"Yes, Lauren..."

“Mitchel Dixon!" Raegan couldn't believe it. She questioned in a trembling voice, “Isn't it nighttime where you are? And you are telling me you two are together?"

Frowning, Mitchel glanced at Lauren, who was resting on a hospital bed, and replied casually, “It's not what you think. I'll explain to you when I get back."

Then, Lauren's sobs were heard. Holding the phone, Mitchel comforted Lauren gently.

Raegan's heart ached when she heard that. The sharp pain left her momentarily speechless.

Tears welled in her eyes, silently streaming down her cheeks, their saltiness and bitterness almost tangible.

But she didn't want to let her grandmother down. In a choked voice, Raegan asked again, "Mitchel, can you come back? Please, come back now, okay?"

Her words caused Mitchel's heart to skip a beat.

In his eyes, Raegan had always been strong, and rarely begged him in such a humble way.

His heart immediately softened.

"I'll be back soon. Just hang in there and wait for me at home, alright?"

Raegan's voice trembled, "No, you don't get it, Mitchel. My grandma.

"Raegan." Hearing Lauren's pained cry, Mitchel couldn't help but interrupt Raegan.

He thought Raegan was rushing him back because she was unhappy with him being with Lauren.

But under the circumstances, he couldn't leave Lauren alone overseas.

"I can't leave now, Raegan. Lauren's condition is critical at the moment."

When Mitchel realized that he might have been too harsh, he added in a softer tone, “I promise, once she is through the worst of it, I'll spend more time with you."

Mitchel's words nearly shattered all of Raegan's hopes.

She felt utterly dejected.

Did Mitchel really think she was vying for his attention?