Fated To Three, Betrayed By All… Until She Rose novel Chapter 93

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

—

His lady.

Leilani.

“Jay?” I uttered, my voice trembling as if it were made of glass, ready to shatter at any moment. A strange weight settled in my chest, anchoring me to the spot. I longed to rush to him, to lift him from the depths of whatever abyss he was trapped in, but the terror reflected in his eyes held me captive. It was a look that sent icy tendrils of fear creeping up my spine, prickling my skin with unease.

“Jarek, are you okay?” I tried again, my voice barely above a whisper, but he remained silent, lost in a world I couldn’t reach. My gaze flickered nervously to the empty hallway behind me; a part of me screamed to escape, to flee from this unsettling scene. Yet, an inexplicable force deep within me urged me to stay put.

In a moment of reckless bravery—or perhaps foolishness—I shut the door behind me, sealing off the outside world, and cautiously approached him. I made sure to tread lightly, careful not to make any sudden movements that might startle him further.

Seeing Jay in such a state terrified me, but it also ignited a deep concern within my heart. As I knelt a few feet away from him, I whispered once more, “Jay, it’s Leilani.”

At the sound of my voice, he blinked, once, then twice, as if trying to shake off a spell. But then, to my horror, his expression crumpled like a fragile piece of paper, his tear-rimmed eyes clouded but not spilling over. He still remained mute, and I felt an overwhelming urge to reach out, yet I stayed still.

“Jay, you’re scaring me. What’s wrong with you? What’s happening to you?” Each word fell from my lips like stones, heavy with worry, and with each syllable, I could see him fracturing even more.

I couldn’t hold back any longer. I threw myself into his arms, and as soon as my arms encircled his neck, he began to tremble violently. His body felt like a furnace against mine, radiating heat, and slowly, as if he were fighting against some unseen force, he wrapped his arms around me too.

“Sweetcakes…”

Those words melted my heart, and I realized just how much I cherished hearing him call me that.

And like a complete fool, I found myself sobbing.

“Hey, hey… Sweetcakes!” He murmured, pulling back slightly to wipe away my tears with gentle fingers. “Please don’t cry. I’m so sorry I scared you like that. I really am. But I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not,” I insisted, shaking my head vigorously, my heart racing with fear that he could spiral back into that dark place I had found him in just moments ago.

This fear kept me from scolding him or pushing him too hard when he insisted he was okay. Instead, I softly whispered, “You know you can always talk to me, right? You know I’ll always be here for you, just like you’re always there for me, right?”

He smiled at me, but I noticed the slight twitch of his eyebrows, a telltale sign that he was still grappling with something. “Right.”

“I love you,” I murmured, pulling him in for another embrace. But the moment those words left my lips, he froze, pulling away to gaze down at me. In that instant, I could have sworn I saw a mix of longing, desire, and something darker—something resembling possessiveness—flicker in his eyes.

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I felt a wave of warmth envelop me as I wrapped my arms around his shoulders. He pressed his forehead against mine, a small smile dancing on his lips as he whispered, “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, princess.”

Oh, how my heart soared at those words! Even though his touch didn’t ignite my skin like the triplets’ did, it still sent a flurry of butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

“And you’re the best thing that’s happened to me,” I replied softly, earning a tender peck on my head.

But just as quickly as the moment bloomed, it withered away when a knock echoed through the room. Before either Jarek or I could regain our composure, the door creaked open, revealing Yvette, her expression one of shock.

Beside her stood a burly man, his jaw dropping in surprise as his eyes landed on Jarek and me.

“Oh!” He gasped, and Yvette turned to him, but I couldn’t help but notice the knowing smile she wore, a look that passed between Jay and me like a secret.

With a flushed face and trembling knees, I stood up, extending my hands to Jarek, who took them without hesitation, rising to his feet as well. His gaze remained locked onto my face, even with others present, and that charming smile—small yet ever-present—lingered, almost like an accessory that suited him perfectly.

“Why are you here, Orion?” Jarek asked the man, who couldn’t seem to take his eyes off me.

Orion smiled back, tilting his head slightly. “I came with the supplies you requested.” He then turned to me, raising an eyebrow. “Who is the woman with you?”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify