Fated To Three, Betrayed By All… Until She Rose novel Chapter 104

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

**The Difference in Our Dreams**

**Leilani**

I hate to admit it, but I found myself avoiding the restaurant entirely. The thought of returning for Maya felt increasingly distant, and for reasons I couldn’t quite articulate, my resolve to distance myself from Gavin grew stronger with each passing hour.

About forty-five minutes after my abrupt departure, I received a text from Maya. She mentioned she was taking an Uber home, but a nagging doubt crept in. Did I really believe her? I didn’t press the issue; instead, I retreated to the comfort of my home and buried myself in work, hoping to drown out the chaos swirling in my mind.

Two hours into my work, an unfamiliar number flashed on my phone screen. My heart raced as I hesitated, my finger hovering over the answer button. I took a deep breath, steeling myself, and finally pressed it to my ear, bracing for whatever awaited me.

“Leilani?” The voice on the other end was soft yet familiar, almost like a whisper that sent a shiver down my spine. Instinctively, I froze, my grip on the phone tightening, and my heart began to thump wildly in my chest.

“Agnes, I told you not to call me unless it was something crucial—” I began, my voice steady despite the flutter of nerves.

“But I found something crucial!” she interjected, her tone sharp and urgent, instantly piquing my interest. “The cameras around your father’s house haven’t been updated or repaired in years. They’ve probably never even been checked!”

Her revelation sent a jolt of adrenaline through me. I nearly dropped the phone, excitement bubbling up inside me. After a moment of collecting my thoughts, I managed to rasp, “Are you certain?”

“Absolutely! I asked Bill,” she replied with a hint of sass. “He’s the head security guard… and let’s not dive into how I managed to get him to spill the beans. You don’t need to know about our little escapades.”

“Ewww!” I exclaimed, scrunching my nose in disgust. “TMI!”

“I’m so sorry!” she laughed, a hint of embarrassment in her voice. “I just wanted to assure you I wasn’t snooping in the wrong places. I’ve been discreet about everything.”

Rolling my eyes at her antics, I reminded myself she couldn’t see my expression. “Thank you… and please, keep it that way.”

“Sure thing,” she replied, her voice lightening. “Now, what do you need me to do?”

I took a moment to compose myself, speaking softly as if trying to coax a child to sleep. “How close are you to Bill?”

“We’re pretty close,” she replied cheekily. “We’ve seen each other’s… nakedness.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks. “Besides that, how close are you two?”

“Close enough that I know he has mommy issues and enjoys it when I tickle him,” she teased, laughter evident in her voice.

My stomach churned at the mental image, and I grimaced, trying to shake off the discomfort. “I need something more substantial, Agnes. If you ask him for a favor, will he help?”

“Oh, he’ll definitely help! He’s stood up for me against Ms. Chalice more times than I can count,” she said, pride evident in her tone.

A smile crept onto my lips, my excitement bubbling over. “Then ask him for access to the hard drive. And Agnes?”

I frowned slightly, shaking off the thought. “I’m here to see Mr. Louis Hawthorne. Could you please tell me his room number?”

“Is Mr. Hawthorne expecting you?” she inquired, her brow furrowing slightly. For a fleeting moment, my mind wandered to the sexy pink lingerie I wore beneath my layers of clothing.

I nodded, trying to keep my composure. “Yes, we have an appointment.”

Her smile returned as she began clicking away on her computer. She called his room to confirm my visit, and I could feel my heart racing as I waited.

“What’s your name, ma’am?” she asked, turning back to me.

“Chalice Blackthorne,” I replied, my tone colder than I intended.

She repeated my name into the speaker, and after a brief pause, she dropped the phone back onto the receiver and said, “Room 1205.”

I didn’t return her smile, merely nodding in acknowledgment before turning to head towards the elevator. As I walked away, I couldn’t shake the feeling of someone’s gaze boring into my back. I glanced around the lobby quickly, but found no one watching, so I continued into the elevator.

Once inside, I applied a fresh coat of lipstick, my hands trembling slightly as I pressed the button for the twelfth floor. My heart raced with anticipation, uncertainty swirling in my mind. I couldn’t fathom why Louis had requested this meeting.

While I had a vague idea that he desired my body, my mind raced with questions about what else he wanted to discuss.

I silently prayed to the moon goddess that he wasn’t here to claim me as his mate. God help me, I’d rather face any challenge than acknowledge that bond, especially now that I was so close to achieving my dreams.