His relentless humiliation persisted, each sentence striking Raegan like a slap.
She clenched her torn collar, tears streaming down her face as she exclaimed, âWhat nonsense are you speaking!â
Mitchel forcefully grasped her chin, his gaze icy as he stared into her eyes.
âYouâve been pursuing me because you want me to sleep with you, right?â
A searing pain jolted through Raeganâs chin, prompting her hand to clench into a fist.
The next moment, Mitchel leaned down, his chilling breath encroaching, poised as though on the brink of a ki*s.
Raeganâs thoughts dissolved into confusion, leaving her unable to respond.
The long-held conjecture was entirely upended, leaving a profound impact on her.
As Mitchelâs chilly lips drew nearer, before Raegan could respond, his mouth grazed past and made contact with her ear.
âTo be honest, Iâve been intimate with you countless times.
â He chuckled, his voice scraping against Raeganâs eardrums.
âIâm honestly and completely tired of it.
â
After speaking those words, Mitchel quickly let Raegan go, as if discarding refuse, even taking a step back as though repulsed.
Deprived of support, Raegan slid down the carâs body, nearly falling to the ground.
Through a stroke of luck, she seized the door handle, stabilizing her stance.
Despite her near stumble, Mitchel remained composed.
âApologies, I cannot compromise my standards to meet your wishes, howeverâ¦â He paused, a sneer forming on his face.
âIf you truly desire it, I can suggest men known for their endurance and diverse skillsâ¦â
Raegan couldnât endure it any longer and delivered a resounding slap to Mitchelâs face.
Silence filled the air like a heavy shroud.
Mitchelâs countenance darkened as if the end of the world had arrived.
A hint of blood tainted his lips, and he regarded her with a contemptuous smirk.
âI never imagined someone like you would lack all sense of shame.
â
This was an insult to her character.
Raeganâs expression shifted once more, and she lifted her hand to slap him again, only to have it firmly seized by Mitchelâs outstretched arm.
âAt the very least, we were once husband and wife.
Letâs consider that slap a parting gesture between strangers.
I wonât hold it against you.
Howeverâ¦â Mitchel tightened his grip, crushing her hand, and issued a stern warning, âIf you wish to avoid your studioâs failure in Ardlens, I suggest you refrain from physical altercations in the future.
â
Mitchel callously threw Raeganâs hand aside.
Raegan leaned on the car door for support, preventing a fall.
Dismay, caution, and intimidation⦠These were the sole impressions she carried from tonight, memories etched permanently in her mind.
Raeganâs breathing calmed from fast to slow, then almost stopped.
The night air felt cool, under desolate moonlight.
Her icy tears lingered, her heart now numb.
She fixed her gaze on Mitchel in front of her, her pale lips forming a forced smile as she softly conceded, âMitchel, youâve succeeded.
â
In just two short weeks, Mitchel had depleted her reservoir of courage.
Her once firm beliefs now cruelly betrayed her.
How foolish she had been, playing the clown for the past two weeks.
Mitchel observed Raeganâs lifeless demeanor, his throat tight, unable to speak.
She appeared so fragile that uttering another word seemed poised to shatter her.
âMitchelâ¦â Raeganâs tender voice reached out to Mitchel, as if they were still deeply in love.