âRaegan, are you alright?â
Raegan looked visibly shaken, her response weak as she shook her head.
âAre you sure youâre okay?â Erick remained concerned for her well being.
Raeganâs gaze shifted to Mitchel standing behind Erick, clutching the injured shoulder, braced against the car door, his face drained of color.
Wounds were all over Mitchelâs face and body, especially his shoulder.
The bandage turned red once more as he collided with the door frame.
Raegan felt a wave of sorrow and unease.
It was strange⦠Why did her heart ache so much at the sight of his pain? It was as if a dusty trove of memories within her had been awakened.
It appeared to be atop a mountain.
Mitchel had once similarly protected her, intercepting the knife that was meant for herâ¦
These fragments of memories triggered a severe headache, overwhelming Raegan.
She covered her head with her hands, looking distressed.
She said to Erick, âErick, please, take me awayâ¦â
Erick swiftly lifted Raegan and placed her in the car.
Victor took the wheel.
Mitchel, his body riddled with wounds, went unnoticed by Erick and Victor.
Mitchel only caught Raegan was eager to depart.
Suddenly, his heart felt as if it were being squeezed, contorting his face in agony.
The punches Erick had dealt Mitchel hadnât brought him to this pain.
Now, he found himself devoid of the strength to even stand.
His body felt as fragile as a bubble, easily toppled by the slightest breeze.
Unable to brace against the car, he crumpled to the ground.
Matteo rushed to Mitchelâs aid.
The sorrow in Mitchelâs eyes ignited a painful heat in Matteoâs palm.
Matteoâs lips quivered as he murmured, âMr.
Dixon, she shouldnât beâ¦â
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Matteo tried to find words of comfort, yet none came.
After all, Mitchel could tell Raeganâs attitude.
Observers could see Mitchel, despite his injuries, held back in the fight since he had heeded Raeganâs words.
Even being beaten like that, he still chose to shield Raegan at the critical moment, ignoring his own injuries.
Yet, Raegan seemingly didnât appreciate it.
Matteo extended his hand, offering help to Mitchel up, but the latter rebuffed him.
A haze seemed to envelop Mitchelâs once handsome face.
Grasping the door for support, he managed to rise and settle back into the car in silence.
He barely acknowledged the blood streaming from his wounds.
Disheartened by Raeganâs seemingly indifference toward him, he was numb to physical pain.
His heart was burdened with a pain far greater than any physical injury could inflict.
He had just begun to experience a profound bitterness.
After what seemed an eternity, Mitchel coughed up blood, which trickled down the corner of his mouth.
He slumped against the seat, his eyes shut tight.
âMitchel!â Matteo exclaimed, bringing the car to an abrupt halt.