Healing Slowly But Surely By R. Joseph 115

Healing Slowly But Surely By R. Joseph 115 Summary

In “Healing Slowly But Surely” by R. Joseph, Jarek experiences a tumultuous emotional struggle as he awaits news from Leilani after her hospital visit. His anticipation is abruptly interrupted by a call from Keisha, who reveals her improved health but seeks to reconnect with him. Jarek’s disdain for Keisha is palpable, as he grapples with conflicting feelings of anger and pity, ultimately deciding against his better judgment to visit her in the hospital.

Upon arriving, Jarek is met with an unexpected embrace from Keisha, which he recoils from in disgust. Her attempts to rekindle their relationship only deepen his irritation, as she expresses her desire to live with him while she recovers. Jarek firmly rejects her request, revealing the depth of his unresolved feelings and the pain caused by her past actions, particularly her betrayal with Gerald. Keisha’s tears and pleas for forgiveness only serve to intensify Jarek’s anger, as he realizes he has moved beyond love or pity for her.

As Keisha continues to apologize for her past mistakes, Jarek confronts her about the lasting impact of her choices, particularly the devastation caused by her actions on their family. This confrontation leads to a moment of violent emotion, where Jarek’s fury boils over, reflecting the deep wounds inflicted by their broken bond. Ultimately, Jarek’s realization that he cannot forgive her, especially in light of the trauma surrounding Grace’s loss, solidifies his resolve to distance himself from Keisha and protect his connection with Leilani. The chapter closes with Jarek recognizing the importance of healing, not just for himself, but for those he cares about, as he navigates the complexities of love, betrayal, and the scars of the past.

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

Take me back.

Jarek.

As I sat in my office, the silence wrapping around me like a heavy blanket, I found myself waiting with a mix of anticipation and dread for Leilani to return from her hospital visit. My mind wandered, contemplating what she might have learned, whether there was good news or more challenges ahead. Just as I began to lose myself in thought, my phone rang, shattering the stillness.

I lifted the device to my ear, half-hoping it was Leilani, ready to share her insights, and half-expecting a call from my Beta, Orion, relaying some urgent pack matters. However, the voice that greeted me was far from either of them. It was Keisha. Her tone was surprisingly upbeat as she announced, “My health is better now.”

A frown creased my brow as I stared at the screen, as if it were some vile creature. My voice came out rough, a rasp that barely masked my disdain. “And what has that got to do with me?”

A moment of uncomfortable silence stretched between us, heavy with unspoken words, before her sigh reached my ears. “I wish to see you, Jarek. It’s important.” And just like that, she ended the call, leaving me with a cacophony of conflicting emotions.

Her words echoed in my mind, a haunting refrain that stirred something deep within me. I wanted to loathe her, to bury that part of me that still cared, but as I replayed her voice over and over, I realized that I didn’t just hate her. I despised her… and yet, I felt a strange twinge of pity for her. It was a confusing mix, and one I couldn’t quite untangle.

Rationally, I knew I shouldn’t go to see her. She didn’t deserve my time or attention. But against my better judgment, my body moved on its own accord. I found myself rising from my chair, slipping into my car, and driving toward the hospital, each passing moment filled with a growing sense of dread.

As I drove, I whispered a silent prayer to the moon goddess, hoping against hope that today she would possess enough clarity to reject our mate bond. But as soon as I stepped into her hospital ward, I realized my wish had gone unanswered.

She embraced me.

Like a shadow that had crept up on me, she threw herself into my arms, and I recoiled, disgust churning in my stomach. My face contorted as I pulled back, keeping her at arm’s length, my eyes scanning her appearance. She wore clothes that suited her better, and there was a faint glow on her face that I found infuriating. “What was that for?” I spat, my irritation bubbling to the surface.

Her head dipped, a coyness in her demeanor as she whispered, “I missed you, and that’s what it was for.”

Her words, dripping with a sincerity I found revolting, made my stomach churn. I could almost taste the bile rising in my throat.

I turned my gaze away from her, taking in the state of the room. It was clear she had packed up, ready to leave the confines of the hospital. But knowing her, I felt a sense of impending doom wash over me; I was all too aware that this meant she would soon be back in my life, attempting to worm her way into my existence once again, and the thought made me uneasy.

“You’re set to leave?” I drawled, my tone flat.

She nodded eagerly, her lashes fluttering as she gazed up at me, her eyes sparkling with a hope I found irritating. “Yes, but I don’t have anywhere to go… that’s why I wanted to see you.”

“And?”

“And I wanted to know if you could let me live with you for a while… at least until I’m back on my feet. I also wanted to—”

“No.” The word burst from my lips before she could finish, cutting through the air like a knife.

Her eyes widened in disbelief, and I could see the shock wash over her as she searched my face for any sign of mercy.

I couldn’t blame her for being taken aback; there was once a time when uttering the word ‘no’ felt like a sin against the goddess.

I gritted my teeth, feeling her hand drape over my crossed arms, her voice trembling as she asked, “You still haven’t forgiven me?”

“I never gave the impression that I would ever forgive you, Keisha.” My tone was icy, and I ignored the way her face fell, as if my words were a physical blow. “In fact, I came here hoping you would have the sense to realize that our bond is a mistake, and that we ought to reject each other. But now I see I was mistaken.”

Her expression crumbled at my words, and she began to sob quietly, the sound grating against my nerves.

There was a time when I believed that the reason I no longer loved Keisha was because I was still angry. I thought if she could just give me enough reasons to forgive her, we could return to the way things were.

