âPeople die all the time,â Mitchelâs voice was low, questioning.
âWould you care as much if he were a stranger?â He then questioned her, âIsnât it because heâsâ¦â
Mitchel paused, the words hanging in the air, unfinished.
The tension between them was palpable, both seeming distant despite sitting face to face.
Their expressions were troubled.
As Raegan opened the door again, determined to leave, Mitchel acted impulsively.
He reached out, beginning to remove her coat, then her sweaterâ¦
âStop it!â Raeganâs cry was sharp, her grip on her clothes desperate.
But Mitchel was stronger.
Her sweater was gone, leaving her in a thin underdress.
Raegan, now covering herself, looked at Mitchel, fear evident in her eyes.
âHave you lost your mind, Mitchel?â
Despite her objections, Mitchel continued, tearing her underdress.
Raegan was left exposed, her upper body bare.
Tears filled her eyes as Raegan covered herself with trembling arms.
âMitchel⦠Please, give me my clothes backâ¦â
Mitchelâs gaze, cold and calculating, swept over her, lingering on her slightly swollen belly.
The look in his eyes was unnerving, almost cruel.
Raegan felt vulnerable, exposed under his intense scrutiny as if every part of her was laid bare.
She was lost, unsure how to shield herself from his piercing gaze.
In a voice choked with tears, Raegan pleaded, âPlease, give me my clothes backâ¦â
Instead of complying, Mitchel abruptly lowered the car window and threw her clothes outside.
The lingering scent of Henleyâs blood on her clothes seemed to unhinge Mitchel further.
âArenât you planning to get off the car?â His voice was deliberately low and tense as he fought back the sorrow in his heart.
âGo get your clothes yourself!â Mitchel burst out, unable to contain his frustration any longer.
Raegan stared at him, disbelief etched on her face.
Mitchel now seemed like a stranger to Raegan, his actions mirroring the craziness sheâd seen in Henley.
Emotions swirled within her.
The despair, grief, and acute humiliation.
Suddenly, Raeganâs resolve faltered, and she found herself vulnerable before Mitchelâs gaze.