Before she could complete her sentence, Mitchel had already lifted her from the seat, leaving her suspended in mid-air for a moment.

Feeling him hold her eased the pain a little, but her heart was still heavy.

“My stomach hurts," she uttered in a quivering voice.

And then, as if dropping a bag of groceries, he set her down on the cold, unforgiving asphalt.

“Raegan, quit with the childish games. I have to go."

With that, he climbed back into the car and sped off.

Raegan crouched on the road and watched in disbelief as the car disappeared into the distance.

So he thought she was just putting on some sort of childish act?

In that instant, it felt like her heart had turned to stone, and she became numb to the world around her.

Well, she had it coming, didn't she? How could she be so naive?

How could she fall into the trap again after some sweet talk?

The pain in her abdomen intensified until it became unbearable, and a cold sweat broke out on her forehead.

Using one hand for support, Raegan struggled to her feet and began to stagger toward the hospital.

Out of nowhere, a silver-gray minivan roared up to her. And before she knew it, two hooded men had yanked her into the vehicle.

In a desolate warehouse on the outskirts of town, a man, holding a syringe in hand, looked at Lauren and asked with doubts, "Are you sure about this?"

Lauren gritted her teeth and confirmed, "Yes.

With that, the needle was then inserted into Lauren's vein. Not long after, she transformed into someone who looked like they would drop dead anytime soon. Even doctors would be fooled by her appearance.

Lauren glanced at her reflection in the mirror and decided she still did not look pitiful enough. She gestured to a muscular man and ordered, "You, get over here. I want you to slap me. Hard."

It was not every day that someone asked for a beating, but he was not about to question the person signing his checks.

The man raised his hand and repeatedly slapped Lauren across the face until it was red and swollen.