Fated To Three, Betrayed By All… Until She Rose novel Chapter 79

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

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79 Null.

Leilani. Q

As I regained consciousness, the relentless beeping of the monitors pierced through the fog of my mind, accompanied by a throbbing headache that felt like a hammer pounding at the back of my skull. Slowly, I propped myself up on the bed, squinting at the harsh fluorescent lights above. It took a moment for my surroundings to come into focus, revealing a stark hospital room, sterile and clinical. An IV dripped a dark crimson liquid into my vein, and a small army of multivitamins stood guard on the bedside table, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the dullness around me.

Fragments of last night flickered in and out of my memory like a broken film reel. I recalled being taken hostage by Kael and Caelum, both of whom were convinced that I bore the blame for Chalice’s tragic loss. The shock still lingered in my chest, especially when I realized that my supposed savior was none other than their brother, Zevran. The worry etched on his face as he had brought me here was something I couldn’t shake off, even now.

“You’re awake?” A deep, groggy voice jolted me from my thoughts, sending my heart racing. I turned slowly, my breath hitching in my throat as I met the gaze of Zevran. His eyes were swollen, as if he hadn’t slept in days, and his hair was a wild mess, resembling a bird’s nest.

He stared at me with an intensity that felt almost suffocating, and then, in a hushed tone, he asked, “Do you feel pain anywhere?”

I thought of the tightness around my ribs, but the words stuck in my throat. Did he really care? Why was he being so kind? Was this some sort of twisted game? A flurry of questions swirled in my mind as I studied him, waiting for the moment when his façade would crumble, revealing the monster beneath. But it never came.

Instead, he tilted his head, a frown tugging at his brow. “Leilani, are you okay?”

He smacked his lips, a hint of embarrassment creeping into his voice as he added, “Sorry, that’s a really stupid question. You shouldn’t be okay. But please, tell me, what’s wrong?”

I remained silent, unable to trust the sincerity in his words. Perhaps it was evident in my eyes, for he sighed, his head drooping as he murmured, “I’m sorry for what happened between you and my brothers.”

Finally, the truth was out in the open!

I narrowed my gaze, scrutinizing him for any signs of deceit, any minuscule twitch that would betray his intentions. But there was nothing.

“I didn’t know they would act like that… I wasn’t aware they would go to such lengths just to make a point. I can’t fathom what you went through or how you felt, but I’m truly sorry. I’m apologizing on behalf of my brothers and myself… we’re genuinely sorry.”

His words rang with a certain sincerity, yet I knew that agreeing would mean lying to him. I shook my head, my voice barely a whisper. “Did you sleep here?”

His surprise was palpable, his eyes widening as if I had struck him. But then, a small smile crept onto his face, and he nodded slowly. “Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to be here with you. I needed to ensure you were safe. I know you might not believe that, but it’s true. After witnessing what my brothers did to you, I was furious and filled with guilt… I couldn’t just leave you alone.”

At the mention of his brothers, a wave of disgust washed over me. My chest tightened as I recalled how they had treated me like I was nothing, how they had drained me of my strength without a shred of remorse. And Caelum—oh, that bastard—had kicked me hard in the ribs, as if he were trying to snuff out my life. It was a miracle I didn’t have a broken rib.

“I didn’t kill anyone,” I replied softly after a beat of silence. “I never killed anyone. Chalice was never pregnant… and I didn’t push her.”

As those words left my lips, I watched as Zevran’s expression hardened. He shook his head, frustration evident, and began to pace around the room. When he finally stopped, disappointment etched in his features, he spat, “You know, I thought you would feel remorse. I thought you weren’t as terrible as everyone claims. But you are. You’re just as bad as Kael and Caelum. At least they feel guilt for hurting you; I can’t say the same for you.”

I felt my cheeks flush with indignation. “Really?”

“Yes, really. And you know what? I’m leaving. I’m done trying to understand you. You can do whatever you want from now on. I don’t care!”

His words shouldn’t have affected me, but they did. They cut deeper than I wanted to admit. I blinked away the tears that threatened to spill and inhaled through the ache in my chest, locking eyes with him defiantly. “Then go.”

Zevran didn’t argue or protest. He turned his back to me, ready to walk away. But before he could reach the door, I called out his name, halting him in his tracks.

“What?” he snapped, irritation lacing his tone.

“Zevran Stormborn, I, Leilani Sinclair, reject you as my mate,” I whispered, the weight of my declaration hanging heavily in the air.

His eyes widened in shock, and I could see the muscles in his jaw clench tightly. But apart from that, he maintained a stoic demeanor, shrugging dismissively.

“Well, I don’t. And my brothers aren’t here. So it’s null.”