As far as Raegan was concerned, this balanced out any debt of gratitude she owed him. They went their separate ways and never crossed paths again.

Just before Raegan got out of Mitchel's car, she stated firmly, "Mitchel, I don't owe you anything. Please, stay out of my life.”

With those words, she grabbed her bag, opened the car door, and stepped out decisively. Raegan's driver happened to be around when she called.

Raegan soon left, while Mitchel's black Maybach sat unmoving where it was parked.

Mitchel slouched in his seat, watching as Raegan left his car and entered another, never once glancing his way. A bitter taste filled his chest and crept up to his throat.

Mitchel's eyes turned red as a single tear rolled down his cheek without a sound.

On the way back, Raegan kept to herself the entire time. Her heart felt empty and immense, like dust settling after a storm.

Raegan gave a mocking laugh and muttered, “It's for the best." With each failed expectation, her heart seemed to harden faster. What a relief... Soon, she was able to erase Mitchel from her life completely.

After waking up, Elin noticed the disheveled clothes scattered on the floor and a half-naked man on the bed, petrified.

This kind of thing really did happen more than once.

Last night, Erick drove Elin home and came up for coffee. He soon declared to stay, claiming he was too exhausted to leave.

Elin suggested Erick sleep on the couch, but in the middle of the night, feeling pity for him, she covered him with a thin blanket. He immediately pulled her into a kiss, leaving her dazed and confused.

She was still groggy from sleep when he carried her into her bed.

They were all adults, lying together with their bodies intertwined.

The attraction was undeniable.

Yet, Erick held back in the end, suggesting an alternative.

Confused, Elin heard him ask, “Didn't you get your period?"

It took Elin a moment to understand what he meant. He had mistaken her bleeding for menstrual blood, not realizing it was from the breaking of her hymen.

With just a couple of experiences spaced widely apart, it was understandable for Elin's body to have such a reaction to the sudden closeness with Erick.

Elin managed a wry smile. The notion of a divorced woman like her remain untouched must be absurd to others. In particular, she had married the notorious Dayton.