Healing Slowly But Surely By R. Joseph 109

Healing Slowly But Surely By R. Joseph 109 Summary

In “Healing Slowly But Surely” by R. Joseph, the story revolves around Leilani, who is confronted by Kael, a man with whom she shares a tumultuous past. The chapter opens with Leilani grappling with the emotional turmoil caused by Kael’s declaration of wanting her. This revelation ignites a fierce internal conflict within her, mixing anger and desire. Despite her instinct to push him away, there is an undeniable connection that leaves her feeling vulnerable and confused.

As their conversation unfolds, Kael expresses his conflicting feelings about Leilani and his engagement to her sister. His admission that he still has strong feelings for her, despite their troubled history, creates a tense atmosphere. Leilani’s resistance is palpable; she struggles to reconcile her emotions with the reality of their situation. Kael’s desperation and frustration only intensify the emotional stakes, leading to a heated exchange where both characters confront their past grievances.

The tension reaches a boiling point when Kael unexpectedly kisses Leilani, igniting a passionate yet chaotic moment between them. Leilani’s initial instinct is to resist, but the intensity of the kiss overwhelms her. However, just as abruptly as the kiss begins, Kael collapses, leaving Leilani in a state of shock and confusion. The sudden shift from passion to concern highlights the complexity of their relationship and the unresolved feelings that linger between them.

Ultimately, the chapter captures the raw emotions of love, anger, and vulnerability, as both characters navigate their feelings for each other amidst a backdrop of past hurts and current complications. Leilani’s realization that Kael has fallen asleep after their kiss adds a layer of absurdity to the moment, emphasizing the chaotic nature of their connection and the slow process of healing that lies ahead.

Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below

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

—

Stupid as hell.

—

Stupid as hell.

Leilani.

“Because I want you…”

Those four words hit me like a dagger, sharp and unforgiving. If I thought I had felt pain before, it was nothing compared to the wildfire of anguish now consuming my chest.

My eyes burned, stinging with unshed tears, but now they were no longer tears of sadness; they were filled with fury.

I spat out, “Kael… leave.” My voice emerged as a rough whisper, a chilling sound that echoed in the air between us. It felt detached, as if I were speaking from a great distance, and the raspiness of my throat made it sound like I was scraping against rough sandpaper.

Kael’s gaze met mine, and in that moment, the expression in his eyes took my breath away. It was a look that made my knees feel weak and my heart feel like it was being torn apart. He looked as if he were pleading with me, as if a thousand words were trapped behind his lips, yearning to be spoken but held back by some invisible force. I quickly averted my gaze, desperate to stop the traitorous flutter in my chest, but that was a futile endeavor.

When he dropped his head, letting out a heavy sigh, I felt an overwhelming urge to pull him into my arms, to comfort him for reasons I couldn’t quite understand. But I quickly suppressed that thought and hissed, “You should go.”

“I don’t want to,” he retorted, his tone firm yet laced with an undercurrent of desperation. I noticed how his eyes flicked from my car to my face, as if weighing his options. He drawled, “I really don’t want to.”

“Why?” I asked, genuinely curious.

“Because I want to talk to you.” His voice edged with frustration, he continued, “I want to understand how I feel about you. I need to know why I feel this way.”

His words began to slur together, the emotion in his voice making it hard to decipher. I rolled my eyes, brushing past him to unlock my door, turning to face him when I sensed him trailing behind me.

“What?” I snapped, irritation bubbling to the surface. “Who said you could come in?”

“But I’m cold,” he argued, his voice softening, “…and I don’t feel well. But I want to talk to you.”

His attitude was starting to push my buttons, or maybe it was just my own emotions spiraling out of control.

My eyebrows shot up in disbelief as I shot him a glare. “You’ve talked to me.”

“Please…”

“No, Kael.”

“Please, I beg you,” he whispered, desperation coating his words.

My hand hovered over the doorknob for a moment as I weighed the implications of what he was asking. Just then, a gust of wind blew through, causing him to shiver as he wrapped his arms around himself. That sight tugged at my heartstrings, igniting a flicker of pity within me.

“Okay,” I finally relented, stepping into the house and leaving the door wide open.

Kael followed closely behind, his eyes widening with innocent curiosity as he took in the layout of my home. After a brief silence, he turned to me and smiled, whispering, “Your house is lovely.”

I didn’t respond; I let the compliment drift past me, unacknowledged.

Crossing my arms tightly over my chest, I decided it was time to address the elephant in the room. “What do you want from me?”

At that, his expression shifted, and he dropped his head. His voice dropped to a lower register as he confessed, “I don’t know how I feel, Leilani. I say I hate you. I say I can never forgive you for everything you did to my brothers and me… I thought I was in love with Chalice, but now… now, I can’t imagine a world without you in it…”

Hearing that left me reeling; I didn’t know how to process what he had just said. The words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating.

“Kael…”

“…I want you, despite your craziness, Leilani, despite how twisted you are; and you can call me a hypocrite, but I would do anything to keep you close.”

I felt as if the air had been knocked out of my lungs, a tight grip closing around my heart—not in a comforting way, but in a way that made me feel trapped.

Tears burned at the corners of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. Not in front of him. My chest felt like it was caving in, and my knees trembled beneath me. But despite the turmoil within, I managed to hold his gaze and drawled, “You’re engaged to my sister.”

“I know,” he murmured, almost too quickly.

“And that’s exactly why you shouldn’t be here. You shouldn’t be saying these things to me. You don’t deserve to share the same space as me, especially after everything.”

