Chapter 7: Unexpected Encounters
Raegan’s new life was falling into place, but the past had a way of creeping back when she least expected it. One evening, after a long day at work, she decided to treat herself to dinner at a small, cozy restaurant near her apartment. She had just settled into a corner table when the door chimed, and her heart nearly stopped.
Mitchel walked in, his tall frame commanding attention even in the casual setting. He wasn’t alone. Lauren was by his side, her arm looped through his, her laughter ringing out like a melody that grated on Raegan’s nerves.
For a moment, Raegan considered leaving. She didn’t want to deal with this—not tonight, not ever. But then she straightened her shoulders and reminded herself that she had every right to be there. She wasn’t going to let Mitchel or Lauren ruin her evening.
She focused on her menu, determined to ignore them. But fate had other plans.
“Raegan?”
The sound of her name made her look up. Mitchel was standing at her table, his expression unreadable. Lauren lingered a few steps behind, her smile polite but strained.
“Mitchel,” Raegan said, her voice calm despite the storm raging inside her. “What a surprise.”
“I didn’t know you came here,” he said, his tone neutral.
“There’s a lot you don’t know about me,” she replied, her gaze steady.
Lauren stepped forward, extending her hand. “Hi, I’m Lauren. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
Raegan shook her hand, her smile polite but distant. “Likewise.”
The tension between the three of them was palpable, and Raegan could feel the curious glances of other diners. She wasn’t going to let this turn into a scene.
“Well, I won’t keep you,” she said, picking up her glass of water. “Enjoy your dinner.”
Mitchel hesitated, as if he wanted to say more, but Lauren gently tugged on his arm. “Come on, Mitchel. Our table’s ready.”
He nodded, his eyes lingering on Raegan for a moment longer before he followed Lauren to their table.
Raegan exhaled slowly, her hands trembling slightly as she set her glass down. She hadn’t expected to see them, and the encounter had left her feeling unsettled. But she refused to let it ruin her night.
She finished her meal in silence, her mind racing. Seeing Mitchel and Lauren together had stirred up emotions she thought she’d buried—anger, sadness, and yes, even a flicker of jealousy. But she reminded herself that she was no longer the woman who had waited for Mitchel to notice her. She was stronger now, and she had a future to build.
As she left the restaurant, she noticed Mitchel watching her from his table. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and Raegan felt a jolt of something she couldn’t quite name. But she didn’t look away. She held his gaze, her chin lifted in defiance, before turning and walking out the door.
The cool night air was a welcome relief as she made her way home. She knew the encounter would linger in her mind, but she wasn’t going to let it define her. She had come too far to be pulled back into the past.
When she got home, she found a package waiting for her at the door. It was a small box with no return address. Curious, she opened it and found a delicate silver bracelet inside. There was a note tucked beneath it:
“For the woman who deserves the world.”
Raegan’s heart skipped a beat. The handwriting was familiar, but she couldn’t place it. She turned the bracelet over in her hands, her mind racing. Who could have sent this?
She didn’t have an answer, but as she slipped the bracelet onto her wrist, she felt a sense of warmth and reassurance. Whoever had sent it, the message was clear: she was valued, she was loved, and she was on the right path.