Chapter 76
We Are Done The doctor said, "The latest report shows that the patient's in a frail condition.
She might pass away at any moment.
It's no longer necessary for her to stay in the hospital.
You might as well take her home and grant her final wishes.” Raegan walked out of the doctor's office in a trance.
Her steps were unsteady, and her strength drained, forcing her to find a bench to collapse onto.
Kendra, a caring nursing worker, spotted Raegan in the corridor.
She rushed over after seeing the pallor on Raegan's once-pretty face and asked with concern, "Miss Hayes, what's happened?" Unable to find her voice, Raegan fumbled for her phone.
Her trembling hand made it difficult to press the necessary buttons.
With a trembling voice, she implored Kendra, "Kendra, please help me make a call.
Press the number one button.” The number one button on Raegan’s phone was linked to Mitchel's number.
Kendra was startled by Raegan’s expression but took the phone, doing as instructed.
She dialed the number, but there was no answer.
Kendra tried again, still to no avail.
Glancing at Raegan, Kendra asked quietly, "Should I try one more time?" "Yes, keep calling until he picks up." Raegan's resolve remained unshaken.
In her vulnerability, Raegan yearned for Mitchel to provide the strength she desperately needed.
More importantly, she hoped he could help fulfill her grandmother's final wishes.
On the third attempt, the call finally went through.
"What's up?" Mitchel asked impatiently.
But Raegan had no time to think about anything else.
She pleaded in a low voice, "Mitchel, can you come back? It’s about my grandma...” Suddenly, a delicate female voice interrupted Raegan's words.
"Mitchel..." Raegan felt a crushing disappointment wash over her.
She thought it was her imagination and asked, “Are you with Lauren right now?" "Yes, Lauren...” "Mitchel Dixon!" Raegan couldn't believe it.
She questioned in a trembling voice, "Isn't it nighttime where you are? And you are telling me you two are together?” Frowning, Mitchel glanced at Lauren, who was resting on a hospital bed, and replied casually, "It's not what you think.
I'll explain to you when I get back." Then, Lauren's sobs were heard.
Holding the phone, Mitchel comforted Lauren gently.
Raegan's heart ached when she heard that.
The sharp pain left her momentarily speechless.
Tears welled in her eyes, silently streaming down her cheeks, their saltiness and bitterness almost tangible.
But she didn't want to let her grandmother down.
In a choked voice, Raegan asked again, "Mitchel, can you come back? Please, come back now, okay?” Her words caused Mitchel’s heart to skip a beat.
In his eyes, Raegan had always been strong, and rarely begged him in such a humble way.
His heart immediately softened.
"I'll be back soon.
Just hang in there and wait for me at home, alright?” Raegan's voice trembled, "No, you don't get it, Mitchel.
My grandma...” "Raegan.” Hearing Lauren’s pained cry, Mitchel couldn't help but interrupt Raegan.
He thought Raegan was rushing him back because she was unhappy with him being with Lauren.
But under the circumstances, he couldn't leave Lauren alone overseas.
"I can't leave now, Raegan.
Lauren's condition is critical at the moment.” When Mitchel realized that he might have been too harsh, he added in a softer tone, "I promise, once she is through the worst of it, I'll spend more time with you.” Mitchel’s words nearly shattered all of Raegan's hopes.
She felt utterly dejected.
Did Mitchel really think she was vying for his attention? She felt like a dagger had pierced through her heart.
It hurt so much.
Tears welled up in Raegan's eyes, and she forced a bitter smile.
“Mitchel, in your eyes, my grandmother means nothing, right? Do you even care about me? Is that why you can make such a decision without a second thought?" Mitchel couldn't tolerate this any longer.
He retorted coldly, "Raegan, what has gotten into you? Why would you say something like that? What's the point of it?” For a moment, it felt like an invisible hand was tearing Raegan's heart apart.
The pain was unbearable, and she longed to end the conversation right there.
But she couldn't bear the thought of her grandma passing away with regrets of not meeting Mitchel.
So she begged, her voice trembling, "Mitchel, I'm not trying to manipulate you.
My grandma is dying.
She truly wants to see you..." Mitchel furrowed his brow.
Through the phone call, he couldn't see the desperation in Raegan's eyes.
He tried to console her patiently, "I have already told you I'll visit your grandma.
I won't break my promise.
Just be patient and wait for me, okay?" Raegan bit her lip hard and tried to hold back her tears.
She lost her temper and shouted, "Mitchel, I'm not trying to coax you into coming back.
I'm telling the truth! Why can't you trust me?” "Of course, I trust you, but Lauren is in a really bad condition.
She had a relapse yesterday, and she can't stay in the hospital without someone by her side.
I can’t Just leave her like that.” Mitchel's firm attitude deepened Raegan's despair.
Once again, she had overestimated her importance to him.
For Mitchel, Lauren was the top priority.
He didn't care whether her grandma was sick or not.
Raegan's heart was broken by him again.
"Mitchel, have you ever considered that Lauren might be using her so-called illness to keep you with her?” "Raegan, don't say things like that.
Lauren wouldn't stoop to do such things," Mitchel countered.
"It might sound absurd, but it always works, right? That's why she keeps resorting to using the same trick on you.
Have you ever wondered why she only has relapses when you are around, not in front of others?" Raegan almost cried out, her voice bordering on hysteria.
Mitchel remained unconvinced.
"It's just a coincidence." Raegan scoffed when she heard that.
"Is it really Just a coincidence? Think about it, Mitchel.
I don't believe there are so many coincidences in the world." Even over the phone, Mitchel could sense that Raegan was In a foul mood.
He massaged his temples and said, "I promise you, Raegan, I'll fly back as soon as I can once Lauren gets better.” Raegan lowered her gaze, looking utterly exhausted.
Her heart sank as she asked, “Mitchel, didn't you tell me I was your top priority?" He had said it right to her face! How could he toss his promise aside so easily? How could he be this heartless? Mitchel retorted coldly, “Yes, I did say that, but sometimes priorities need to be sorted out.
Right now, Lauren's life is hanging by a thread, and you want me to abandon her and rush back to you?" A bitter smile crept across Raegan's face.
"Mitchel, what does it have to do with you whether Lauren lives or not? Only you believe what she has done.
And if her life really hangs by a thread, why hasn't her family rushed to see her? Did you ever consider it might all be part of her plan?" "Lauren's family are on their way," Mitchel said in a tone that was as cold as ice.
"Raegan, you have always been kind.
Why did you become so vicious?" Mitchel's words proved the last straw, shattering Raegan's heart into fragments.
His words were like a dagger thrust into her chest, causing her excruciating pain.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
She squeezed a smile on her face and said, "You are right.
I'm a viclous woman.
I'm being unreasonable.
I'm making a fuss.
Go live a blissful life with your good-hearted and sensible Lauren. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.
We...
We are done.”