Fated To Three, Betrayed By All… Until She Rose novel Chapter 122

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

**122**

My dearest companions.

Leilani.

This morning, I awoke to a relentless fever coursing through my body. Every inch of me throbbed with an intensity that was far from the usual aftermath of a night spent with friends. No, this was different—raw, brutal, and it sent shivers racing down my spine, rattling my bones with such ferocity that I stumbled more than once as I attempted to rise from my bed.

But amidst the discomfort, something peculiar struck me.

In addition to my feverish state, an inexplicable surge of strength coursed through my veins. It first hit me when I reached for the stool beside my bed, searching for my shawl. To my astonishment, it felt as light as a feather in my grasp.

Curiosity piqued, I began experimenting. I reached for heavier items, pushing my limits further with each attempt until, in a moment of sheer madness, I found myself lifting the refrigerator in my kitchen. The thrill of power surged through me until the door creaked ominously, and the contents within tumbled out, scattering across the floor in a chaotic mess.

I gasped audibly, my eyes widening in disbelief. My heart raced, pounding in my chest as clarity struck me like a bolt of lightning. This wasn’t just unusual—it was downright extraordinary.

I was not normal.

My legs quaked as I dashed upstairs to my room, urgency propelling me forward. Once inside, I grabbed my phone, my hands trembling as I typed out a frantic message to the only two people I trusted completely—no, scratch that—my best friends, Maya and Jarek.

Within thirty minutes, they arrived at my doorstep, each bearing an assortment of treats: fruits, snacks, chocolates—anything that could possibly lift the spirits of a sick and gloomy girl.

I had only told them I was feeling down and unwell.

The truth was, I couldn’t bring myself to confess the bizarre strength I’d experienced, a strength that felt so potent I could have effortlessly lifted my car if I’d had the right motivation.

Moreover, after the refrigerator incident, I felt an unexpected wave of weakness wash over me, rendering me unable to rectify the chaos I’d unleashed in my kitchen.

“Jesus, Leilani!” Maya exclaimed, her voice a mixture of shock and concern, breaking through the haze of my thoughts. I glanced up, momentarily avoiding Jarek’s scrutinizing gaze, my focus landing squarely on Maya.

“What is it?” I asked, genuinely puzzled.

She rolled her eyes dramatically, exhaling in disbelief. “What kind of earthquake happened in your kitchen?!”

At her words, I froze. My heart raced uncontrollably, and my tongue felt glued to the roof of my mouth, rendering me speechless.

I couldn’t muster the courage to tell her the truth. And in that moment of panic, I could not fabricate a lie either, so I simply shrugged.

“Don’t give me that!” she snapped, her frustration palpable, causing Jarek to narrow his eyes as he shot her a warning glare. “There’s a disaster in your kitchen, and you can’t just brush it off!”

“Goddess, don’t yell at her!” Jarek interjected, his voice low and commanding, making Maya flinch slightly, fear flickering in her eyes.

His protective response sent a warm flutter through my heart, but it also rattled me. In a desperate attempt to ease the tension, I lowered my voice, took his hands in mine, and said, “Please don’t growl at Maya…”

His gaze shifted from my face to where Maya had retreated back into the kitchen. He sighed, his expression softening. “I didn’t mean to,” he murmured, “I just reacted when I saw you uncomfortable with her questions.”

“She’s just like that with me,” I replied gently, attempting to lighten the mood. “I’m the same way with her. It’s what makes us friends. Besides, she’s going through a rough time herself.”

At my words, his expression softened further, and he nodded, a gentle smile gracing his lips as he affectionately patted my hair. Then, with a more serious demeanor, he asked, “What’s going on in the kitchen?”

Heat crept into my cheeks—not from embarrassment, but from sheer mortification. My gaze dropped, and I muttered, “I accidentally knocked over my refrigerator.”

His eyebrows shot up, incredulity etched across his features. “Huh?”

“Yes, you heard me correctly. I accidentally knocked over my refrigerator. It was a total accident.”

For a fleeting moment, Jarek looked utterly bewildered, his eyes boring into mine as if trying to decipher whether I was jesting. But, true to his nature, he didn’t press the issue further.

Instead, he chuckled softly and said, “Okay.”

I blinked, taken aback by his acceptance.

“I should go help Maya clean up then… and, you know, apologize for being so protective,” he added, giving my head one last gentle pat before slipping into the kitchen.

The request caught me off guard, and I frowned. “Why?”

“Kael is in a bad state. He hasn’t woken up yet. We don’t know what’s happening, but he keeps calling your name in his sleep… or coma… or whatever it is,” his voice trailed off, and I could hear the strain in his tone, hinting at the emotional turmoil he was battling.

My heart ached at his words, and I cursed the mate bond that compelled me to feel this way—this overwhelming pity for men who had never shown me compassion when I needed it most.

I was at a loss for words, and the thought of going to the hospital filled me with dread. I remained silent, allowing him to ramble on about his regrets and reassurances that he wouldn’t bother me again after this one time.

Cold sweat began to bead on my skin as I sighed, feeling the weight of my own discomfort. “I don’t know, Zevran. I’m not feeling too well myself.”

“Leilani, please, I beg you!” he pleaded, likely convinced I was lying about my health. “I promise I won’t disturb you again. You just need to talk to him. He might not respond, but I’m sure he’ll know it’s you.”

A heavy silence enveloped us, thick with unspoken questions and unyielding tension. I tried to breathe through my nose, but it felt like my lungs were filled with lead, making it hard to exhale.

“Please…” his voice broke through the silence, and I finally made a decision.

Just this once, I told myself.

Never again.

With a resigned sigh that I hoped he could hear, I replied softly, “Okay, I’ll come today.” Before he could respond, I dropped the phone and buried my face in my hands, overwhelmed by the weight of my choice.

“I’ll go with you,” a voice suddenly chimed in beside me.

I lifted my head to find Jarek’s gaze locked onto mine, and the intensity in his eyes made my heart flutter.

His fingers brushed against my cheek, igniting a warmth within me as he spoke, “I’ll come with you, okay?”

I nodded, but before I could respond, another voice chimed in cheerfully, “And me too!” It was Maya, and I didn’t need to look to confirm it.

A smile crept onto my lips, grateful for their unwavering support.