She knew that showing kindness was only viable when one could ensure their own safety.
Otherwise, one might unwittingly become a weapon in the hands of the malevolent, risking harm to oneself without any benefit.
Intent on avoiding further entanglement with Katie, Raegan approached the front desk to call for help, showing what she considered to be the utmost extent of her mercy.
As Raegan was about to turn away, Katieâs chilling voice stopped her.
âDo you think youâre safe now?â Her words were deliberate, each one dripping with venom.
Raegan turned to face Katie, curious yet cautious about what Katie might do next.
Suddenly, Katieâs voice escalated into a desperate cry for help.
âHelp! Someone is trying to kill me! Someone is trying to kill me!â
As Raeganâs face turned to stone, she watched in horror as Katie crawled toward her, frantically smearing blood on her hands and clutching them tightly.
Katieâs eyes burned with hatred as she hissed, âDonât even think about running away!â
Suddenly, Katieâs assistant burst onto the scene, seizing Raegan while shouting, âYou murderer, donât run!â
Raegan struggled to free herself, but the ground was slick with blood and water, making it treacherous to move without risking a fall, and she couldnât break free from the assistantâs grip.
As a crowd gathered, onlookers shot Raegan accusatory glances, whispering amongst themselves.
âLooking at the innocent face of this girl! Who would have thought she could commit murder? Truly, looks can be deceiving.
â
âIndeed, I heard it was over a man.
â
âWhat? This kind of woman deserves to die.
No one would sympathize with her even if she died.
â
Raeganâs hands were smeared with Katieâs blood, and she was encircled, with no way out.
She tried to shout her innocence, but her voice was lost in the cacophony.
The crowdâs anger was palpable, drowning out any chance for her explanations.
In the chaos, Katieâs assistant continued to jostle and shove, attempting to topple Raegan.
Clinging tightly to the assistantâs arm, Raegan managed to stay upright despite the assistantâs several forceful attempts.
The assistant then redoubled her efforts, straining to bring Raegan down.
Amidst the tumult, someone had alerted the authorities, and a voice rang out from the crowd, âKeep an eye on this wicked woman, and wait for the patrol officers to arrive.
â
âMake way! Everyone move aside!â a stern voice commanded, parting the crowd effortlessly.
Held captive by Katieâs assistant, Raegan watched as a man with a cold, indifferent demeanor approached.
He strode past her without a pause.
In a swift motion, Mitchel disregarded the bloodstains on Katie, bent down, and scooped her up.
His gaze never lingered on Raegan, not even for a fleeting second.
To him, it seemed, only Katie mattered.
Everyone else was merely background.
Despite maintaining her composure, Raegan felt a sharp twist in her heart.
She recognized the intensity of Mitchelâs focus on Katie.
It was the kind of undivided attention she had once known herself.
It became clear Mitchel had truly fallen for Katie.