Chapter 474

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Mitchel, looking much better than the day before, was standing by the car, dressed in an elegant black and white suit.

Janey's face lit up when she saw Mitchel and she quickly ran into his arms, asking excitedly: "Dad Mitchel, did you come to take me to school today?"

Mitchel bent down, wrapped Janey in a warm hug, and replied with a soft smile, “Of course. As long as I'm around here and I'm not on a business trip, I'll be the one to take you to school and bring you home, okay?

"Oh really?" Janey's excitement was evident, her face beaming with joy as she looked back at Raegan. "Mom, is it okay if Dad Mitchel takes me to school?"

Raegan, not wanting to upset Janey, gave a hesitant nod of approval.

«Woo hoo! Daddy, my mommy said yes! exclaimed Janey Mitchel fixed his eyes on Raegan and, with a smile, said, "Dad's happy too."

As Janey looked away, Raegan glanced at Mitchel. After everything she had said to him yesterday, he acted like nothing had happened. Worse yet, he made a point of taking Janey to and from school, well aware that she didn't dare reject him in front of Janey. It was clear that he did it on purpose.

The car door opened and before Raegan knew it, Janey was shoving her into the back seat.

Raegan and Mitchel flanked Janey. Mitchel had equipped the car with everything a child would need, including a safety seat designed for little ones.

During the ride, Janey and Mitchel filled the air with laughter, sharing stories from the past that kept boredom at bay.

After a teacher welcomed Janey to her preschool class, Raegan's façade of amusement faded and she turned to Mitchel with an icy question. "Mitchel, what is your point of view?"

Her cold question made Mitchel's heart skip a beat, but he managed to steady his voice. «Raegan, Janey is my daughter too. I've missed too many things about his life. "I can't let it continue to grow without me."

Raegan felt an intrusion looming over their lives, her irritation boiling. «Mitchel, don't you see? We have managed without you. "We always will."

Mitchel's complexion turned ashen as his words sank deep. However, he hid his pain, his voice strained. Raegan, you may not need me, but have you thought about Janey? Don't you think he needs me?

Mitchel's words struck a chord. Raegan knew that Janey was not only innocent, but deeply sensitive. Despite having outgrown her childhood introversion, Janey's psychologist had once advised her that a father figure could play a crucial role in her emotional development.

Sensing Raegan's uncertainty, Mitchel gently insisted, "Raegan, I'm not going to fight you over custody of Janey. I am his father and I don't want to hurt him. "I just want him to experience the love of a father."

His plea was soft and sincere. "Please let me be a part of your life."

Raegan was hesitant. Mitchell was right. I couldn't make a decision like that for Janey. After all, Mitchel was his biological father. And he had shown nothing but love for Janey, even when he was unaware that Janey was his biological daughter. If Mitchel's presence could bring some joy or improvement to Janey's life, denying her that opportunity seemed unfair.

Raegan took a moment to reflect and then laid out her conditions.

"You can see Janey, but there will be rules."

Mitchel's face lit up with hope. "Whatever you say, I will do it."

"The first rule is that you can't tell anyone that Janey is your daughter."

Raegan's stance was firm, born of a protective instinct. The Dixon family had always disliked him, and the news that Janey was Mitchel's biological daughter could be a blessing or a curse.

Mitchel agreed without hesitation. "Understood. Until he was in a position to openly protect Janey and Raegan, keeping Janey's paternity a secret was prudent and could prevent any unwanted attention. He harbored the hope of one day being openly recognized as a part of their lives.

"The second rule is that Janey won't go anywhere with you without my permission."

Mitchel nodded, accepting his condition.

"The last rule is that I hope not to cross paths with you beyond Janey's business." Raegan had to make it very clear that their interactions would be strictly about Janey. It wasn't an opportunity for Mitchel to get involved in her personal life.

This condition hit Mitchel hard, tempting him to protest, although he recognized his lack of legitimacy to do so. Any objection could jeopardize his fragile relationship with Janey and, by extension, Raegan.

I preferred this agreement to total separation.

With a heavy heart, he agreed: "Okay."

Raegan, however, remained skeptical of their agreement. She looked at him intently and said firmly, “I trust you to keep your word. If not, our agreement ends here.

Mitchell nodded. "I will keep your words," he assured her quickly.

Raegan, surprised by his quick compliance, preferred silence to further arguing and turned to leave.

Mitchel, unfazed, offered softly, “Raegan, let me take you to work. "It's on my route."

"No, thanks". His refusal was quick and, with a meaningful look, he added: “And please stop hanging around my house. Lack of sleep not only ages you prematurely, it also shortens your life expectancy!

The redness in his eyes, an unmistakable sign of his nightly vigils, had not gone unnoticed, nor had he ignored his waits all night outside his villa, as the driver had informed him.

However, Raegan's concern was not for Mitchel. She wanted to prevent Janey from becoming attached to someone who might not always be around due to health issues.

Mitchel offered a resigned smile. «Okay, I'll listen to you. "It won't happen again."

Once again, Raegan was speechless. The family driver was already nearby, waiting. He got into the car without looking at Mitchel again.

As Raegan's car drove away, Mitchel watched her determined departure, feeling a pang of sadness and at the same time a strange sense of satisfaction. This interaction was not a total loss.

Inside the car, Matteo started the engine and soon said, “Mr. Dixon, his father has been visiting Swynborough more often lately. "He has met with a biologist, according to our findings."

Trying to relax, Mitchel adjusted his tie and murmured, “Go deeper. "I need to know what he's up to."

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