Fated To Three, Betrayed By All… Until She Rose novel Chapter 56

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

56 No sense.

Leilani.

As Monday rolled around, I walked back into the office, putting on a brave face as if the tumultuous events of the weekend had never happened. I was determined to act as though I hadn’t been forced to confront my insipid friends, who, despite everything, refused to let me go. I pretended that I hadn’t endured the torment of watching them with another woman, just hours after our own chaotic weekend.

Ha!

What a farce!

2

The truth was, I was still simmering from the weekend’s events. The anger I felt towards those infuriating triplets—my supposed mates—was still fresh. My skin bore the marks of my desperation, raw and blistered from my own frantic scratching, as I battled the relentless ache coursing through my body, the pain spreading through my veins like wildfire.

09:50

1/13

In a bid to channel my frustration, I had spent all of Sunday meticulously refining the programming language prototype I had been procrastinating on for far too long. This was no ordinary software; it had all the features of their newly acquired program, ‘TRAGUS,’ but with enhancements that would leave it in the dust.

Wayyy more.

Since I couldn’t confront them physically or legally, perhaps I could outsmart them financially. I envisioned stealing their investors, many of whom had already expressed interest in partnering with Frostclaw. I would unleash a storm in the market, one that mirrored the tempest I had just created.

With renewed energy, I bounced through the office halls, and if I may say so, my smile was as radiant as the harsh fluorescent lights above me.

As soon as I stepped into the elevator, I bumped into Jarek. He froze for a heartbeat, his eyes scanning my frame with a cautious curiosity. “You came?” he asked, his tone a mix of surprise and something softer.

“Of course, I would!” I replied, trying to keep my tone light and breezy.

Between Jarek and me, there were countless unspoken questions, feelings that hung in the air like an unresolved melody. But since he seemed unwilling to address it, I decided to keep my lips sealed as well. “I created something,” I announced, hoping to shift the focus away from our complicated dynamic.

At that, I noticed Jarek’s interest piqued; his expression softened, a hint of admiration flickering in his eyes before he coughed and adjusted his suit.

“You always create groundbreaking stuff, Leilani. What did you do this time?”

His compliment washed over me like a warm wave, igniting a blush on my cheeks. I ducked my head, suddenly shy and unable to meet his gaze. “Let’s go to your office first.”

Moments later, we exited the elevator and made our way to his office. As we passed Yvette’s desk, she greeted us with a bright smile and a cheeky wink directed at me, a rosy blush creeping onto her cheeks.

“Welcome, Ms. Sinclair, welcome Alpha Frostclaw.”

Once we were out of earshot, I turned to Jarek, lowering my voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “I think she thinks we’re a couple.”

“Everyone thinks we’re a couple,” he replied, unflinching, and for a split second, I was taken aback.

My eyes widened in disbelief as I studied his stoic expression. “And you’re not bothered by it?”

“Why should I be?”

Now, I was the one feeling bothered. “Because, first off, we’re not a couple!” I retorted, my voice rising slightly.

“I know. But if people think I’m with an amazing woman like you, then so be it. I’m not going to go around trying to debunk the rumors when I should be proud of it.”

That left me momentarily speechless.

I blinked back tears, confusion swirling in my heart as I looked up at him. My chest felt heavy, and suddenly, the lipstick I had meticulously applied earlier felt parched against my lips. I instinctively licked them, and I caught Jarek’s gaze following my movement.

1

While the way he looked at me stirred a mix of unease and thrill, it pained me to realize that this was all we could ever be—a mere rumor, a fleeting office gossip.

I shook my head, dismissing the thought, and turned on my iPad. “If you say so,” I muttered, then began to explain everything about my newly developed TRAGUS 2.0, which I had aptly named CUSP.

09:50

5/13

Jay listened intently as I detailed my project, but soon he leaned back, a satisfied grin spreading across his face, his eyes glimmering with enthusiasm and something deeper—perhaps a mix of both hunger and admiration.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, irritation creeping into my voice.

Chalice glanced around as if she didn’t realize I was the one she was addressing, then turned back to me, confusion flickering across her face. “Me?”

“Yes, you,” I replied, sidestepping her as I continued my trek toward my car. “It’s late. If you were waiting for Alpha Frostclaw, I must inform you that he’s been gone for a while.”

“And who told you I was here to see that scum you have wrapped around your fucking finger?!” she snarled, her voice dripping with venom, halting me in my tracks.

I turned to face her, raising an eyebrow at her disheveled appearance, save for the luxurious Louis Vuitton fur coat enveloping her.

“You made him refuse to give me that job!” she seethed, and I watched her in silence, choosing not to respond. “I don’t know what you told him, but one minute he was ready to hire me, and the next, he’s saying I’m not fit for the role! Me, not fit?!”

“Yes, you aren’t fit,” I replied coolly, turning to leave, only to stumble as she shoved me from behind.

“I’m talking to you! Don’t walk out on me!” she screamed.

There was something in her maniacal gaze that made me frown. I crossed my arms over my chest, my tone steady as I said, “I have nothing to say to you.”

“But I do, Leilani,” she spat, her voice low and menacing. “I’ll ruin you.” She paused for effect. “I know you’ve been cozying up to Kael, Zevran, and Caelum lately, but I’ll make sure you’re ruined before you can get to them. Trust me!”

“They’re all yours!” I rolled my eyes, dismissing her threats. “I never needed them. Now, say something else.”

At that, she flashed a smile so dark it sent chills racing down my spine. “I’ll come for Frostclaw. And I’ll get him… I’ll also come for your job, and I will get it.”

“Dream on.”

“Yeah, call me a dreamer. Or maybe… just maybe it’s the pregnancy hormones talking.”

It took a moment for her words to register in my mind, and when they did, I shot my gaze back to her, eyes wide with disbelief. “Y-you’re pregnant?”

She smiled, a predatory glint in her eyes. “Yes, and that’s my ticket to everything you own.”

None of what she said made any sense, but I knew Chalice well enough to recognize the danger in her words. I needed to get out of there—fast.

And that’s exactly what I did.