Healing Slowly But Surely By R. Joseph 38

Healing Slowly But Surely By R. Joseph 38 Summary

In “Healing Slowly But Surely,” Leilani experiences a whirlwind of emotions after an unexpected kiss from Zevran, which leaves her in a state of shock and confusion. As she grapples with the implications of the kiss, she reflects on her complicated feelings towards him and the bond they share. The memory of the kiss triggers a mix of exhilaration and dread, particularly as she recalls her previous attempt to sever their connection, which nearly cost her life. This internal struggle is compounded by her desire to break free from the bond while simultaneously feeling guilty about the prospect of hurting Zevran.

The story takes a turn when Leilani faces an unexpected encounter with her mother and Chalice, who are waiting for her outside her workplace. Their interaction quickly escalates into a confrontation, revealing the deep-seated resentment Leilani harbors towards her mother for years of neglect. Despite her mother’s pleas for help regarding Chalice’s job application, Leilani remains resolute in her disdain for Chalice, whom she views as manipulative and untrustworthy. This tension highlights Leilani’s struggle for autonomy and her determination to stand up for herself.

As the day progresses, Leilani’s conflicting emotions continue to surface, especially when she learns that Chalice has applied for a position at her company. Despite her initial reluctance, Leilani ultimately agrees to consider helping Chalice, albeit with skepticism. This decision reflects her internal conflict between wanting to support her own career while also battling the chaos Chalice’s presence could bring into her life. The narrative builds up to a climax when Leilani discovers Chalice’s résumé among the applicants for a job she is tasked with reviewing, leading her to decisively discard it, symbolizing her refusal to allow Chalice into her world.

Overall, the chapter encapsulates Leilani’s journey of self-discovery amidst familial tensions and romantic uncertainties. The emotions she navigates—shock, guilt, resentment, and determination—paint a vivid picture of her struggle to reclaim her identity and assert her boundaries in the face of external pressures. The story leaves readers anticipating how Leilani will continue to confront her past and the relationships that shape her present.

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

**Going Low.**

Leilani.

A fierce heat radiated from my cheek.

That was undoubtedly the most accurate way to describe the electric sensation that coursed through the very spot where Zevran had just pressed his lips against my skin before dashing out of the house like a man possessed, as if a wild beast were nipping at his heels.

What in the world just transpired?

Did Zevran really just kiss me?

I found myself rooted to the spot, unable to muster the energy to throw open the door and yell after him for that audacious act. Instead, I stood there, paralyzed by shock, my heart racing as I struggled to process what had just happened.

Was he out of his mind?

Had he truly lost it?

These questions swirled chaotically in my mind as I wandered into the kitchen, mechanically warming up my now lukewarm bowl of ramen. I returned to the living room, plopping down on the couch, the television flickering to life as a distraction.

But trust me, I was still in a haze. My body quivered at the mere recollection of that kiss, and my skin—oh, my skin—tingled as if jolted by an electric current whenever I replayed the moment in my head.

Absentmindedly, I brushed my fingers over the spot where his lips had touched, flinching as steam from my bowl seared my lap. “Shit! Shit, shit, shit!” I groaned, sitting up straight to assess the damage… but to my surprise, there was nothing there.

I frowned, pondering, “Really strange things have been happening lately.”

As soon as those words left my lips, my thoughts drifted back to my promise to Zevran—to end things with them without enduring the painful ritual of severing our bond.

But now, reflecting on it, a pang of guilt settled in my chest. I was overwhelmed with fear and confusion—not because I was hesitant to let go of them, but because I dreaded the thought of shifting.

The last time I attempted it, the agony was so intense that I nearly lost my life, my wolf far too weak to handle the transformation. So weak.

And my body, it mirrored that weakness. But I would never admit that to them.

Truth be told, I didn’t care if it meant my own ruin; I would rather cut ties with them than remain shackled to this bond.

The evening slipped away as I immersed myself in the antics of *Family Guy*, slurping up my ramen and sipping on wine—a questionable combination, I know. By the time I finally crawled into bed, thoughts of the triplets had completely evaporated from my mind.

I felt weightless… liberated from the looming unknown.

However, that lightness was short-lived. I woke up hours later, the realization hitting me like a ton of bricks—I had overslept! I was supposed to be at work in just forty minutes.

Oh, shit, shit, shit!

Panic surged through me as I wrestled with the zipper of my pants, racing out of the house with my Saint Laurent heels clicking against the marble floor in a frantic rhythm.

As I stepped onto my porch, my eyes fell upon an unexpected sight—a lavish bouquet of roses sitting by my front door. I froze in disbelief. “What the hell?”

Tentatively, I approached the bizarre offering, plucking one of the flowers to inhale its fragrance. It was fresh, clearly placed there that very morning.

No tags, no notes—nothing. For a fleeting moment, I wondered if this was from the same secret admirer who had sent me flowers at the hotel.

‘Maybe they are the same person,’ I mused, tossing the bouquet into the trash.

A few minutes later, I pulled into the parking lot of Frostclaw Inc. My heart sank when I spotted my mother and Chalice standing there, seemingly waiting for me.

As soon as my mother caught sight of me, she waved frantically, her brow furrowing when I pretended not to see her. “Leilani!” she called out, her voice rising with urgency, “Don’t act like you can’t see me because I can see you—clearly.”

My steps hesitated, but I refused to stop. “I need to talk to you!” I shouted back, still moving forward.

But then, a sudden grip on my arm halted me, and before I could process what was happening, my mother spun me around so quickly that I nearly lost my balance. I winced, irritation flooding my senses. “What?”

