Chapter 5: The First Step
Raegan spent the next week at her grandmother’s house, using the time to plan her next steps. She knew she couldn’t stay there forever—her grandmother’s small home wasn’t equipped for a baby, and Raegan needed to establish her own space. But for now, it was a safe haven, a place where she could gather her thoughts and prepare for the challenges ahead.
Her first order of business was finding a new job. She couldn’t continue working at Dixon Group, not after everything that had happened with Mitchel. The thought of facing him every day, of pretending everything was fine, was unbearable. She needed a fresh start, somewhere she could build a career on her own terms.
She spent hours scouring job listings, updating her resume, and drafting cover letters. It was exhausting work, but it felt good to be proactive, to take control of her future.
One evening, as she was scrolling through job postings, her phone buzzed with a notification. It was an email from a boutique marketing firm she’d applied to earlier in the week. They wanted to schedule an interview.
Raegan’s heart leapt with excitement. This was her chance—a real opportunity to start over. She quickly replied, confirming the interview for the following Monday.
The next few days were a whirlwind of preparation. She researched the company, practiced answering interview questions, and even bought a new outfit—a sleek, professional blazer and trousers that made her feel confident and capable.
On the morning of the interview, Raegan woke up early, her stomach fluttering with nerves. She took a deep breath, reminding herself of everything she’d been through and how far she’d come. She could do this.
Her grandmother made her a hearty breakfast and wished her luck as she headed out the door. “You’ve got this, sweetheart,” she said, giving Raegan a warm hug. “Just be yourself.”
The interview went better than Raegan could have hoped. The hiring manager, a woman named Claire, was warm and encouraging. They clicked immediately, and by the end of the meeting, Raegan felt a spark of hope.
“We’ll be in touch soon,” Claire said as she walked Raegan to the door. “But honestly, I think you’d be a great fit for our team.”
Raegan left the office feeling lighter than she had in months. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she was moving forward, not just treading water.
But her newfound optimism was short-lived. When she returned to her grandmother’s house, she found Mitchel waiting for her on the porch.
Her heart sank as she approached. “What are you doing here?”
Mitchel stood, his expression unreadable. “We need to talk, Raegan.”
She crossed her arms, bracing herself for whatever he was about to say. “I think we’ve said everything that needs to be said.”
“No, we haven’t,” he said, his voice firm. “You left without a word. You turned off your phone. Do you have any idea how worried I was?”
Raegan raised an eyebrow. “Worried? Since when do you care about where I am or what I’m doing?”
Mitchel’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t respond. Instead, he said, “I know about the pregnancy, Raegan.”
Her breath caught in her throat. “How?”
“Matteo told me,” he admitted. “He overheard you talking to your grandmother.”
Raegan felt a surge of anger. “So what? Are you here to tell me what to do? To remind me that our marriage was never about love?”
Mitchel’s expression softened, just slightly. “I’m here because… because this changes things.”
“Does it?” she challenged. “Because from where I’m standing, nothing’s changed. You still don’t love me. You still want Lauren. So why are you really here, Mitchel?”
For a moment, he looked like he might argue. But then he sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t know, Raegan. I just… I needed to see you.”
His words caught her off guard. There was a vulnerability in his voice that she hadn’t heard before, a crack in the armor he always wore. But she couldn’t let herself be swayed. Not again.
“Well, you’ve seen me,” she said, her voice steady. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a life to rebuild.”
She walked past him and into the house, closing the door firmly behind her. Her heart was pounding, but she refused to let herself cry. She couldn’t afford to fall apart now.
As she leaned against the door, she heard Mitchel’s footsteps retreating down the porch steps. She waited until she was sure he was gone before letting out a shaky breath.
This was just the beginning. She had a long road ahead of her, but for the first time in a long time, she felt ready to face it.