Chapter 3 His Fiancée

Wesley remained in the hospital until the first light of dawn.

Raegan let out a sigh of relief as she swiftly unlocked her phone, only to find it bombarded with a flurry of messages.

All were from Wesley's mother, Miranda Powell.

"Raegan, this is your last chance," one message read, echoing a clear threat.

The specialty drugs for her grandma were a rare find. Raegan had no choice but to rely on Miranda's extensive network to secure the necessary doses.

Knowing the urgency, Raegan didn't waste a moment. She called for a caregiver and made her way to the Powells' family estate.

Upon arrival, a maid escorted her to the garden where Miranda lounged, sunbathing. A poodle by her side snarled at Raegan, its demeanor less than welcoming.

"You little troublemaker, becoming more defiant by the day," Miranda muttered, her gaze shifting slowly to meet Raegan's. Her words, though seemingly aimed at the dog, were clearly intended for Raegan.

Choosing to ignore the jab, Raegan approached calmly. "Mrs. Powell, Wesley was with me yesterday, which made it difficult to respond to your call."

Miranda let out a cold scoff, a smirk playing on her lips. "It seems I made the right choice in picking you. Your charm seems even more potent than that of the woman before you."

The humiliation stung Raegan, even in the absence of an audience.

She stood, silent, her pride wounded.

Miranda's gaze hardened, her voice dripping with scorn. "Don't think your intentions are hidden from me."

Raegan met her gaze, her expression unreadable.

She had always heeded Miranda's caution: never to fall for Wesley.

"Wesley's fiancée, Lillian, is back in town. Their marriage will be arranged before the year ends," Miranda announced, sliding a check across the table to Raegan. "You've played your part these past three years. Wesley seems to have forgotten his past love. Now, it's time for you to step aside for Lillian."

Raegan eyed the check-five million-a sardonic smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

So, her youthful years were valued at this price.

Miranda's patience waned at Raegan's silence.

"Not willing to leave?" Miranda's eyes flashed with a hint of malice. "You're the adopted daughter of the Dixon family, aren't you? I've delved into every dark corner of your family's affairs. If you 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 over you. If I don't hear about your resignation within a week, the supply of your grandmother's specialty drugs will cease. Make no mistake, at my command, no one will dare to assist your grandmother."

Raegan's journey had been a harsh one, navigating through her family's turmoil while caring for her gravely ill grandmother. Deception by her adoptive mother led to the loss of their only money, and a near escape from being trafficked or worse.

Her path crossed with Miranda's by chance after a desperate escape, leading to a life-altering encounter.

Miranda saw in her a resemblance to Wesley's first love, a potential key to unlocking his emotional walls. This gave Raegan a new lease on life, and under Miranda's guidance, she was placed beside Wesley, tasked with mending his heart.

And she succeeded, over three years.

Now, the time had come for her to depart. Yet, she understood Wesley too well. Even the revelation of her origins wouldn't deter his feelings.

A truth that might unsettle any other man seemed irrelevant to Wesley.

With a heavy heart yet a composed exterior, Raegan accepted the check. "Understood, Mrs. Powell. I'll ensure my departure is timely."

Miranda rose, sparing Raegan no further glance, and retreated indoors.

Raegan then headed to the office.

Her arrival did not go unnoticed, met with peculiar stares from colleagues.

But Raegan remained unaffected. She entered Wesley's office to find Lillian Morgan, Wesley's fiancée, lounging on the sofa, a gift box placed before her. Lillian's gaze lazily swept over Raegan. "Miss Dixon, nice to see you again."

Caught off guard, Raegan quickly pieced together the cause of the earlier stares.

Despite her discreet relationship with Wesley, rumors circulated in the workplace due to her proximity to him.

Now, with Lillian's presence, the office was abuzz, anticipating Raegan's departure.

With a composed smile, Raegan greeted her. "Miss Morgan, it's been a while."

Lillian grew up alongside Wesley, both of them bound by the expectations of their families from a young age. Her place in Wesley's life seemed preordained, his parents, especially his mother Miranda, showering her with affection as if she was already part of the family.

Despite Lillian's deep affection for Wesley, she couldn't seem to occupy the most cherished spot in his heart, a position seemingly reserved for his first love.

In contrast, Raegan seemed to effortlessly capture Wesley's attention, a fact that left Lillian simmering with jealousy.

Upon her return to the country, Lillian wasted no time in marking her territory.

"Remember the first time we met? You were at the bottom of the ladder, and now you're the chief secretary," Lillian remarked, her tone dripping with condescension. She lifted a necklace from its box, its luxury unmistakable, and clasped it around her neck with a practiced ease, casting a provocative glance at Raegan. "Wesley gave this to me as an engagement gift. Do you like it?"

"It suits you perfectly."

Raegan had always admired this necklace, gazing at it whenever she found herself near the display case at the mall.

How could she not? It was beautiful.

One day, Wesley had caught her looking. He casually inquired, "You like it?"

Raegan, not wanting to admit her true feelings, simply shook her head. She mentioned the design was innovative, a potential inspiration for his designers.

She never imagined that the necklace she dreamed of would end up as Lillian's engagement present.

The irony.

"Just thinking about marrying Wesley fills me with joy." Lillian, with a self-satisfied smile, looked at Raegan. "You've put in a lot of effort these days. Thank you."

A pang of sadness struck Raegan, but she kept her composure. "You're welcome. It's part of my job. Congratulations, Miss Morgan."

Lillian seemed pleased with Raegan's demeanor, taking it as acknowledgment of her own superiority. She was about to add another snide comment when Wesley entered the room.

He glanced at them, his face turning cold.

His eyes moved from Lillian's smug smile to Raegan. "What's going on?" he asked.

Raegan approached and placed her resignation letter on the desk. "I've decided to resign."

Wesley stopped in his tracks, his brows knitting together.

He looked at the letter and then at Raegan, who appeared indifferent.

"Okay."

His response was exactly as Raegan had anticipated.

Resigning didn't bring her joy or sorrow.

She realized she never really had a place in his heart. Leaving on her own terms, at least, let her keep some self-respect.

"Thank you, Mr. Powell," Raegan said, striving to sound unaffected.

Wesley, irritated by her calmness, responded briskly, "Make sure to properly hand over your responsibilities before you leave."

Raegan met his indifferent stare with a self-mocking laugh. Had she actually expected anything different?

"I will."

Without a backward glance, she exited his office.

"Wes, let's go have dinner. There's a great specialty restaurant nearby."

Wesley, irritated, noticed the open gift box. "Did you open this?"

Lillian was taken aback. Wesley had never used that tone with her before.

She clenched her hands tighter. "I'm sorry. I won't touch your stuff again."