e hospital until the

wiftly unlocked her phone, only to find

esley's mother,

chance," one message read

ind. Raegan had no choice but to rely on Miranda'

moment. She called for a caregiver and ma

e Miranda lounged, sunbathing. A poodle by her side

a muttered, her gaze shifting slowly to meet Raegan's. Her words, t

mly. "Mrs. Powell, Wesley was with me yesterday,

"It seems I made the right choice in picking you. Your char

Raegan, even in the ab

ilent, her p

dripping with scorn. "Don't think y

aze, her express

Miranda's caution: nev

randa announced, sliding a check across the table to Raegan. "You've played your part these past three

llion—a sardonic smile tuggin

years were valu

nce waned at Ra

wish to return to them, I could facilitate that. Your resemblance to her was the sole reason for your opportunity here. Don't fool yourself into thinking that being with Wesley can sever my hold ove

ile caring for her gravely ill grandmother. Deception by her adoptive mother led

chance after a desperate escape, le

locking his emotional walls. This gave Raegan a new lease on life, and under M

eeded, over

she understood Wesley too well. Even the revela

ttle any other man seem

Raegan accepted the check. "Understood, Mrs.

aegan no further glance

headed to

noticed, met with peculia

organ, Wesley's fiancée, lounging on the sofa, a gift box placed before her.

ickly pieced together the c

h Wesley, rumors circulated in the wo

, the office was abuzz, anti

egan greeted her. "Miss M

from a young age. Her place in Wesley's life seemed preordained, his parents, especially

dn't seem to occupy the most cherished spot in his he

ly capture Wesley's attention, a fact th

try, Lillian wasted no time

er tone dripping with condescension. She lifted a necklace from its box, its luxury unmistakable, and clasped it around her nec

s you pe

e, gazing at it whenever she found her

e not? It wa

t her looking. He casuall

ply shook her head. She mentioned the design was in

lace she dreamed of would end up

ir

" Lillian, with a self-satisfied smile, looked at Raega

pt her composure. "You're welcome. It's par

as acknowledgment of her own superiority. She was about t

them, his face

's smug smile to Raegan. "W

er resignation letter on the d

is tracks, his brow

and then at Raegan, wh

ka

exactly as Raegan

't bring her j

in his heart. Leaving on her own terms,

," Raegan said, strivi

ed briskly, "Make sure to properly hand ov

th a self-mocking laugh. Had she ac

wil

rd glance, she e

er. There's a great spec

iced the open gift box

Wesley had never used t

ghter. "I'm sorry. I won'