to confront Mitchel immediately, despite Mitchel's mother's critical condition.

"I'm probably being stubborn, but I have this nagging feeling that he's looking out for me by being cold to me. He might try to prevent harm from coming my way. It must be hard for him to push everyone away and deal with it all by himself..." Raegan's tears flew out uncontrollably.

In Erick's presence, Raegan dropped the facade of being strong. She surrendered to her emotions, crying openly. "I can't bear the thought of living with regrets..."

“Raegan, I'm with you, no matter what path you take." Erick, who could never stay indifferent to Raegan's distress, gave in at once.

Raegan, through tears, barely voiced her concern, "I feel Like he's hiding something. Just promise you won't confront him."

Looking into her eyes, Erick promised firmly, “Unless he hurts you, I'll keep out of it. But if he crosses that line, I won't just watch."

Raegan's gaze fell, and her words came out hollow. “He's cut me out of his life."

"Raegan, let go of the guilt from his past favor. Do you recall the times when you were children..."

Suddenly, a series of beeps interrupted them. Erick turned the ignition, and the car hummed to life as they began to move forward.

Erick noticed Raegan's spirits hadn't lifted, so he took a different tack. "I've got some news about our mother," he said.

Hope sparked in Raegan's eyes. "Really?"

He nodded. "A while back, a part-time housekeeper claimed she saw our mom at a house. I'd been to the address but found nothing. The previous residents had moved, and their current whereabouts were unknown."

It was a clue, albeit a small one, after years of uncertainty about Casey's fate.

The housekeeper had offhandedly referred to Casey as a “sleeping beauty," a detail Erick chose to keep to himself, wishing not to weigh Raegan down with more worries.

“That's incredible," Raegan managed to say, her tear-stained face brightening slightly with the news. Her belief that their mother was out there, somewhere, remained unshaken.

Erick soothed Raegan by running his fingers through her hair. "I'll find her. Don't fret."

They arrived home after a half-hour journey.

Completely spent, Raegan slipped into the solace of a steaming bath and then surrendered to a deep, restorative slumber.