Fated To Three Betrayed By All Until She Rose (Leilani) by Ahvahh novel Chapter 114

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

The name echoed in my mind: Darius.

Leilani.

I had told myself repeatedly before arriving at this place that I should not be here. This wasn’t where I belonged. I loathed these men with every fiber of my being.

Yet, despite my internal protests, the excuses failed to anchor me. They did not stop me from slipping into my car, nor did they deter me from driving through the familiar streets to the hospital. And certainly, they did nothing to prevent me from stepping into Kael’s hospital room, fully aware that I would be confronted by the very people I despised.

As I crossed the threshold into the oddly warm, dimly lit room, my heart began to race uncontrollably. The moment I entered, I was met with the piercing gazes of three familiar faces, and I nearly stumbled, caught off guard by the intensity of their stares.

Silence enveloped us, thick and suffocating. No one uttered a word, nor did I feel inclined to break that silence. They were not the reason I had come; my focus was solely on the figure lying on the bed.

Kael lay there, his body a canvas of tubes and wires, an oxygen mask obscuring the lower half of his face. Blood-stained gauzes wrapped around his head and leg, a stark reminder of the fragility of life. His skin appeared ghostly pale, and when I reached out to touch his hand, it felt unnaturally cold against my fingers.

The sight of him in such a vulnerable state twisted something deep within me. A wave of sorrow crashed over my heart, and I fought desperately against the tears that threatened to spill. I had to maintain my composure, especially in front of those I wished to avoid, but my resolve crumbled, and tears began to cascade down my cheeks.

Goddess, it was unbearable to see him like this, especially after having seen him just yesterday. I recalled how I had come to check on him with Zevran, only to leave the room, unable to endure the sight any longer.

As I turned away, my heart pounded in my chest, and my knees felt weak beneath me. The tears continued to flow, a relentless stream that I could not contain.

I was almost to my car when an all-too-familiar scent wafted through the air. Chalice. I recognized it instantly but refused to turn around, focusing instead on unlocking my car door.

“Leilani!” she called out, her voice piercing through the haze of my thoughts. I rolled my eyes, determined to ignore her.

Then, I felt a sharp tap on my shoulder. When I turned, irritation washed over me as I found Chalice standing there, her high heels elevating her stature, her expression a mixture of annoyance and disdain.

“I’ve been calling your name!” she seethed, her voice dripping with indignation.

“And I heard you,” I replied, my tone icy as I met her gaze. “But I refuse to engage in a dull conversation that would only serve to lower my IQ.”

Her eyes flared with anger, but she quickly masked it with a tight-lipped smile, lowering her voice to a menacing growl. “What are you doing here?”

“Are you blind?” I shot back, feigning misunderstanding. “Can’t you see what I’m doing? I’m attempting to get into my car!”

She scoffed, tilting her head back as she tossed her thick auburn hair over her shoulder. Stepping closer, our bodies nearly touching, she whispered, “Why did you come here?”

“I don’t see why I can’t visit a public space anymore,” I replied, feigning innocence.

“You know what I mean, Leilani! Stop playing dumb. You came here—a place where you weren’t invited—to see them! Have you suddenly forgotten that they belong to me now?!”

Her jealousy was palpable, and it bored me. I cast her a disdainful glance, letting my eyes linger over her with a hint of disgust. Clucking my tongue, I replied, “Oh, I’m well aware that the triplets belong to you… your puppets, as you like to put it. But I had no idea you owned this hospital too! Congratulations!”

In that moment, all I could see was red, and the urge to inflict pain on her was overwhelming. I marched toward her, intent on dragging her up and slamming her face-first against my car, but suddenly, I tripped and fell.

When I looked up, I was shocked to see Zevran standing there, his eyes wide with concern.

I couldn’t tell if he had witnessed my retaliation or if he had seen the fury in my eyes as I approached Chalice.

My heart raced at the thought, and I let out a sigh of relief as he glanced between us, growling, “What the hell are you two doing?”

In that instant, I knew…

I immediately realized he hadn’t seen me strike back, and that was why he was scolding both of us instead of just me.

Chalice attempted to play her usual game of manipulation, but today, I was not in the mood to indulge her. I slapped her hard, ensuring she would feel it, and then I climbed into my car, eager to escape the chaos.

The drive home was a blur, fueled by rage, and when I finally parked and stormed out of the car, I froze mid-step. There, on my porch, was a fresh bouquet of roses.

But today, the note attached bore a name.

Darius.