Henleyâs complexion turned from pale to red and then settled into a cold expression.
âIsnât he the same?â He scoffed.
âRaegan, you should realize that all men are somewhat alike.
No one is free of selfishness.
In the past, he stirred up all sorts of trouble because I was getting too close to you.
His feelings for you were just possessiveness.
Only you women think thatâs love, all naive-like!â
Henley confidently concluded, âIn reality, for us men, love and possession are the same things.
â
After his lengthy declaration, Raegan responded, âNo, heâs different from you, and heâs different from many other men.
â
Raegan chose not to elaborate further, knowing there were aspects Henley might never understand.
Henleyâs obsession had already penetrated deep into his being.
His childhood might have something to do with it, but that didnât make it right for someone to become evil and scheme against others.
The reason humans had evolved to become the most advanced primates was because of the possession of intelligence, commitment, love, and many other virtuesâ¦
If most people gave in to their grievances and struggles, resorting to hurting and persecuting others, then humanity would never have achieved its historical greatness.
Instead, it would have surrendered to selfishness and darkness long ago.
âHenley, Iâm warning you, either you leave now, or if you try to stop meâ¦â Raegan stopped, lifting the scissors in her hand, and spoke firmly and honestly to him.
âThis little pair of scissors might not harm you, and I might not have the strength.
But if you come at me, Iâll cut the detonator wire.
If youâre ready to risk your life as well as mine, then stay.
â
As Raegan said this, her expression remained surprisingly calm and composed, as if she was merely preparing to trim some leaves with the scissors, not cut a detonator wire.
Henley was completely taken aback.
Her unwavering gaze made him believe that if pushed far enough, she would truly follow through.
ALL at once, a burning jealousy surged from his heart to his head, making every pore on his body stand on end.
âTell me, what is it about Mitchel that makes you willing to go this far?â
Henleyâs frustration was overwhelming.
âEven if his wedding was just for show, you canât tell me you werenât hurt at all!â
Henley was not reconciled.
Why⦠Why couldnât Raegan treat him this way? He believed he had been just as devoted as Mitchel.
Like today, he knew the building was filled with explosives, yet he still came back to rescue her.
They were both risking their lives.
What was the difference?
âs BunnyBookery âOf course I was hurt,â Raegan freely acknowledged.
Even now, thinking back on those past few weeks when Mitchel was icy toward her, her heart still felt the pain.
But after Matteo explained everything, Raegan found it impossible to hold onto her anger.
Understanding his poor health and the extent of his scheming against a large group, all just to make things easier for her.
He even revoked the will and added more favorable conditions for her.
Mitchelâs dealing with Alexis and Henley had all been about securing advantages for her and the children.
He had even endangered himself to set up a trap to catch the notorious Lorenzo.
The purpose behind his actions was unmistakable⦠It was all for her.
That time in the car, hearing the altered voice of Lorenzo, Raegan understood that until they caught this villain and held him accountable, she would never have a peaceful day.
Lorenzo was a threat to many, and at any moment, he could target her.
Thus, Mitchelâs final act was to try to capture Lorenzo himself.
The reason he held a wedding with Katie was to catch Lorenzo off guard, making Lorenzo think she was no longer significant to Mitchel.
All of this was what Matteo had said to Raegan on the phone before, and by connecting the dots, Raegan was sure this was precisely Mitchelâs plan.
Raegan looked up at the puzzled Henley and said, âAlthough I canât accept the methods he thought were in my best interest, I can understand them.
He didnât selfishly manipulate me into choosing him by using love as moral blackmail.
There are deeds heâs done that I might never even learn about, yet he carried them out without wanting anything in return⦠What he wanted was merely my safety as well as my childrenâs, to ease his own worries.
Any one of the acts Iâve said is sufficient reason for me to do this.
â
In his final moments, as a man, Mitchel sacrificed his own well-being, pouring all his efforts into protecting the woman and child he cherished.
Raegan was sure that he had fulfilled the roles of both a partner and a father.
With his sickly body, he had already done enough.
Now, it was her turn to act on his behalf.
Henleyâs face seemed as if it had turned to stone.
At that moment, he felt like a misfit clown, trying too hard to fit into their world, only to be pushed aside.
He had never felt so keenly that he was on the verge of losing Raegan.
No, it was more precise to say that he had never truly had what he was now about to lose.