As they exited the car, Stefan advised her, âTry not to overthink things.
â
Once back in her room, Raegan mulled over Stefanâs words and Mitchelâs behaviors.
Mitchel had always been so proud.
After she had firmly rejected him, why would he still show concern for her? No matter how much she tried, she just couldnât get it.
As darkness enveloped the evening, Raegan felt a sharp pain in her abdomen.
She didnât think the pain would start this early, with two weeks left until her due date.
Maybe it was what she did during the day, the ice cream, or something elseâ¦
But at this moment, she couldnât dwell on the cause.
Her stomach pain surged in waves, pushing her to act.
She reached for her phone on the bedside table, but it slipped and clattered to the floor.
Unable to locate it, Raegan slowly maneuvered toward the ground but couldnât spot the phone under the bed.
It wasnât practical for her to lie down and search beneath the bed, so after groping around unsuccessfully, she glanced up and realized she was only a few steps from the front door.
She attempted to shout, âIs anyone there? Anyone?â
However, the intense contractions made it difficult to project her voice.
Her neighbor, Victor, probably in a deep slumber at this hour, was unlikely to hear her faint calls.
For safety, Raegan crawled across the carpet.
Fearful of standing and potentially falling, she remained low.
Upon reaching the door, she faced another challenge.
She couldnât stand up.
She knocked on the door.
She continued knocking, unsure if anyone could hear her.
Slowly, the pain drained her energy.
After lifting her hand for one final knock, she let it drop weakly and closed her eyes.
In the dead of night, the heavy oak door of the Clifford familyâs manor was rudely knocked.
After receiving a nod of approval from Erick, the servant cautiously opened the door.
Outside, the rain poured relentlessly, accompanied by harsh cold winds.
A figure cloaked in a black and gray wool overcoat limped into the foyer, leaning heavily on a black crutch, raindrops clinging to his form.
Erick, his gait hindered by an old injury, met the newcomerâs gaze with a furrowed brow.
âWhat brings you here at this late hour, Mitchel?â
âIs Raegan still awake?â Mitchelâs voice was tense, betraying an underlying urgency.
Perplexed, Erick shook his head.
âItâs well past bedtime.
Sheâs likely retired for the night.
â
Mitchelâs eyes narrowed.
âAlone?â
Erick hesitated, momentarily caught off guard as he realized the situation.
âOf course not,â he assured, recovering quickly.
Even Hector was in the dark about Raeganâs sham marriage.
Naturally, the fewer the people knew about it, the better.
Keeping the circle tight was crucial to preventing any potential fallout for the sake of Raeganâs safety.
Mitchelâs face darkened.
âWould you mind checking on her?â
Erickâs brow furrowed in disbelief.
âAt this hour? Sheâs sound asleep.
What could possibly be wrong?â