Fated To Three, Betrayed By All… Until She Rose novel Chapter 89

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

Everyone around me has transformed. It’s not the kind of change that comes from being busy or suddenly caring more deeply about me. No, this felt far more sinister; it was as if they were all intentionally drifting away, like ships lost at sea.

And I despised it.

With every ounce of my being.

My resentment for Leilani had reached new heights, a seething fury that I could no longer contain. I didn’t need any mystical fortune-teller to see that she was at the heart of this fracture.

Earlier today at Frostclaw, the way everyone reacted when she slapped me was the final piece of the puzzle. Their shocked gasps and murmurs told me everything I needed to know. I realized then that I had to escalate my efforts. I needed to stoke the flames of this chaos, to retaliate against her when she least expected it.

10:19

As I replayed the moment in my mind, my blood boiled. She had been so brazen, so audacious to slap me right in front of the crowd, and not a single person dared to intervene—not even Gavin.

The thought of it ignited a fire within me, and just as I was about to shake off the anger by indulging in some spicy fast food, the doorbell chimed, cutting through my thoughts. Kael sauntered in, looking as if he had just endured the worst kind of day.

Dressed in a sharp three-piece suit, he exuded an effortless charm, even with his hair tousled as though he had run his fingers through it a hundred times. The light from the chandelier caught in his stormy gray eyes, and for a fleeting moment, my gaze lingered on his lips, a silent wish forming in my heart… Oh, how I longed for him to kiss me.

What I would give to feel his lips on me right now!

Our eyes locked, and instead of the usual warm smile that brightened his face, he let out a heavy sigh.

“Hey Kael, how was your day?” I asked softly, even though it hadn’t been long since we last saw each other.

I draped my arms over his shoulders, leaning in to initiate a kiss, but he remained rigid—too rigid. He didn’t reciprocate, and a frown creased my brow.

“Are you okay?”

“Mhm.”

“Did the drive help at all?”

“Mhm.”

His vague responses grated on my nerves, but I resolved not to let his mood dampen mine. I sighed, pressing on, “Have you eaten? Lunch? Dinner?”

“I’m not in the mood.”

That struck a nerve. I stood toe-to-toe with him, planting my hands firmly on my hips, tilting my chin up to catch his gaze. I wanted him to notice me, to see the way my body was positioned, offering him a clear view of my curves.

Just one glance, I silently pleaded.

But he didn’t take the bait. Rolling my eyes in frustration, I said, “You don’t look so good. Do you want me to take care of you?”

Finally, he looked at me—really looked at me. His dark eyes roamed my face, lingering a moment too long before he brushed a stray strand of hair behind my ear and murmured, “You should rest. You’re not fully recovered yet.”

His deep, masculine voice sent shivers down my spine, igniting a fire within me. I leaned into his touch, eyes fluttering closed as I whispered, “I need you.”

“And I need you to get better first.”

“But I’m already better,” I countered, yearning for his hands on my skin again. I missed the way he would explore my body with the fervor of a starving man. Goddess, I craved the sensation of him inside me right now.

Without thinking, my body reacted, throbbing with desire as I spread my legs slightly, batting my eyelashes at him. Usually, that would entice him, but today, it fell flat.

Determined, I took his hand, guiding it down until his fingers brushed against my most sensitive area.

My desire flowed freely, and I wanted him to savor it, to fill me with his fingers, to stretch me in ways only he could.

For a moment, his eyes glazed over, but then he sighed, pulling his hand away. To my utter shock, he wiped his fingers clean with a handkerchief.

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