Approaching Lauren, Raegan asked with feigned concern, âAre you okay?â
Lauren, her lips bitten and eyes teary against her pale face, Looked truly pitiable.
Yet, she seemed unaware of her appearance.
âWhy did you hit me as soon as you came in?â Lauren questioned.
Raegan replied with a smile, âYouâre still talking? You must be fine, then.
â
The next second, without hesitation, Raegan swiftly slapped Lauren, not once, but three more times.
This time, Raegan gripped Laurenâs hand to prevent her from falling or exaggerating her reaction.
âAh!â Lauren, covering her swollen face with her free hand, burst into tears.
Raeganâs voice was laced with sarcasm, âYou enjoy playing the victim and accusing others falsely, right? Iâm just helping you out.
â
âRaegan, I just apologized for any past offensesâ¦â
Ignoring Lauren, Raegan yanked Laurenâs hair and slapped her again.
âIâm sorry, I hit you.
I apologize.
Is that what you meant?â
Lauren was defenseless against the slaps and on the verge of Losing her composure.
After being released from the mental hospital, her body was severely weakened.
The strain of the pregnancy, particularly with a child she hadnât planned for, had depleted her of essential nutrients.
It took her several days to gather enough strength to recover.
âRaegan, why do you despise me that much? My relationship with Mitchel isnât what you thinkâ¦â
Laurenâs voice deliberately trailed off, taking on a provocative tone.
It appeared she was insinuating that her relationship with Mitchel was exactly what Raegan suspected.
Raegan, seizing Laurenâs hair, slammed Laurenâs head against the sofa, her gaze icy.
âYou know exactly why.
You harmed my child.
Did you think Iâd let that go?â
Lauren, eyes wide with panic, stammered, âRaegan, youâve misunderstood.
I would neverâ¦â
âRaegan!â At that moment, Mitchel intervened, trying to pull Raegan away to stop the commotion.
âDonât touch me!â Raegan yelled, forcefully shaking off Mitchelâs hand.
Her revulsion was palpable.
The sight of Mitchel and Lauren together sickened her.
Suddenly, a wave of nausea overwhelmed Raegan, darkening her vision and unsteadying her feet.
Mitchel reached out to help, but Raegan stepped back, regaining her balance.
Through clenched teeth, she demanded, âMitchel Dixon, Iâm done abiding by our agreement.
Sign the divorce papers soon, or Iâll make this public.
â
With that, Raegan turned and walked away, refusing to let their presence sour her mood any further.