Seizing the moment, Mitchel embraced her more tightly, his kisses intense, forcefully parting her lips and intertwining with her tongue in a dominating manner.

Overwhelmed by his strength, Raegan felt powerless to resist. She was seething inside. How dare he kiss her so boldly, especially since she was to be another man's bride. Even if it was a sham, he wasn't aware!

Raegan's attempts to resist were feeble, like a kitten's scratches, barely making an impact. Her physical weakness forced her to cease struggling.

However, her acquiescence seemed to embolden Mitchel, and he kissed her even more passionately, as if reclaiming lost time.

“Hmm... Raegan groaned in discomfort."

Her pained whimper, more persuasive than any resistance, eventually compelled Mitchel to let her lips go to catch her breath. He still held her close, reluctant to release her, but his touch became gentle, careful not to harm the unborn children.

As Raegan regained her breath and some strength, Raegan tried to push him away, only for her hand to be caught and held tenderly in his.

Mitchel's eyes, still fiery from the intensity, now carried a cold sharpness. "Carrying my children, who do you plan to marry?"

Raegan's mind snapped to clarity at the mention of the children. That was right. She needed to protect her children and prevent further harm to Mitchel. She inhaled sharply and stated coldly, "The children are mine, and we have no marital bond. I am free to marry whomever I choose."

Her detached tone hit Mitchel hard. Just moments before, he had savored her sweetness, but now she had distanced herself so completely. He spoke in a low, chilling tone. “I don't allow it."

Raegan scoffed. "I don't need your permission, Mr. Dixon. My marriage is real, not fake!"

Her words hinted at Mitchel's staged wedding with Katie, her tone laced with bitterness.

Mitchel's gaze intensified. "That wedding was fake... Aren't you.?"

"Mr. Dixon!" Raegan interrupted him sharply. "I don't need you to love me under some pretense of it being for my good. I don't want that kind of love. Do you understand?"

Mitchel's face turned ashen.

But Raegan continued relentlessly, her words sharp and almost merciless, “So when you made that choice, we were already finished."

“No, Raegan, we're not finished..." Mitchel clung to her hand, his eyes reddening as if he were on the brink of tears. "I don't accept that."

"Mr. Dixon," Raegan addressed him, tears welling up in her eyes. “Do you realize how much I suffered during that time? In your so-called plan to protect me, the pain I endured was very real. Even if I acknowledge your silent motives were for my sake, what does it change? I can't persuade myself to love you again. I desire a peaceful Life, with a husband who won't inflict any pain. Can you grasp that?"

As Raegan articulated these words, her emotions were palpable, revealing her inner turmoil.

On one hand, Raegan was thankful for everything Mitchel had done for her. But whenever she remembered the pain his schemes had caused her, it was too much to bear, and she found forgiveness elusive.