Chapter 396

Thalassa was ushered into the hospital room.

Leopold followed closely behind.

Thalassa was lying on the bed, her head wrapped in gauze, a faint trace of crimson seeping through.

It was unclear whether it was iodine used for disinfection or blood.

Looking at Thalassa’s ghostly pale face, Leopold felt his heart twisted in guilt.

“When will she wake up?” Leopold asked the nurse.

“She should be awake soon, the nurse replied.

Leopold approached the bed, bending slightly to get a better look at Thalassa.

Her beautiful and oval face was abnormally pale, and her lips too, were devoid of color. Her long lashes cast a shadow over her closed eyes, accentuating the bluish circles underneath.

She looked frail and devastated.

Leopold’s heart clenched at the sight, filled with anguish.

He reached out, intending to caress her face. As his fingers neared her cheek, a surge of bitterness, pain, and longing overwhelmed him.

What he desired was not just to touch her face, but to hold her in his arms, tightly, never to let go.

He loved her, a love so profound that he couldn’t escape, a love that invaded his every dream.

Leopold’s hand, hovering mid-air, trembled slightly, just as he was about to touch her face.

Thalassa’s eyes fluttered open, her bright orbs demanding attention the moment they were revealed.

Leopold froze, his hand stuck in mid-air.

“Leopold,” Thalassa’s voice was weak.

“I’m here.” Leopold quickly withdrew his hand, pretending as if he had done nothing. His face was a mix of excitement and nervousness, his warm eyes fixed on her. “How are you feeling? Any discomfort?”

Thalassa shook her head slightly, but the small motion made her head feel heavy and dizzy. She grimaced in discomfort.

Seeing this, Leopold quickly said, “You have a concussion. Try not to move your head if you don’t have to.”

Thalassa finally understood why her head was in such discomfort, and why she felt nauseous.

She took a deep breath, her gaze returning to Leopold. She noticed the large scrape on his face, the dried blood, yellowish pus, and fresh scab, all covered in dirt and dust.

It was a sight that made her heart lurch.

Clearly, it had not been treated yet.

“You’re hurt,” Thalassa said worriedly, “You should get a doctor to treat your injuries.”

“It’s just a scratch,” Leopold said.

“A scratch on the face can’t be taken lightly. If it’s not treated properly, it could get infected and leave a scar,” Thalassa said.

“What if it does leave a scar?” Leopold asked somewhat dejectedly.

“Scars aren’t pretty. Aren’t you worried it’ll affect your looks?” Thalassa said, speaking from the heart.

A glimmer of hope flashed in Leopold’s warm but injured eyes. He asked, “Do you care about my looks?”

His question was filled with deep emotion, yet straightforward.

His eyes, warm like sunshine, were filled with anticipation and nervousness.

Thalassa hesitated, her gaze fixed on him.

Having been in a relationship, she knew him well.

She knew that he still held onto the hope of them being together.

She lowered her eyes slightly, avoiding his gaze, “Your family would care. They would worry about you.”

“What about you? Would you care and worry about me?” Leopold persisted in asking this question. To him, no one else’s concern mattered. Only hers did, for it was the most precious thing in the world to him.

Thalassa was torn, unsure of how to respond.

She did not want to give him false hope, knowing that they could never be. She did not want him to continue living in denial.