Fated To Three, Betrayed By All… Until She Rose novel Chapter 59

**Healing Slowly But Surely**

**By R. Joseph**

As we prepared for the sauna, Leilani and I shed our everyday clothes, slipping into the soft, enveloping robes that felt like a gentle hug against our skin. The moment we entered the sauna, a wave of warm air washed over us, infused with a sweet, fragrant steam that had been tantalizing my senses for days. It was as if the atmosphere itself was beckoning me to step inside and surrender to its soothing embrace.

I moved deeper into the room, my thoughts consumed by the blissful warmth, completely oblivious to the presence of the woman trailing behind me. I sought refuge in the farthest corner, far removed from the chatter and especially from my twin sister. With a heavy sigh of relief, I sank onto the bench, allowing my head to fall back against the wall, closing my eyes in sheer contentment.

This sensation was unlike anything I had felt in weeks. It was the closest I had come to sheer ecstasy in what felt like an eternity.

The steam wrapped around me like a warm blanket, coaxing a soft smile from my lips. But just as I began to lose myself in this tranquil moment, my peace was abruptly disrupted by a shrill voice piercing through the steam: “Why did you walk out on me?!”

Chalice.

A wave of irritation surged through me. “I didn’t walk out on you,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper, laced with irritation. “There’s more than enough space for you to move around here… you don’t need to be glued to my side. You said your baby needed the sauna, not Leilani.”

She rolled her eyes dramatically, her expression morphing into a frown that deepened my frustration. “There’s no baby.”

My eyes widened in disbelief, but I chose to let it slide. “I’m not surprised. You’ve pulled stunts like this before. All I want is for you to keep your distance from me.”

“And why would I do that?” she shot back, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

“Because I don’t want you around me; you’re a walking disaster. Isn’t that reason enough?” I retorted, my patience wearing thin.

Chalice let out a low, dark chuckle, her hair swinging as she tossed it over her shoulder. The icy glare she directed at me sent a chill down my spine. “But baby, how do I stay away when you’ve been my ticket to stardom for as long as I can remember?”

I fell silent, my teeth grinding together in frustration.

“I don’t know why life has twisted itself this way, but it seems I can only enjoy anything when you’re suffering for it. I only get to be loved when you’re being pushed aside. If I want your friends to shower me with attention, all I need to do is get you into trouble.”

My heart clenched painfully at her words, and I fought back the tears that threatened to spill from my eyes. “Chalice, I’m warning you, don’t do something reckless.”

“Now, I want them to marry me as soon as possible. And I know they haven’t rejected you yet, and I need them to do that. So tell me, what do you think I would do?”

Panic surged through me, and I spat, “Go fuck yourself!”

“Wrong answer, sister…” she purred, her smile mocking me, as if my entire existence was merely a punchline to her twisted joke.

Rage bubbled within me, mingling with a fear I despised. I hated feeling weak, like I was being trampled underfoot.

Wiping my tears away with the back of my hand, I stood up, determined to turn away. But Chalice was quicker; she yanked me around so forcefully that I nearly lost my balance.

Her voice dropped to a menacing growl, cold and intimidating. “You don’t get to walk out on me, Leilani. Not when I’m not finished with you.”

“Is this why you followed me into the sauna? To threaten me? To hurt me?” I demanded, my heart racing.

When Chalice laughed, the sound scraped against my skin, sending goosebumps racing across my arms. She tilted her head back, a cruel smile on her lips. “No, don’t flatter yourself. I’m not here to hurt you. I’m here to hurt me.”

My eyes widened at her words, my pulse quickening in response. “Stop this charade already.” I seethed, “It’s getting old.”

“Well, I’m desperate, and it’s not my fault you’re always at the wrong place at the wrong time.” With that, she shoved me hard, latching onto me. I struggled against her grip, desperately trying to keep my footing. But with Chalice pulling me at an awkward angle, it was only a matter of time before we both toppled to the floor.

The impact was jarring; my head collided with the bench, while Chalice’s thudded against the ground with a sickening sound.

The few patrons in the sauna rushed over, their eyes wide with shock at the scene unfolding before them.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify