Once the car halted, Mitchel still clutched Raeganâs arm tightly, his eyes betraying a rare flicker of panic.
âHave you lost your mind?â he said through gritted teeth, his voice tense.
Still seething with anger, Mitchel pressed his tongue against his molars and said, âDid you really plan to jump out of a moving car on the highway? Did you want to end your life?â
Raegan struggled against his firm grip on her arm and snapped back, âI wasnât trying to kill myself, and itâs not worth it for you anyway.
â
Mitchel froze, his face draining of color, his fingers turning white from the strength of his grip.
After a heavy silence, he managed to say, âItâs best if you can think this way.
â
Raegan bit her lip, overcome with sadness that was hard to express.
Still, she managed a bitter smile.
âMitchel, Iâve already thought this way for a while.
Since we last saw each other, Iâve treated you like a stranger.
Why canât you do the same? Whatâs all this about? I never comment on your upcoming marriage to Katie, and you know thatâ¦â
She resumed speaking after pausing for a bit, her voice rough.
âYou knew Katie was involved in that kidnapping incident, but you still chose to marry her.
Sheâs a merciless murderer, and youâre covering for her.
Are you trying to leave me with nowhere to go in Ardlens?â
Raeganâs eyes welled up with tears as she pressed him, âMitchel, who here is truly out of their mind?â
Mitchel gripped Raeganâs arm tighter, and no matter how much she tried, she couldnât break free.
He didnât let go, holding on as if he feared she might vanish right before his eyes.
Raegan struggled multiple times, her arms aching from being pinched.
âLet me go! I want to get out of this car! I donât want anything to do with you, nor do I want to share the same air! Canât you stick to your word? Meet and part ways, isnât that what you said?â she exclaimed.
âs BunnyBookery âMeeting and parting waysâ¦â Mitchel echoed quietly, as though speaking to himself.
His eyes reddened as he replied hastily, âI must be the crazy one.
Just see me as crazy, but my actions are for your own goodâ¦â
Before he could finish, Raegan cut him off with scornful laughter.
âMitchel, since when do you have the right to decide whatâs best for me? Arenât I a stranger to you now? Whatâs the point of being nice?â
Without waiting for Mitchelâs response, Raegan pressed on, âThink about it.
Since youâve returned, have you done anything but embarrass me and make me feel worthless? What good have you done for me?â
Raegan fixed her gaze on Mitchelâs troubled face, demanding, âCan you answer me that? What have you done thatâs actually helped.
â
âIâ¦â Mitchel struggled to find the words of apology that lingered on the tip of his tongue, yet he couldnât utter them.
A cool breeze swept over, jolting Mitchel awake.
With multiple threats still in the picture, he couldnât openly explain to Raegan why he was being this cold.
All he could offer was a clear way forward for her, free from worries or burdens.
With this in mind, Mitchel pulled himself together.
His face became cold and stern as he said, âSorry for being nosy.
â
Raegan clenched her fists, unable to respond.
She was exhausted, thoroughly so.
She had rebuilt her hopes over and over, only for them to be shattered repeatedly by Mitchel.
Raegan laughed at herself.
Just moments ago, she had thought he still cared about her, and maybe he couldnât let her go.
She assumed everything he did had a reason behind it.
However, it seemed to be all in her head since she couldnât find any hints about his looking out for her.
She overestimated herself.
Clenching her teeth, Raegan fought back the rising sourness in her throat before saying slowly, âMr.
Dixon, I hope you wonât interfere like that again.
I donât need you to look out for me, and it annoys me.
If we run into each other again, just meet and part ways, okay?â