Chapter 8: The Mystery Deepens
The silver bracelet became a constant presence on Raegan’s wrist, a subtle reminder that someone out there believed in her. But who? The mystery gnawed at her, distracting her even as she threw herself into her work and prepared for the arrival of her baby.
She considered the possibilities. Could it have been her grandmother? Unlikely—her grandmother wasn’t one for grand gestures. A coworker? Maybe, but none of them seemed the type. The only other person who came to mind was Matteo, Mitchel’s assistant, but she quickly dismissed the thought. Matteo had always been professional, never crossing the line into personal territory.
The mystery lingered in the back of her mind, but Raegan didn’t have time to dwell on it. Her new job was demanding, and she was determined to prove herself. She threw herself into every project, earning praise from Claire and her colleagues.
One afternoon, as she was leaving the office, Claire stopped her in the hallway. “Raegan, do you have a minute?”
“Of course,” Raegan said, following Claire into her office.
Claire closed the door behind them and gestured for Raegan to sit. “I wanted to talk to you about the upcoming campaign for the new client. You’ve been doing incredible work, and I’d like you to take the lead on this one.”
Raegan’s eyes widened. “Really? I’d be honored.”
Claire smiled. “You’ve earned it. But there’s something else I need to tell you.”
Raegan’s stomach tightened. “What is it?”
“The client is Dixon Group.”
The words hit Raegan like a punch to the gut. Dixon Group. Mitchel’s company. She hadn’t expected this—hadn’t prepared for it.
“I understand if this is uncomfortable for you,” Claire said gently. “But I think you’re the best person for the job. You know the company, and you’ve got the skills to make this campaign a success.”
Raegan took a deep breath, her mind racing. She could say no, of course. But that would mean letting Mitchel—and the past—dictate her future. And she was done with that.
“I’ll do it,” she said, her voice steady.
Claire’s smile widened. “I knew I could count on you.”
As Raegan left the office, her mind was a whirlwind of emotions. Working with Dixon Group meant she’d likely have to interact with Mitchel, and she wasn’t sure she was ready for that. But she couldn’t back down now. This was her chance to prove herself, not just to Claire, but to herself.
The next few days were a blur of preparation. Raegan threw herself into the project, determined to make it her best work yet. But no matter how busy she was, the thought of seeing Mitchel again lingered in the back of her mind.
The day of the meeting arrived, and Raegan dressed carefully, choosing a professional yet stylish outfit that made her feel confident. She arrived at Dixon Group early, her heart pounding as she walked through the familiar halls.
Matteo greeted her at the reception desk. “Raegan, it’s good to see you.”
“You too, Matteo,” she said, forcing a smile.
He led her to the conference room, where Mitchel was already seated. He looked up as she entered, his expression unreadable.
“Raegan,” he said, his voice calm but distant.
“Mitchel,” she replied, her tone equally neutral.
The meeting began, and Raegan focused on the task at hand. She presented her ideas with confidence, her passion for the project shining through. Mitchel listened intently, his gaze never leaving her.
When she finished, there was a moment of silence before Mitchel spoke. “This is impressive work, Raegan. You’ve clearly put a lot of thought into it.”
“Thank you,” she said, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside her.
The rest of the meeting passed in a blur, and by the end, the campaign had been approved. As Raegan packed up her things, Mitchel approached her.
“You’ve changed,” he said quietly.
Raegan looked up, meeting his gaze. “I had to.”
He nodded, his expression softening. “I’m glad you did.”
Before she could respond, he turned and walked away, leaving her standing there, her heart racing.
As she left the building, Raegan felt a sense of accomplishment. She had faced her past head-on and come out stronger. But the mystery of the bracelet still lingered, a reminder that there were still unanswered questions in her life.
Who had sent it? And what did it mean?