Chapter 20: Chapter 20

Chapter 20:

“Is something wrong?” he asked, confused.

Harlee just shook her head and gestured to the staff to secure the harnesses. Since Nathaniel’s nurse had arranged the tickets, she figured he likely hadn’t realized the platform’s setup.

But as soon as the staff strapped them in tightly, Rhys understood something was off.

They found themselves pressed together, held so close that there was no space between them.

As they stood on the platform, gazing down at the sheer drop, Rhys suddenly asked, “Are you scared?”

Harlee appeared unfazed and showed no hint of nerves.

“Not in the least.” To her, this was just bungee jumping.

Compared to the skydiving she used to do, it was nothing.

Rhys went quiet.

Harlee glanced at his serious expression, slightly curious.

Could he be afraid? But his face revealed nothing.

Moments later, they leapt off the platform, plunging downward as the rush of free fall and the roar of the wind filled their senses.

“Are you afraid of heights?” she asked.

Rhys’ body was rigid and ice-cold against hers, reminding Harlee of a statue carved from ice.

His face had lost all color, turning a stark shade of white. Rhys couldn’t utter a word.

At that moment, Harlee was certain.

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He was genuinely afraid of heights. She had to admit he was impressively obedient to his grandpa’s words, willing to jump despite his fear. Though his expression was blank, his eyes were unfocused with fear.

For a brief moment, Harlee worried Rhys might actually pass out in mid-air.

After a slight hesitation, she reached out and hugged him tightly, hoping her warmth might steady him.

Almost instantly, Rhys wrapped his arms around her in return, holding her so firmly that it felt as if he wanted to fuse her to him.

At this moment, Rhys heard the loud thumping of his heart as he took in Harlee’s sweet scent due to their proximity.

Rhys and Harlee landed on a fishing boat on the lake, causing it to sway violently. Rhys instinctively squeezed Harlee’s hand tighter, their fingers clasped together.

He didn’t release her even when they reached the shore.

“Rhys!” Lindsay rushed over, having sprinted all the way here for Rhys. When Lindsay spotted Rhys and Harlee holding hands, she quickened her pace, wanting to separate them.

Lindsay hissed at Harlee, “You shameless tramp! How dare you! Let go of Rhys! You filthy country bumpkin! The nerve of you touching Rhys. Who knows what germs you have? Ugh…”

Before Rhys could reach Harlee, he shoved Lindsay aside. Lindsay was stunned, her eyes wide with disbelief and pain.

“Rhys…”

Rhys wore a cold and threatening expression. Knowing she had rubbed him the wrong way, Lindsay quickly shifted the topic.

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