“I said I wanted to talk to you! Why are you so disrespectful?!” she yelled, the words bursting forth like a dam breaking. A small, almost amused smile tugged at my lips as I looked down at her.

“You didn’t like it when I ignored you?” I teased, my smile widening as she quickly shook her head in response.

“Of course, I don’t!”

“Now you might understand how I felt when you ignored me my entire life,” I shot back, the words slipping out before I could stop them.

My mother gasped, clutching her chest in shock as she stumbled back, nearly losing her footing. Chalice rushed to steady her, positioning herself protectively between us.

“The issue is with me, Leilani,” she said softly, her tone almost condescending. “Mother didn’t do anything wrong—”

“And that’s where you’re mistaken!” I snapped, cutting her off. “Mother is just as guilty, if not more. She’s the one who inflated your ego, so stop portraying her as some kind of saint! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.” I hissed, sidestepping Chalice to head toward the reception.

Barely a few steps in, my mother’s voice pierced the air. “I need your help, Leilani!”

I froze.

Wait… what?

Since when did the formidable Nina Blackthorne require assistance from someone like me?

A grin spread across my face as I turned back to her, locking her with the iciest glare I could muster. “No.”

“Leilani!”

“What?!”

“Okay, I understand. Caelum was disrespectful yesterday. He must have said something to hurt you, which is why you’re so determined to keep them from working with Frostclaw. But Chalice here is innocent…” she pleaded, clinging to Chalice’s arm and directing a pointed look at me.

The notion of ‘innocent Chalice’ made my stomach churn. I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Really? Innocent?”

“Yes.”

“So what do you expect me to do about her ‘innocence’?”

“She wants to work here at Frostclaw Inc. We’re not asking for much; we just need you to put in a good word for her.”

This time, laughter erupted from me, so hearty that it left my ribs aching. I laughed until tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, wiping them away as I turned to Chalice.

“You want to work here?”

“Yes,” she murmured, her gaze dropping to the ground. “I’ve always wanted to. Their innovations in recent years have been groundbreaking, and their latest AI health project, DocBud, is something I’ve dreamed of working with and studying.”

A smile crept onto my face. I had created that.

“If you truly feel that way, then submit your résumé. If you’re qualified, they’ll offer you a contract. They just posted some openings.”

“I’ve already sent in my résumé,” she replied quickly, desperation creeping into her voice. “That’s why Mom and I need you to speak on my behalf. Please.”

Chalice was asking for my help? Pleading to work in the same company as I did?

Confusion knitted my brow as I took in their serious expressions. Finally, I relented with a nod. “I’ll see what I can do,” I muttered, turning away from them, silently praying to the moon goddess that she wouldn’t be accepted.

She was a snake… a venomous one. I was smart enough to understand that her presence would only invite more chaos into my life.

-Guyssss, do you know what the moon goddess decided?

No? Allow me to enlighten you.

When I finally arrived at my office, Jarek’s PA informed me that he had assigned me the task of sorting through the résumés of all the applicants for the recent job openings.

And guess what? My dear Chalice was number six on the list!

The moment I laid eyes on her résumé, well, you can imagine what happened next. It ended up in the trash faster than I could blink. ❤

Conclusion

In the aftermath of Zevran’s unexpected kiss, Leilani finds herself navigating a tumultuous sea of emotions, oscillating between confusion and a burgeoning sense of liberation. The kiss, a catalyst for her internal struggle, forces her to confront the weight of her bond with the triplets and the pain that comes with it. As she grapples with the fear of transformation and the memories of her past, she begins to realize that healing is not just about severing ties but about reclaiming her own agency. The lightness she felt after the kiss is fleeting, yet it ignites a spark of defiance within her, prompting her to stand up to her mother and Chalice, ultimately asserting her independence in a world that has often felt constricting.

Leilani’s journey towards healing is underscored by her decision to take control of her life, even if that means making difficult choices. The encounter with her mother and Chalice serves as a turning point, highlighting the complexities of familial relationships and the need for boundaries. By choosing to prioritize her own well-being over the expectations of others, she embraces the possibility of a future free from the chaos that has plagued her. The act of tossing Chalice’s résumé into the trash symbolizes not just a rejection of her past but also a commitment to her own path forward. In this chapter of her life, Leilani learns that healing is a gradual process, one marked by small victories and the courage to let go of what no longer serves her.

What to Expect in Next Chapter?

In the next chapter of *Healing Slowly But Surely*, readers can expect the tension between Leilani and her family to escalate as she grapples with her complex emotions. The unexpected kiss from Zevran looms large over her thoughts, igniting a whirlwind of confusion and desire that she must confront. As she navigates her tumultuous relationship with her mother and Chalice, the stakes rise dramatically. Will Leilani continue to defy her mother, or will she find herself drawn back into the web of familial expectations and betrayals? The tension is palpable, and the choices she makes could lead to unforeseen consequences.

Moreover, the arrival of Chalice’s résumé at Frostclaw Inc. presents a new layer of conflict for Leilani. With her past experiences with Chalice still fresh in her mind, Leilani must decide how to handle the situation. Will she bury her personal feelings and act professionally, or will her vendetta against Chalice cloud her judgment? As the chapter unfolds, readers will be left wondering how Leilani’s decisions will impact her career and her relationships. With the potential for betrayal, heartbreak, and unexpected alliances, the next chapter promises to be a rollercoaster of emotions that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.

Chosen by None, Feared by All Chapter 38

Healing Slowly But Surely By R. Joseph 38