Katie fell silence. She felt a chill in Mitchel's words, sensing that he would kill her without hesitation if she complained. She knew his plan for Raegan to leave Ardlens was to protect Raegan. But she was not so foolish as to voice this out loud, knowing that Mitchel was not one to be crossed.

Katie masked her fear with obedience, stating, “Whatever you say."

Mitchel's smile was warm, but his eyes revealed a glint of danger, like a blade poised to strike. "Katie, if you had been as obedient in the past as you are now, perhaps you'd have enjoyed greater freedom," he said, his words piercing through her like a dagger.

Katie didn't quite grasp Mitchel's words, but the cold chill they sent down her spine told her they were far from pleasant. Her fear was palpable as she asked, voice trembling, "Mitchel, what are you going to do?"

Her question was soon answered as she realized, to her horror, that this wasn't just her imagination running wild.

As the light above shone upon his handsome features, Mitchel's reflection appeared cold and hard. His words seemed to carry a freezing chill. “Katie, I've been trying to make you understand, but you're too stubborn to see it. If you can't even wait a few days, then..."

His gaze became as frigid as ice, leaving no room for compassion.

"You will remain here until the wedding. Take some time to rest and reflect." His sentence seemed to close the door on any hope of negotiation.

Katie's face twisted in shock and disbelief. His intention to confine her was crystal clear, and she yelled, "Mitchel, I am your bride-to-be, not your prisoner! You have no right to imprison me. If you do this, I will refuse to marry you!"

Katie thought she had played her trump card. She started to realize that her previous efforts to control Mitchel had been a huge mistake.

Men of Mitchel's caliber, equipped with remarkable competence and decisive nature, would never be controlled by anyone, let alone her.

Katie belatedly realized the severity of her attempts to manipulate Mitchel while underestimating the depth of his cunning, a price beyond her capabilities to handle.

Mitchel stood tall, his hand in his pocket, an aura of power surrounding him. “When you had the chance to end our agreement, you didn't want to. Now, there is no chance left."

His smile held a mystery as he continued, "Just be the perfect bride, okay?"

After uttering those words, Mitchel left with a purpose, leaving Katie to ponder her fate.

Katie attempted to stand and go after him, but the moment she put weight on her legs, she crumbled to the floor with a loud thud. Her recovery from the miscarriage had not been as complete as she had thought, and now it felt Like her bottom had been cleaved in two.

Gritting her teeth through the pain, Katie dragged herself toward the door, only to find it locked. No amount of pounding or pleading elicited a response from the other side.

Mitchel had indeed trapped Katie in the ward, much like a prisoner.

Weak and spent, Katie slowly crawled back to bed, unable to rest as the anger inside her kept her wide awake.

The sight of the grotesque child, its noseless, mouthless face, sent chills down her spine.