Davey had conducted numerous tests, and Casey had not reacted to any stimuli, including the recent attempt to provoke a response by presenting Raegan.

Casey was connected to machines that monitored her heart rate.

Ordinarily, any parent reunited with a long-lost child would exhibit some heart rate fluctuation, especially someone like Casey, who deeply loved her children.

But Casey remained as unresponsive as ever even when Raegan called her, her heart rate unchanging.

Frustrated by this realization, Davey acknowledged the harsh truth.

Seeing no further use of Raegan, he lifted his foot off her. His expression disdainful, he commanded, "Set the temperature to minus sixty-two degrees."

Raegan was shocked! She gasped in disbelief. This was his method of finishing what he hadn't managed before. He intended to freeze her to death.

Watching Davey stride toward the exit, Raegan realized she had one last opportunity. Once he left the room, her fate would be sealed.

How could she muster the strength to fight for her life? She didn't want to die. She was determined to live, to rescue her mother, and to await Erick's arrival.

With Casey's face in her mind, Raegan suddenly called out hoarsely, “Davey Glyn!"

Using his full name grabbed his attention. As expected, he halted and turned to face her.

Raegan bit her tongue, tasting blood, which brought a sharp clarity and calm. Her voice raspy from dehydration, she challenged, “Have you ever considered whose child I am?"

Davey's expression shifted to shock for a brief moment.

Raegan noticed this and sensed she had made some progress. The next part of her plan was critical to her survival. Without giving Davey time to ponder, she pressed on, “Mr. Glyn, given your intelligence, you've probably figured it out. You know, my brother Erick and I aren't biological related. Didn't you ever question why my dad would adopt a boy instead of having his own?"

Davey laughed dismissively. "Are you trying to suggest you're my child? Clever, but I'm not naive enough to believe such a tale."

With that, he turned and walked away, clearly unconvinced.

Raegan collapsed onto the ground, motionless, conserving her body heat to extend her survival. This wild theory was a desperate invention on her part.

Davey was smart, yet not without his vulnerabilities. His Achilles' heel was her existence as proof of Casey's "infidelity." He wanted her dead because he viewed mother, Casey.

But what if she were actually his daughter? How might that change things? How would he react.. He couldn't be that heartless, right?

Though Davey had departed, it didn't mean Raegan had lost. A seed of doubt, once sown, might flourish into endless turmoil.