Rehab for SuperVillains (18+)-Chapter 140: Don’t tell me

The Haven’s dining table simmered with tension.

"Don’t tell me you’re buying her stupid act, Kael," Rhea said, her voice sharp, her ruby necklace swaying as she leaned forward, her black tank top creasing. "It’s an obvious trap. Lila’s lying to you, she didn’t save me or anything. It was Harris who saved me."

Kael’s hazel eyes met hers, steady and calm.

"About that," he said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small pen drive, its black casing glinting in his hand.

"Yesterday, when I went out to register our team, I also stopped by the city’s control center. I got the footage from the day and time you and your team fought the Haunter Twins in that alley." He paused, and put the pen drive on the dining table. "I watched it, Rhea. Lila’s telling the truth."

Rhea’s eyes widened, her jaw tightening, but she didn’t speak. Freya leaned forward, her blue eyes narrowing.

"You have it?" she asked, her voice low, intrigued.

Kael nodded, standing up. "Right here. Come on, I’ll show you."

He walked to the TV room and plugged the pen drive into the usb port.

Freya and Rhea followed, settling on the couch on either side of him, their shoulders brushing his, turning the ample space into a cramped space.

Rhea’s hand instinctively found Kael’s, her fingers tightening as the video began to play, her amber eyes fixed on the screen.

Kael’s hand rested over hers, a quiet reassurance, his warmth grounding her.

The footage was grainy but clear, capturing a darkened alley bathed in the flicker of a broken streetlight.

Rhea’s past self, clad in a scorched superhero suit, fought desperately against an unseen force, her flames bursting in wild arcs as shadowy blades struck from nowhere.

Tila, one of the Haunter Twins, materialized briefly, her black gown blending with the darkness, her face completely blackened, her shadowy blade slicing into Rhea’s arm.

Rhea’s scream was silent in the footage, but her stumble was vivid, her fire faltering as she punched and shot flames at empty air.

Rhea’s grip on Kael’s hand tightened, her nails digging into his skin as she watched herself take a brutal hit, a deep gash opening on her thigh.

She fell to her knees, blood pooling on the asphalt, her face contorted in pain.

Tila appeared behind her, her blade raised for a killing blow, her shadowy form radiating menace.

Rhea’s breath hitched, her amber eyes glistening, the memory of that near-death moment flooding back.

Then, abruptly, another shadow, Lila materialized beside Tila, her own shadowy form distinct yet softer, her curly hair faintly visible.

She grabbed Tila’s arm, stopping the blade mid-air, her lips moving urgently as she spoke.

Tila’s head tilted, her expression unreadable, before she nodded and vanished into the shadows.

Lila remained, standing behind the unconscious Rhea, her gaze lifting to the camera.

Her eyes seemed to pierce through time, as if she knew Kael would one day see this, her expression a mix of resolve and plea.

She nodded and then disappeared back into the shadows, a second before Harris came running towards Rhea’s battered form.

Kael shut off the TV, the screen fading to black, the silence in the Haven deafening.

He turned to Freya, who was leaning over him, her blue eyes thoughtful, her platinum-cyan hair brushing his shoulder.

"What do you think, Freya?" he asked, his voice quiet but firm.

Freya leaned back, her blue eyes distant, her fingers tapping her knee.

"I am not sure," she said, her voice measured.

"It could be a trap to lure you out. But she had you alone in the sewer tunnel yesterday—she could’ve killed you then. So, either she’s after me for some reason, or she’s telling the truth about wanting to rehab Tila." She paused, her lips pursing.

"But, if Lila wanted me dead, she could’ve slipped through the gap in my door back when I had the power-suppressing collar. I was vulnerable then—she could have easily killed me or forced me out of my room if she wanted something from me."

"So, it leaves me, maybe she wants to lure me out in the open, but... if Lila wanted me dead, she could’ve slipped through the gap in my door back when I had the power-suppressing collar. She didn’t. So, either she’s after something else, or she’s telling the truth about needing your help with Tila."

Kael nodded, a small, approving smile tugging at his lips. "Nice deduction, Freya."

Rhea’s glare didn’t waver, her amber eyes boring into Kael, her hand still gripping his, though her touch softened slightly.

She wanted to believe it was a trap—her gut screamed it—but the footage gnawed at her.

She remembered that day, Tila’s maniacal laughter as she sliced through her team, her glee unhinged, her attacks relentless.

Tila hadn’t just fought; she’d reveled in the chaos, her sanity fraying with every strike.

Rhea’s throat tightened, a reluctant realization settling in.

"She... she needs help, Kael," Rhea said finally, her voice low, almost a whisper, her amber eyes turning to him, heavy with conflict. "Tila’s not just dangerous—she’s insane."

Kael’s hazel eyes widened, surprise flickering across his face.

"Are you sure?" he asked, his tone gentle, searching her expression.

Rhea nodded, her jaw tight, her ruby necklace glinting as she shifted.

"I know what it’s like to lose it, Kael. I’ve been there—nightmares, blood, no control. Tila’s worse. She laughed like a lunatic when she cut me, like it was a game. She’s not sane. " ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

Freya’s hand rested on Rhea’s shoulder, her blue eyes warm with solidarity.

"Let’s get that psycho bitch," she said, her voice firm. "But we do this our way, Kael. Tila’s on a leash—metaphorically or literally, I don’t care. One wrong move, and she’s out, I don’t want her to even as much as touch you."

Kael’s grin broke through, a mix of relief and determination. "That’s the plan. Bringing Tila to the Haven is REAPER’s first unofficial mission. We’ll keep Tila under lock and key, and if she’s salvageable, we rehab her. If not..." His hazel eyes darkened, his voice hardening. "We take her down."