Feeling her heart twinge with empathy and having already expressed her concern, Raegan decided to proceed and dress his wound.
âLet me help bandage it, okay? Once itâs done, you can go back.
â She spoke in a soothing tone, hoping to coax him into agreement.
When he didnât object, she took it as his consent.
Carefully, she rolled up his sleeve and dabbed gently at the blood before wrapping it neatly.
In the cramped space of the car, Raeganâs expansive wedding gown pressed almost against Mitchel.
She focused on bandaging his arm, making a loop and tying a graceful bow.
After bandaging him, she noticed his arm seemed thinner than before.
Had he not fully recovered, leaving himself in such a frail state?
Despite her growing sympathy, Raegan was aware of the urgency.
She needed to return before her absence was discovered, to avoid causing any commotion.
Raegan intended to withdraw her hand, but was suddenly pulled back into a tight embrace by Mitchel.
Her heart raced, panic mingling with confusion in his hold.
âs BunnyBookery Yet, the embrace felt as warm and solid as it had been previously.
Mitchelâs familiar cool scent enveloped her, instilling a sense of safety and calm.
For a brief moment, Raegan was transported back to their sweetest, most affectionate times.
Back when there were no interferences from Lauren, Katie, or Henley.
Just the two of them, reluctant to part on those mornings before work.
In that instant, Raegan felt a longing to surrender to the moment, to lose herself in his embrace.
She pushed aside thoughts of curses, destinies, or past injuries, choosing instead to savor this hard-won embrace.
âJust five minutes,â she told herself, permitting herself this brief indulgence.
After that, reality would reclaim them both.
Silence filled the car.
They held each other wordlessly, as if any sound might break the delicate illusion enveloping them.
Yet, five minutes passed in a flash.
Like Cinderella racing against the clock, Raegan reluctantly pushed Mitchel away, urging, âYou should go.
â
She was now entangled with a mysterious assailant.
If Mitchel stayed, he would face danger once more.
She could not justify such selfishness, not after he had risked his life for her multiple times.
Last time, he had nearly died.
Perhaps Katie was correct.
Their destinies were misaligned, and togetherness only spelled disaster for them both.
Seeing how resolutely Raegan pushed him away and repeatedly insisted he leave, a shadow fell over Mitchelâs eyes.
âDonât you have anything to say to me?â he asked.
Raegan bit her lip, replying simply, âNo.
â She disliked indecision.
Once her mind was made up, she stood firm.
âReally, you have nothing to say to me?â Pain echoed in Mitchelâs deep gaze.
Raeganâs heart tightened, but she averted her eyes and responded evenly, âThank you for coming to my wedding, but given Auroraâs current situation, I couldnât invite youâ¦â
She had her reasons.
She knew the agony of watching the man she loved prepare for anotherâs wedding Standing at the altar while he watched as a guest was no less painful.
She refused to experience so.
Whether it was selfishness or self-preservation, she was determined to end things decisively.