Healing Slowly But Surely By R. Joseph 84

Healing Slowly But Surely By R. Joseph 84 Summary

In “Healing Slowly But Surely” by R. Joseph, the protagonist grapples with the emotional turmoil of unrequited love and the complexities of friendship. After a long struggle, Leilani learns from Maya that Gavin and Maya are destined to be mates. This revelation brings a mix of emotions for Leilani, who feels heartbroken yet does not want Maya to reject that bond simply because of her past with Gavin. The weight of this knowledge leaves Leilani feeling wretched, as she battles her own feelings of despair and guilt.

Determined to move forward, Leilani decides to return to work despite her recent struggles and the concern of her friend Jarek. Their interaction is fraught with tension, as Jarek expresses his worries about Leilani’s health. However, Leilani is resolute in her desire to distract herself from her self-sabotaging thoughts. She seeks to enhance her home security due to unsettling incidents involving mysterious flowers, hinting at deeper issues she is facing.

As the day unfolds, Leilani learns about an important meeting with the De’Storm triplets, who are interested in acquiring her project at work. This news ignites a spark of ambition in her, and she boldly expresses her desire to be involved in the meeting. Jarek supports her decision, and their camaraderie shines through, even as they navigate the complexities of their respective feelings and relationships. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, with Leilani facing a room full of unexpected faces, including her parents and Gavin, setting the stage for future emotional confrontations and revelations.

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**Healing Slowly But Surely**

**By R. Joseph**

—

Jarek’s twisted plans.

Leilani.

—

After what felt like an eternity of probing and failing, I finally managed to extract the truth from her—Gavin and Maya were destined to be mates. It took every ounce of persistence I had, as she was incredibly hesitant to divulge that information. When she finally confessed, her eyes sparkled with an emotion I couldn’t quite place; she had felt the mate bond the moment she laid eyes on him. It made sense, I suppose, why she’d been acting so peculiarly around him.

Yet, as soon as the revelation slipped from her lips, she quickly declared that she would reject him. The weight of her words hung in the air, and I could almost hear the echo of my own heartbreak. She was fully aware of everything Gavin had done to me in the past, and while that knowledge should have brought me some comfort, it only deepened my sense of despair.

I felt absolutely wretched.

10:17

1/9

The last thing I wanted was for her to forfeit that precious connection that many of us yearned for, all because of me. I didn’t want to be that selfish friend, the one who stood by and watched her drown in regret, only to find herself grappling with the same gaping emptiness that consumed me half the time.

Maya stayed for a while, but eventually left for another blind date, promising me that this one would be an improvement over the last. She kissed me goodbye, and as she walked away, I was left alone, surrounded by an avalanche of conflicting thoughts swirling in my mind.

The following day, I resolved that I could no longer remain at home, paralyzed by my emotions. I needed to take action, so I dressed with purpose and headed to work.

As I stepped outside, however, I noticed something unsettling—the bouquet of roses that had graced my doorstep was gone. That realization gnawed at me for a moment, but I shook it off, climbed into my car, and drove away, determined to focus on the day ahead.

10:17

2/9

When I arrived at Frostclaw Inc., Jarek’s face registered pure shock as he spotted me emerging from my vehicle. His eyes widened, and he exclaimed in a hushed tone, “What the hell are you doing here?!”

“Good morning to you too, Frostclaw,” I replied with a smile, positioning myself beside him.

His familiar warmth enveloped me like a comforting cloak, a sensation I usually leaned into. But today was different. Instead, I maintained a polite smile, my voice steady as I teased, “You might want to close your mouth and stop staring.”

“Leilani, you’re not fully healed,” he countered, his voice edged with concern. “You were just discharged yesterday. Why are you at work today?”

“Because staying home won’t help me heal,” I answered as we stepped into the elevator, the curious stares of passersby weighing heavily on us. “Besides, I already feel better, so you should worry less.”

10:17

3/9

“And how am I supposed to not worry—”

“If you’re so concerned, then take care of me!” I snapped, cutting him off. “Give me something to do. Let me work. It’s the only way I can keep those self-sabotaging thoughts at bay.”