“I know, Leilani! Do you think I’m unaware of that?!” His voice rose suddenly, shocking me into silence. “But let’s be real; you hurt me too, and I hate you for it. You treated me like garbage, so stop acting like I was the only one at fault.”

Oh great! Stupid Kael had returned! Just what I needed!

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He scoffed, the sound dripping with disdain. “Of course you wouldn’t. You’ll just pretend. But unlike you, I don’t pretend. I’ve accepted that I was a jerk to you in the past. Not that you didn’t deserve it, but still.”

“Kael, get out!”

“Goddess!” He fell to his knees, exasperation evident in his voice. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for my words to come out like that, but you need to understand me! You need to understand what I’m asking of you. Let me understand you! Help me sabotage my marriage with Chalice!”

I froze, utterly dumbfounded.

I couldn’t believe the audacity of his words. The absurdity of what he was suggesting left me speechless.

If he had said something this ridiculous four years ago, perhaps the naïve girl I was back then would have believed him. Maybe I would have listened and helped. But that girl no longer existed.

A laugh escaped me, unbidden and inappropriate, but I couldn’t help myself.

I laughed so hard that Kael looked at me with bewilderment, confusion etched across his features. “What’s so funny?” he asked, bewildered.

“You.” I replied, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Me?”

“Yes, you,” I reiterated, chuckling as a frown creased his brows. “Is this some kind of joke? Are my feelings a source of entertainment for you?”

“No, Leilani… no.”

“So then what the hell is this nonsense you’re spouting?”

“I’m just saying…” he trailed off, his voice faltering, “…I’m just…” but then he abruptly stopped, clamping his mouth shut.

To my utter shock, he suddenly stood up, walked over to me, and cupped my face with both of his hands. And then…

He slammed his lips against mine.

Heat surged through me, flames igniting on my lips as his mouth descended upon mine, engulfing me in a blaze of passion. But I didn’t yield. I fought against him, thrashing wildly, slapping at his chest, biting at his lips, but Kael was relentless.

His mouth consumed mine, a fierce kiss that felt punishing, his tongue invading my mouth despite my attempts to resist.

At one point, I bit him so hard that the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth, but that only seemed to fuel his desire.

With a ferocity that was both maddening and intoxicating, his hands tangled in my hair, tilting my head back as he claimed my mouth over and over in a kiss that was both possessive and wicked.

Then, just as suddenly as it began, he pulled away. His warm lips brushed against my cheeks, and in the next moment, he collapsed to the floor with a resounding thud.

My eyes widened in horror, panic surging through my veins.

“Kael?” I screamed, my heart racing, “Kael, what the hell? Open your eyes!” I yelled, but no matter how much I shouted or how hard I shook him, he lay still, unresponsive.

He looked… lifeless.

I froze, my heart pounding violently in my chest, and even in the cold air, beads of sweat broke out on my skin. Trembling, I placed my index finger under his nose to check for breath. A sigh of relief escaped my lips when I felt the warmth of his breath against my skin.

And then it hit me…

This idiot had just fallen asleep right after kissing me.

He had fallen asleep on me.

And now, as if to mock me further, his soft snores filled the room, a ridiculous soundtrack to the chaos of emotions swirling within me.

—

Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!

—

Ahvahh_
Creator’s Thoughts

Conclusion

In the aftermath of their tumultuous exchange, Leilani found herself grappling with a whirlwind of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her. Kael’s unexpected kiss had ignited a fire within her, one that clashed violently with the walls she had built around her heart. As she stared at his sleeping form, the absurdity of the situation washed over her like a wave, leaving her both bewildered and strangely comforted. The chaos of their past, the hurt and the anger, seemed to fade into the background, replaced by a flicker of hope that perhaps healing was not only possible but already in motion. It was a realization that their connection, fraught with complications, might still hold the potential for something beautiful.

With Kael’s soft snores punctuating the silence of the room, Leilani felt a shift within herself. The weight of resentment began to lift, replaced by the tender possibility of understanding and forgiveness. She knew their journey would not be easy; the scars of their shared history ran deep. Yet, as she watched him sleep, a sense of determination blossomed within her. Healing would be slow, surely, but it was a path she was willing to explore, one step at a time. In that moment, she understood that love, in all its messy complexity, could be a catalyst for growth, and perhaps, just perhaps, it could lead them both toward a brighter future.

What to Expect in Next Chapter?

In the upcoming chapter, the emotional whirlwind between Leilani and Kael will reach new heights as they navigate the aftermath of that explosive kiss. With Kael unconscious on the floor, Leilani is left grappling with a mix of confusion and frustration, her heart racing with both anger and undeniable attraction. Will she confront her feelings for him, or will she push him away once more, fearing the consequences of their tangled past? As Leilani battles her inner turmoil, the stakes will rise, and the tension between them will become palpable, forcing her to confront the reality of their connection.

Moreover, the chapter promises to delve deeper into Kael’s psyche as he awakens and faces the repercussions of his impulsive actions. Will he be able to articulate his feelings now that the moment has passed, or will the weight of his engagement to Chalice continue to loom over them like a dark cloud? Expect revelations, conflicts, and perhaps even unexpected alliances as Leilani and Kael navigate the murky waters of love, betrayal, and healing. The choices they make will not only impact their futures but also the lives of those around them, setting the stage for a gripping continuation of their tumultuous journey.

Chosen by None, Feared by All Chapter 109

Healing Slowly But Surely By R. Joseph 109