Fated To Three, Betrayed By All… Until She Rose novel Chapter 41

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

**41 All Shades of Strange.**

“Leilani,” Jarek murmured, his voice a gentle whisper that seemed to hang in the air, as if he feared that even the slightest sound might shatter the fragile moment between us. It was as though he anticipated my collapse at any second, like a house of cards ready to tumble down.

I attempted to shrug it off, to project an air of indifference, but the movement turned into something more akin to a small tremor. I quickly ceased, realizing that my body was still quaking from the aftershocks of the earlier chaos. My heart raced in my chest, pounding like a drum, refusing to settle. Taking a deep breath, I sighed, discreetly wiping my tears with the back of my sleeve before finally meeting Jarek’s penetrating gaze. “I’m okay,” I insisted, though the words felt hollow even to my own ears.

“You’re not…” he replied, his voice soft yet heavy with concern. He cautiously draped his arm around my shoulders, gently prying the small box from my fingers, as if it were a fragile artifact.

I leaned into his embrace, inhaling deeply, enveloped by his rich, masculine scent mingled with a hint of cologne. It was intoxicating, a heady blend that made me wish I could stay in this moment forever. I craved the warmth radiating from him, the comfort it provided.

But then, a jolt of realization struck me. What was I thinking?

My eyes widened at the thought, and I quickly shook my head, trying to dispel the warmth creeping into my cheeks as I disentangled myself from his hold.

Have I ever mentioned that Jarek is part Asian? Probably not.

Well, now you know!

His deep, dark eyes, shaped with an Asian slant, locked onto mine, searching for something unspoken.

“What do you want me to do with these?” he asked quietly, his gaze shifting to the letter in my hand, treating it like a dangerous relic. He didn’t even acknowledge the bouquet of roses sitting beside it.

His expression was laden with discomfort, a silent plea that hinted he wished to be anywhere but here, witnessing this moment.

I averted my gaze from the objects, my voice barely above a whisper. “Trash them.”

He paused, his eyes widening in disbelief as he turned to face me. “You’re not curious to know who these came from?”

I shrugged dismissively, a flicker of irritation sparking within me. “No, I am not. If they wanted to be known, they would have shown themselves. I have no interest in playing a game of dramatic hide-and-seek. Just throw everything away, please.”

True to his nature, Jarek didn’t argue. He simply nodded and gathered everything—the roses, the letter—before tossing them into my trash can with a deliberate care that suggested he was lost in thought.

Watching him, my heart felt heavy. For a fleeting moment, I caught sight of his muscles flexing under his suit, the way his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. Jarek was undeniably handsome—no wonder women flocked to him like moths to a flame. Shaking off the thought, I forced a grin and waved him over. “I asked you to throw those things away, not to give me a show!”

He frowned, his eyes widening in mock disbelief. “What?”

“You’re tossing them out like there’s a hidden paparazzi lurking around, ready to snap your picture,” I teased, pretending to scan the room for said ‘paparazzi’ before shaking my head. “I just double-checked. There isn’t. Now, come on!”

At last, the frown on Jarek’s face began to fade, replaced by one of his signature smiles, complete with a playful wink. “Sounds like someone enjoyed the show!”

I scrunched my nose in playful disgust. “Eww.”

He feigned shock, a look of genuine disappointment crossing his features. “Did you just say eww? To me? A whole me?”

“Yes, of course. Eww,” I retorted, a smile breaking through as he finally walked over to me.

He rolled his eyes, exasperated but amused. “You’re unbelievably annoying.”

At that, I chuckled, the earlier tension fading as I nudged my shoulder against his arm, trying to annoy him further (though, truthfully, I simply wanted to feel his warmth against me, but I would never admit that).

“I know.”

Later that evening, after the awkwardness had finally dissipated, the kitchen filled with the mouthwatering aroma of roasted vegetables, infused with olive oil and fragrant herbs.

The table was elegantly set, dishes shimmering under the soft glow of the lights. Jarek and I had prepared a feast—a beautifully grilled salmon, drizzled with zesty lemon juice, paired with fluffy quinoa and a vibrant mix of broccoli, bell peppers, and zucchini, still sizzling from the oven.

“Looks amazing,” I remarked, pulling out a chair and settling down.

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