Spoiled by Mr. Russell, Chapter 2149

Alexander felt awful having said that. He had never considered using humans as vessels.

"How can they disregard Lily's life and treat her as a mere container for a new soul?"

He'd never spoken of it, but even Alexander, usually so composed, suffered nightmares. In one, he saw a woman identical to Lily. He called her name, but she ignored him, then slowly turned, a creepy smile spreading across her face. She tugged his arm, shouting maniacally, "I'm your fucking wife! Don't you know me?!"

"No! You're not! Where the hell is Lily? Return her to me!" Alexander screamed, jerking awake, drenched in sweat.

Darkness filled the room. The bed was cold and empty, his wife absent. Panic seized him; he felt as if he were about to lose her.

"Yes, as a vessel, but Rhea has always envied that."

Austin's jaw dropped. "What? Rhea envies being living dead?" He covered his mouth, staring at Alexander, who ignored him, addressing Mike instead. "Perhaps Rhea envies Lily's 'privilege.'"

"Then she must be out of her fucking mind!" Austin exclaimed. "What kind of person would envy someone about to become a puppet? If Rhea's body were still alive, but her soul were gone, would she still be the same person?"

"Not necessarily," Alexander mused. "Besides becoming a vessel, is it possible Rhea also wishes to control her own body using the virus?"

The others stared, bewildered. Alexander's suspicion seemed absurd, yet possible. After all, if soul transference existed, anything was possible—especially something a lunatic like Rhea might attempt.

"It's a possibility," Austin agreed, his eyes widening. He wouldn't have believed it before his recent experiences. He found it hard to believe, yet felt a strange sense of accomplishment.

Working with Dr. Blanc at X Department had opened Austin's eyes to a world he'd never known, revealing the limitations of his previous perspective. The more he learned, the more he realized his own ignorance.