Chapter 4: A New Resolve
Raegan didn’t go home that night. Instead, she checked into a small boutique hotel on the outskirts of the city. The room was cozy, with soft lighting and a view of the skyline. It was a far cry from the luxurious penthouse she shared with Mitchel, but it felt like a sanctuary.
As she sat on the edge of the bed, she finally allowed herself to process everything that had happened. The pregnancy, Mitchel’s indifference, Lauren’s return—it was all too much, but she couldn’t afford to fall apart. Not now.
She pulled out her phone and turned it back on. There were several missed calls and messages from Mitchel, but she ignored them. Instead, she scrolled through her contacts until she found the name she was looking for: Dr. Evelyn Carter.
Dr. Carter was an old friend of her grandmother’s, a no-nonsense woman who had always been a source of wisdom and support. Raegan hadn’t spoken to her in years, but she knew Evelyn would give her the straight talk she needed right now.
The phone rang twice before Evelyn answered. “Raegan? Is that you?”
“Hi, Dr. Carter,” Raegan said, her voice trembling slightly. “I’m sorry to call out of the blue, but I… I need some advice.”
There was a pause on the other end, and then Evelyn said, “Of course, dear. What’s going on?”
Raegan took a deep breath and poured her heart out. She told Evelyn about the pregnancy, about Mitchel’s coldness, about Lauren’s return. She didn’t hold back, and by the time she finished, she felt a little lighter, as if sharing the burden had made it easier to carry.
Evelyn listened without interrupting, and when Raegan was done, she said, “Well, it sounds like you’re at a crossroads, my dear. The question is, what do you want?”
“I don’t know,” Raegan admitted. “I’ve spent so long trying to make Mitchel happy that I’m not even sure what I want anymore.”
“Then it’s time to figure that out,” Evelyn said firmly. “You’re about to become a mother, Raegan. That little one is going to depend on you for everything. You need to be strong, not just for yourself, but for them.”
Her words struck a chord deep within Raegan. She thought about the baby growing inside her, the tiny life that was depending on her to make the right choices. She couldn’t afford to be weak anymore.
“You’re right,” Raegan said, her voice steady now. “I need to take control of my life. For me, and for my baby.”
“That’s the spirit,” Evelyn said warmly. “Now, what’s your plan?”
Raegan hesitated. She didn’t have a plan—not yet. But as she sat there, staring out at the city lights, an idea began to form.
“I think I need to leave,” she said slowly. “Not just the hotel, but… everything. Mitchel, the job, the life I’ve been living. I need to start fresh.”
Evelyn didn’t argue. “Sometimes, a fresh start is exactly what we need. But remember, Raegan, you don’t have to do it alone. Lean on the people who care about you. And don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
Raegan nodded, even though Evelyn couldn’t see her. “Thank you, Dr. Carter. I needed to hear that.”
They talked for a few more minutes before saying goodbye. When Raegan hung up, she felt a sense of clarity she hadn’t felt in years. She knew what she had to do.
The next morning, Raegan woke up early and packed her things. She checked out of the hotel and took a cab to her grandmother’s house. Her grandmother had always been her rock, and right now, she needed that stability more than ever.
When she arrived, her grandmother was sitting on the porch, sipping tea and watching the sunrise. She looked up as Raegan approached, her eyes filled with concern.
“Raegan, sweetheart, what’s wrong?”
Raegan sat down beside her and took her hand. “I need to tell you something, Grandma.”
She explained everything—the pregnancy, the problems with Mitchel, her decision to leave. Her grandmother listened quietly, her expression softening as Raegan spoke.
When Raegan finished, her grandmother squeezed her hand and said, “You’re stronger than you think, my dear. And you’re making the right choice. This baby deserves a mother who’s happy and at peace, not one who’s constantly fighting for scraps of love.”
Tears filled Raegan’s eyes, but for the first time in a long time, they were tears of relief. “Thank you, Grandma. I needed to hear that.”
Her grandmother smiled. “You’ll always have a home here, Raegan. No matter what.”
Raegan stayed with her grandmother for the next few days, using the time to rest and reflect. She started making plans—small ones at first, like finding a new place to live and looking for a job. But as the days passed, her confidence grew.
She knew the road ahead wouldn’t be easy. There would be challenges and setbacks, but for the first time in years, she felt ready to face them. She was no longer the woman who lived in Mitchel’s shadow. She was Raegan Hayes, and she was going to build a life she could be proud of.