?Chapter 1242:


    “Did I wake you?” he whispered, noticing the lines of concern on her forehead and reaching out to soothe them. She hadn’t had a peaceful night’s sleep since the incident.


    “No, I’ve had enough rest,” Harlee responded quietly, resting her head on his shoulder. “Rhys, I want to leave the hospital.”


    Was her urgency to leave driven by the pain of being in a ce that reminded her of Tonya’s demise? Rhys felt a pang in his heart as he tenderly stroked her hair and smiled softly. “Alright, I’ll arrange for your discharge tomorrow.”


    “Really?” Harlee looked up at him, surprised.


    Rhys gave a small frown, pretending to be displeased. “When have I ever told you a lie?”


    “Not long ago, with the Anigenia situation,” Harlee answered seriously, her gaze intense.


    Rhys hesitated for a moment and then yfully flicked her forehead with a smirk. “Alright, tease me all you want for now. But once you’re back on your feet, we’ll see how I handle you.”


    “Handle me? What exactly would you do?” Harlee asked, her curiosity piqued.


    Rhys leaned in closer, his whisper tickling her ear. “In bed.”


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    Harlee’s cheeks turned crimson. This wasn’t the reserved Rhys she knew. He had never cracked such words before.


    Harlee bit her lip. It seemed she had to adjust to this new side of Rhys, one that merged with his twelve-year-old self. “Going back to sleep?” Rhys suddenly asked.


    Harlee’s thoughts wandered to something more suggestive, but before she could reply, he added, “Or would you like to hear a story?”


    “Okay,” Harlee murmured, quietly tucking her hair behind her ears to hide the redness.


    “In the depths of the ocean, there was a magnificent castle where six mermaid princesses lived. Each was stunningly beautiful…” Rhys began his story about mermaids. This version, crafted by him, was no children’s tale.


    In his story, a mermaid faced numerous perils onnd before transforming into sea foam. When the foam dissipated, everything reverted to the way it was. The mermaid regained her carefree spirit, free from any delusions about the human world.


    “How lovely,” Harlee said with a wistful sigh, a touch of sadness in her eyes. “Tonya and the others must be like those mermaid princesses, turning into foam and drifting back to a carefree existence.”


    She curled up tightly, her voice growing fainter. “I miss you all so much. Why don’t you visit me in my dreams?”


    Rhys soothed her back, pulling her in closer.


    “Rhys, I can’t control myself. I miss them so much…” Tears started to fill Harlee’s eyes as she gripped his shirt, crying. “Whenever I shut my eyes, I see it again—Christopher and Hamilton copsing right in front of me.” Gradually, Harlee began to pinch her palms and thighs. Rhys attempted to intervene, but she only pinched more intensely.


    “Do you think they hold it against me for not protecting them well? Is that why they don’t appear in my dreams?” She looked up at the ceiling, tears rolling down her cheeks, her hands and thighs marked red from her own grasp.


    As Rhys observed Harlee’s self-harm, he couldn’t help but think back to the three years he had been away. Did she endure those endless, lonely nights like this? Had her persistent self-me driven her into this deep depression?


    It was Rhys’ first time seeing Harlee in such despair. When they first met, she radiated vitality and joy. Now, she was stuck in a cycle of guilt and self-recrimination.


    Rhys bowed his head and tenderly kissed her forehead. Cupping her face, he made her meet his gaze. “Lee, you are just their leader. You can’t always foresee things and prevent your team from harm’s way. Perhaps they haven’t visited your dreams yet because they’re still sorting out their affairs.”


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