Fated To Three, Betrayed By All… Until She Rose novel Chapter 115

**Healing Slowly But Surely By R. Joseph**

Take me back.

Jarek.

As I sat in my office, the silence wrapping around me like a heavy blanket, I found myself waiting with a mix of anticipation and dread for Leilani to return from her hospital visit. My mind wandered, contemplating what she might have learned, whether there was good news or more challenges ahead. Just as I began to lose myself in thought, my phone rang, shattering the stillness.

I lifted the device to my ear, half-hoping it was Leilani, ready to share her insights, and half-expecting a call from my Beta, Orion, relaying some urgent pack matters. However, the voice that greeted me was far from either of them. It was Keisha. Her tone was surprisingly upbeat as she announced, “My health is better now.”

A frown creased my brow as I stared at the screen, as if it were some vile creature. My voice came out rough, a rasp that barely masked my disdain. “And what has that got to do with me?”

A moment of uncomfortable silence stretched between us, heavy with unspoken words, before her sigh reached my ears. “I wish to see you, Jarek. It’s important.” And just like that, she ended the call, leaving me with a cacophony of conflicting emotions.

Her words echoed in my mind, a haunting refrain that stirred something deep within me. I wanted to loathe her, to bury that part of me that still cared, but as I replayed her voice over and over, I realized that I didn’t just hate her. I despised her… and yet, I felt a strange twinge of pity for her. It was a confusing mix, and one I couldn’t quite untangle.

Rationally, I knew I shouldn’t go to see her. She didn’t deserve my time or attention. But against my better judgment, my body moved on its own accord. I found myself rising from my chair, slipping into my car, and driving toward the hospital, each passing moment filled with a growing sense of dread.

As I drove, I whispered a silent prayer to the moon goddess, hoping against hope that today she would possess enough clarity to reject our mate bond. But as soon as I stepped into her hospital ward, I realized my wish had gone unanswered.

She embraced me.

Like a shadow that had crept up on me, she threw herself into my arms, and I recoiled, disgust churning in my stomach. My face contorted as I pulled back, keeping her at arm’s length, my eyes scanning her appearance. She wore clothes that suited her better, and there was a faint glow on her face that I found infuriating. “What was that for?” I spat, my irritation bubbling to the surface.

Her head dipped, a coyness in her demeanor as she whispered, “I missed you, and that’s what it was for.”

Her words, dripping with a sincerity I found revolting, made my stomach churn. I could almost taste the bile rising in my throat.

I turned my gaze away from her, taking in the state of the room. It was clear she had packed up, ready to leave the confines of the hospital. But knowing her, I felt a sense of impending doom wash over me; I was all too aware that this meant she would soon be back in my life, attempting to worm her way into my existence once again, and the thought made me uneasy.

“You’re set to leave?” I drawled, my tone flat.

She nodded eagerly, her lashes fluttering as she gazed up at me, her eyes sparkling with a hope I found irritating. “Yes, but I don’t have anywhere to go… that’s why I wanted to see you.”

“And?”

“And I wanted to know if you could let me live with you for a while… at least until I’m back on my feet. I also wanted to—”

“No.” The word burst from my lips before she could finish, cutting through the air like a knife.

Her eyes widened in disbelief, and I could see the shock wash over her as she searched my face for any sign of mercy.

I couldn’t blame her for being taken aback; there was once a time when uttering the word ‘no’ felt like a sin against the goddess.

I gritted my teeth, feeling her hand drape over my crossed arms, her voice trembling as she asked, “You still haven’t forgiven me?”

“I never gave the impression that I would ever forgive you, Keisha.” My tone was icy, and I ignored the way her face fell, as if my words were a physical blow. “In fact, I came here hoping you would have the sense to realize that our bond is a mistake, and that we ought to reject each other. But now I see I was mistaken.”

Her expression crumbled at my words, and she began to sob quietly, the sound grating against my nerves.

There was a time when I believed that the reason I no longer loved Keisha was because I was still angry. I thought if she could just give me enough reasons to forgive her, we could return to the way things were.

But as I stood before her, watching her cry, I came to a chilling realization: I felt nothing. No love, no anger, not even pity as she wept.

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