Fated To Three, Betrayed By All… Until She Rose novel Chapter 35

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

In this godforsaken country, where shadows lingered longer than the sunlight, I found myself engulfed in a storm of emotions.

Leilani.

The water from the shower was scalding, a relentless torrent that poured over my skin, yet it did little to wash away the bitterness that clung to me like a second skin. I had scrubbed at my body mercilessly for the past fifteen minutes, my skin now raw and tender, but no amount of cleansing could rid me of his scent.

Caelum.

That bastard had the audacity to insult me in ways that twisted my insides. Despite everything, my body betrayed me, responding to him like a moth drawn to a flame.

Tears threatened to spill from the corners of my eyes as I replayed the memories of our encounter, each recollection igniting a fresh wave of anger within me. In a fit of rage, I gripped the detachable showerhead tightly, envisioning it as his throat, the very thing I longed to choke the life out of.

And, oh, how I wished it could be his throat soon…

My dark fantasies were abruptly interrupted by the shrill ring of my phone echoing through the room. The sound sliced through my fury, pulling me back to reality. I hesitated for a moment, my heart racing as I glanced at the screen. The number was unfamiliar, unsaved.

Who the hell is this?

I considered ignoring it, letting the unknown caller ring until they grew weary and hung up. But an unsettling feeling gnawed at me, suggesting that whatever this was, it held significance.

With a resigned sigh, I pressed the phone to my ear, my heart pounding like a war drum. Silence enveloped me, save for the sound of erratic breathing on the other end. Confusion, fear, and rage swirled within me, making my hands tremble.

I was on the brink of hanging up, ready to sever this strange connection.

One,

Two…

“Leilani.” The voice that emerged was feminine, soft yet trembling, and the moment it reached my ears, my heart plummeted.

I froze, tears threatening to spill over as a wave of dizziness washed over me.

For years, I had yearned for this call. I had hoped against hope that she would reach out, if only to explain why. Why she had turned her back on me, why she had never stood up for me when I needed her most, and why she had joined in the chorus of those who bullied me.

“Leilani, it’s me, your mother.” Her voice cracked, laden with emotion. When I remained silent, she pressed on, “I know you’re there. I can hear you breathing, so please don’t hang up.”

“What is it?” I managed to croak out, my voice hoarse and strained.

After waiting so long to hear from her, finally hearing her voice only fueled my irritation. I wanted to lash out, to hurt her as she had hurt me, to show her the same indifference she had shown me all those years.

“Why are you calling?” I snarled, unable to contain the venom in my tone.

“Oh, my child—”

“Spare me!” I interjected, cutting her off sharply. “You and I both know you aren’t calling to reminisce about our withered family tree. Just get to the point, so we can both move on.”

“I heard about what happened at Frostclaw, Inc. today…” she began, her tone almost casual.

Of course, you did!

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