But as I stood before her, watching her cry, I came to a chilling realization: I felt nothing. No love, no anger, not even pity as she wept.

“Jarek…” Her voice broke through the silence, and I raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue. When she finally spoke, her words were like nails on a chalkboard.

“I am sorry for going with Gerald five years ago.”

Her apology ignited a firestorm of rage within me, intensifying my anger. I felt the corners of my eyes burn, not with tears, but with something far darker.

“You’re saying those words five years too late. They’ve lost all meaning, and I have no need for them now.”

“Can’t we just go back to how we used to be? Can’t you just forgive me this once and take me back?”

What was she thinking?

Her words, so carelessly uttered, dredged up memories I had tried to bury. I squeezed my eyes shut, attempting to block out the pain, but when her fingers grazed my hand, I recoiled once more, my skin crawling at her touch.

“Jarek, I miss you… terribly. I miss what we had. Eloping with Gerald was the worst mistake of my life! So please, don’t hold it against me forever. Don’t throw away our mate bond for something so insignificant!”

Insignificant.

The word echoed in my mind, a taunting refrain that made my blood boil.

Hypocritical.

She had tossed away our mate bond when she pursued Gerald, abandoning everything we had built together. She had turned her back on our pack, choosing to associate with rogue Lycans instead. And she had lost me the day Grace was taken from us…

At that memory, my wolf stirred within me, a dangerous energy surging through my veins, causing a piercing headache to split my skull.

I stumbled into a nearby chair, groaning as the pain intensified.

“Jarek!” I heard Keisha’s frantic voice calling out to me, her warm hands cupping my face, and I felt the last remnants of my control slip away.

In that moment, something inside me snapped.

My hand shot out, wrapping around her neck as she gasped in shock, her cries of distress ringing in my ears. I didn’t stop; if anything, her panic fueled my fury.

My voice was as frigid as the snow falling outside as I growled into her ear, “I could never forgive you, even if I wanted to.”

“Jarek!” She cried out, thrashing against me, tears streaming down her face. “You don’t mean that! You can’t! You love me!”

“I loved you!” I corrected her, my voice rising in anger. “I loved you so deeply that I tried to overlook your flaws. I tried to make you belong. I tried to make everyone love you just as much as I did!”

“I know! I know!” She gasped, her voice breaking as she cried hysterically. “That’s why I know you could never leave me!”

Those words jolted me back to reality, and I sighed, reluctantly releasing her neck. I pulled back, though every fiber of my being wanted to keep her close, and I said,

“You apologized for leaving me… for eloping with Gerald… but you never apologized for what happened to Grace. You never acknowledged the devastation your rebellion caused her… to my mother… to my entire family!”

The moment those words left my lips, I watched her face fall, and to my utter disgust, she sank to her knees, sobbing.

But crying doesn’t change anything, does it?

It doesn’t erase the trauma or the months I spent locked away in my room, loathing myself for being bound to someone who brought ruin upon my family.

The only flicker of light that emerged from my relationship with Keisha was my friendship with Leilani, and I would rather face any storm than allow her to destroy that.

Conclusion

In the aftermath of that tumultuous confrontation, Jarek stood at a precipice, grappling with the remnants of a bond that had once defined him. The weight of Keisha’s tears and her desperate pleas echoed in his mind, yet they no longer held the power to sway his heart. He had traversed a long, painful journey, learning that forgiveness could not be forced and that love, once shattered, rarely returned to its original form. The realization that he felt nothing for her now was both liberating and terrifying. Jarek understood that healing was not a linear path but a series of jagged turns, and he was finally ready to embrace the uncertainty of moving forward without the burdens of his past.

As he walked away from the hospital, the cold air filled his lungs, invigorating him with a sense of newfound clarity. Jarek knew that true healing would take time, but he was no longer shackled by the ghosts of his former life. With each step, he felt lighter, hopeful for what lay ahead. The bond he had with Leilani, forged in the fires of shared loss, was a beacon guiding him toward a future where he could rebuild himself, unencumbered by the pain of betrayal. In this moment of liberation, Jarek understood that healing was not just about letting go of the past; it was about embracing the promise of tomorrow, one slow but deliberate step at a time.

What to Expect in Next Chapter?

In the next chapter, readers can expect the tension between Jarek and Keisha to reach a boiling point, as the emotional stakes rise higher than ever. Jarek’s internal struggle will become more pronounced as he grapples with the remnants of his feelings for Keisha while trying to protect his burgeoning bond with Leilani. With Keisha’s relentless pleas for forgiveness and a second chance, Jarek must confront the ghosts of their past and the pain that lingers like a shadow over his heart. Will he be able to resist Keisha’s manipulative charm, or will the memories of their time together cloud his judgment once more?

As the chapter unfolds, the presence of Leilani looms larger, her unwavering support becoming a beacon of hope amidst Jarek’s turmoil. Readers will witness the evolution of Jarek’s relationship with Leilani as he begins to recognize the depth of their connection. However, the return of Keisha complicates matters, igniting a fierce battle within him. Will he choose to embrace the healing that Leilani offers, or will he falter under the weight of his past? As the tension escalates, the stakes for Jarek and his pack grow ever higher, leading to a climactic confrontation that will force him to make a decision that could alter the course of his life forever. Get ready for a whirlwind of emotions, revelations, and the constant struggle between love and betrayal, as the next chapter promises to be a turning point in Jarek’s tumultuous journey.

Chosen by None, Feared by All Chapter 115

Healing Slowly But Surely By R. Joseph 115