?Chapter 1233:


    The sharp scent of disinfectant intensified, and Harlee grew visibly paler, her hands clenched in apprehension about what might lie ahead. Outside the lengthy ICU corridor, they were alone, and no one else was in sight. Suddenly, Harlee’s tears overwhelmed her. She had hoped some of them would have survived. How could this be…


    Just as her sight blurred with tears, she spotted a familiar figure approaching.


    Jonathan slowly walked over, wearing a white T-shirt that clung to his painfully thin frame. His pale face was expressionless, giving him an appearance ofplete detachment.


    As Jonathan walked past Harlee, he suddenly stopped, as if he couldn’t believe she was still alive. After a long pause, he turned to her, his voice thick. “Harlee, are you alright now?” But the sparkle that once lit his eyes was gone.


    Harlee didn’t respond. Instead, she tightened her fists and, with her voice trembling, asked, “Jonathan, where is Tonya? What happened to Robbie and Patrick?”


    Jonathan paused, his lips parting as though struggling to release the words. “Who’s inside?” Harlee asked, her tone suddenly growing unnervingly calm. Rhys looked at her, worry etching his features.


    Just as Jonathan was about to speak, Patrick entered, his head bowed. Unaware of his surroundings, he nearly collided with Harlee’s wheelchair, but Rhys’ gentle cough caught his attention. Looking up abruptly, Patrick’s eyes widened in shock, and he crumpled to the floor, ovee with tears. “Harlee, I couldn’t save him. I failed…”


    At that moment, Patrick seemed like a small child, devastated by his own shorings, kneeling on the floor, his hands shaking.


    A wave of sorrow hit Harlee. She reached out to softly touch his back,forting him. “I know you tried your hardest. I know.”


    Yet, her soothing words seemed lost on Patrick. He continued to cry loudly, mourning his inability to protect them.


    Harlee simply held Patrick closer, patting his back to offer somefort.


    As Harlee embraced Patrick, Rhys started to step forward, his hand halfway extended, but then he hesitated and withdrew it, standing silently by. He watched as Harleeforted Patrick, choosing not to intervene.


    It took a while for Patrick to regain hisposure. His eyes, red and swollen, finally met Harlee’s. The words he uttered next seemed to break him further. “Harlee, Robbie… Robbie’s throat is damaged. He’ll never be able to eat again.”


    The news struck Harlee hard, rendering her speechless. The realization that Robbie would never again enjoy the foods he loved, that had once brought such joy to his face, was almost too much to bear.


    Harlee fought back the tears, trying to stay strong. “What about the others?” she asked, her voice barely steady.


    “The others…” Patrick’s voice faltered, his fists clenched as he struggled with his emotions. “Hamilton and Christopher…”


    “I know. They were shot down right in front of me,” Harlee cut in, sparing him from having to ry the painful details. Her expression gradually became moreposed.


    Rhys observed her intently, aware that profound sadness often left no room for tears. He was worried…


    Patrick, caught off guard, hadn’t expected Harlee to have witnessed such a harrowing moment. He struggled to find the right words to say.


    Behind him, Jonathan, who had regained someposure, said in a detached tone, “It wasn’t only them. Ritchie, too…”


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