Fated To Three, Betrayed By All… Until She Rose novel Chapter 95

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

—

A message from the depths of despair.

Chalice.

1

“How on earth did you manage to get into an accident right outside Leilani’s house?” My mother inquired for what felt like the hundredth time today. I could only clench my jaw, suppressing the urge to respond with something sharp. What else could I do, really?

The truth was too tangled to share. I couldn’t possibly reveal that I had willingly thrown myself in front of an oncoming vehicle, all in a misguided attempt to garner sympathy. And Abby, my so-called friend, the one who had unwittingly played the role of the reckless driver? I couldn’t let that slip either.

Thinking of Abby made my blood simmer with irritation, especially as a fresh wave of pain shot through my back. I had been so clear with her.

I had instructed her plainly: “Hit me, but for the love of all that’s good, don’t hit me too hard.”

So why in the world had she sent me sprawling across the pavement?

10:25

1/10

I scrunched my nose in irritation as my mother waved her hand in front of my face, her blue eyes filled with concern. “Did Leilani do this to you?” she asked, her voice laced with worry.

Oh, how I longed to say yes, to place the blame on her, but the truth felt like a heavy stone lodged in my throat. Anger bubbled up inside me, and tears threatened to spill from my eyes. I felt like I could tear the entire world apart right then and there.

To add to my frustration, none of the triplets had shown up yet. Even Gavin seemed to have vanished into thin air.

I frowned deeply. “No, it was my fault. I wanted to visit Leilani to plead with her about letting me work at Frostclaw, but I didn’t look properly before stepping into the street.”

My mother’s expression shifted from worry to annoyance. “And your so-called sister isn’t even here after you got hurt trying to see her?” she snapped, her tone sharp.

10:25

2/10

“Oh, no, no!” I blurted out, panic rising within me at the thought of Leilani being dragged into this mess. A small, sheepish smile crept onto my face as I grasped my mother’s hands and murmured, “…she wasn’t home when I got there.”

That earned me a questioning arch of her eyebrows. “I thought you said you were crossing over to her house?”

Oh, crap.

“No, I was actually crossing away from it,” I replied hastily. “I checked and saw she wasn’t home, so I tried to leave.”

Mom’s gaze held a hint of skepticism, and I hated that my story was already starting to unravel. To divert her attention, I groaned dramatically and clutched my head. “It hurts.”

And I wasn’t entirely lying.

10:25

3/10

My head throbbed mercilessly. My entire body ached. Honestly, it felt like every single part of me was in pain. And the most absurd part of this whole situation?

I had put myself in harm’s way for absolutely nothing. Despite the sacrifice of throwing myself into danger and suffering injuries, Leilani would remain untouched, unscathed. The triplets? They didn’t seem to care in the slightest. I felt utterly isolated.

Tears streamed down my cheeks, and my mother, mistaking my tears for pain, gently stroked my hair, her voice soft and soothing as she whispered, “I’m so sorry, honey.”

“Where’s Gavin?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Mom hesitated for a moment before letting out a sigh. “He left for a business meeting with your father earlier today, but I haven’t heard back from them.” Then, her tone softened further, “You need him here, don’t you?”

I shook my head, feeling a mix of resentment and longing. “No, I don’t want to see his smug face. I don’t want to look into his eyes and wonder why he’s suddenly so indifferent toward me.”

I was tormented by the thought that his new attitude might have something to do with Leilani or perhaps some issue with his newfound mate.

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