The night was deep and quiet.


    Ste was awakened by a series of soft murmurs.


    "Star... Star..."


    At first, Ste thought Joshua was calling for her, but when she opened her eyes, she saw he was still asleep on the floor.


    Moonlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a silvery glow over the room. Ste got out of bed and switched on the small bedsidemp.


    Joshua was thrashing in his sleep, his voice a low, frantic mumble. Beads of sweat glistened on his forehead, and his features were twisted in a mask of pain, as if he were trapped in a waking hell.


    Ste quickly tried to wake him. "Joshua, wake up...''


    She called his name for a long time, but he didn''t stir.


    "1


    Joshua was normally extremely alert; it was impossible that he wouldn''t wake up from this.


    Just as Ste was wondering what to do, Joshua finally opened his eyes.


    Ste let out a sigh of relief. She took a tissue and gently wiped the sweat from his forehead.


    "Joshua, were you having a nightmare?"


    Under the warm orange light, the woman''s eyes were so gentle, like a beacon that could illuminate any darkness.


    Joshua''s unfocused pupils slowly came into focus.


    He shot up and pulled Ste into a tight embrace, his chaotic heartbeat echoing clearly in the quiet night.


    His body was trembling slightly, his breathing ragged and heavy.


    Ste said softly, "Joshua, what did you dream about?"


    After a long moment, Joshua said hoarsely, "I dreamed that I lost you. I kept looking for you, but I couldn''t find you anywhere."


    Her heart ached for him. She gently patted his back, soothing him with a soft voice.


    "Joshua, that was just a dream. It wasn''t real."


    Under Ste''sforting touch, Joshua gradually calmed down.


    Ste got up to pour him a ss of water. After he took a few sips, he finally seemed to have fully recovered.


    "Star, I''m sorry for waking you," he said.


    Ste shook her head gently.


    She looked at the sharp profile of his face and said in a low voice, "Joshua, I''ve already confirmed the treatment n with Ms. Quinn. After your medical team here finishes their evaluation, can we start the treatment?"


    Joshua was quiet for only a moment before he replied softly, "Okay. I''m sorry to trouble you during this time."


    A sudden lump formed in Ste''s throat.


    Ever since Laurel Quinn left, she had


    been trying to figure out how to


    bring this up with him. She was afraid he wouldn''t ept it, worried :


    aould get emotional and insist


    he


    there was nothing wrong with him.


    But she never expected him to ept it so quickly and calmly.


    Most patients with mental health conditions don''t believe they''re sick; they even refuse to ept that there''s a problem. Yet Joshua not only epted it, he waspletely serene about it.


    Perhaps he knew, with perfect rity, that he was sick.


    At that thought, her heart ached for him even more.


    Ste wanted to say something, but suddenly felt that any words would be hollow. In


    the end, she just said softly, "Joshua, the floor is cold. Come sleep on the bed."


    However, Joshua refused again.


    "No, it''s fine. I''ll sleep on the floor."


    His second refusal made Ste''s fingers tighten.


    Although she knew Joshua wasn''t that kind of person, she couldn''t help but let her mind wander. Was he letting the kidnapping get in his head, creating a wall between them?


    At that thought, a wave of disappointment washed over her.


    Looking at Joshua, Ste decided she had to clear the air.