At that, his mouth snapped shut. He turned to me, his hands gripping my shoulders as he leaned down, bringing our eyes to the same level. “What self-sabotaging thoughts are you having?” he asked, his voice low and earnest.

“I don’t know…” I shrugged, the honesty of my response hanging in the air. “So much has been happening lately. Also, I need someone from the company to enhance the security around my house. I want to find out who keeps leaving those flowers. My camera hasn’t caught anything useful.”

“Did something happen?” His voice was soft—too soft—and for a fleeting moment, I imagined how different life would be if he were mine, if I didn’t have the weight of my family and my mates hanging over me… But that was a fantasy, wasn’t it? He had a mate too.

I shook my head to dispel the thought and sighed. “Yes, something did happen, but I’ll tell you about it later.”

He nodded, accepting my words without further question. “Okay.”

Just as I was about to slip out of his grasp, the elevator doors opened, and a chorus of small gasps reached my ears. I glanced up at him, then at the crowd of people waiting by the door. Realization hit me like a cold wave; we were standing too close, his hands still resting on my shoulders. I cleared my throat, trying to diffuse the tension.

He blinked, confused. “What?”

I gestured toward the onlookers, my cheeks warming.

10:17

5/9

Jarek turned to face them, his face flushing a bright shade of pink as he quickly withdrew his hands and began adjusting his tie. I couldn’t help but smile as the crowd joined us in the elevator. Wanting to steer the conversation toward less awkward waters, I leaned in and whispered, “What’s on our agenda for today?”

“You really plan to work?” He looked at me, a mix of disbelief and concern dancing in his eyes. I could see the silent plea in his expression, urging me to reconsider.

With a determined smile, I nodded. “Yes.”

He sighed, dropping his gaze momentarily. “We have a meeting with the board today to discuss CUSP’s funding and implementation. But before that, I have an appointment with the CEOs of the De’Storm group.”

10:17

6/9

At the mention of that name, my heart skipped a beat. I froze, slowly turning to face him. “The triplets?”

“Exactly,” he replied, his smile unwavering.

“Really? What brings them here?”

Jarek’s grin remained as we spoke. “Apparently, they’re interested in acquiring CUSP. One of them, in particular, has set his sights on its central processing module, despite knowing that the genius behind it is you.”

“They probably think I’m just a pretty face with silver hair,” I scoffed, a hint of bitterness lacing my words.

Jarek chuckled at that. He glanced at his wristwatch, his eyes sparkling with barely contained excitement. “I’ve been brainstorming ways to make this meeting torturous for them. But now, after seeing you, I know exactly what the real torture should be…”

10:17

7/9

“I want to come along,” I blurted out, a wild idea forming in the depths of my mind.

Jarek grinned, not objecting. Instead, he declared, “I want to put you in charge.”

My smile beamed so brightly it could rival the fluorescent lights overhead. As we stepped out of the elevator, he placed his hand at the small of my back, guiding me toward the meeting room. He leaned in close, whispering in my ear, “Brace yourself.”

I shot him a glare, only to instantly grasp the meaning behind his words when he pushed open the door. There they were—the triplets, seated around a large oval table. But that wasn’t all.

Chalice was there.

My parents were present as well.

And so was Gavin.

This was going to be… interesting.

10:17

8/9

Conclusion

As the day unfolded, I felt a strange blend of anxiety and determination coursing through me. The presence of Gavin and Chalice, alongside my parents, added layers of complexity to an already tense situation, but I was resolute in my decision to face it all head-on. With Jarek’s unwavering support, I began to reclaim my sense of agency, transforming my fear into a source of strength. I realized that healing wasn’t just about moving past the pain; it was about confronting it, and today was my first step towards that empowerment. Surrounded by the chaos of familial expectations and the weight of unresolved emotions, I felt a flicker of hope igniting within me, reminding me that I was not alone in this journey.

As I took my place at the table, I could feel the eyes of everyone in the room on me, but instead of shrinking back, I embraced the moment. This was my chance to assert myself, to remind everyone—including myself—of my worth. I was no longer defined by my past or the heartbreak that had once consumed me. With each word I spoke, I felt the chains of self-doubt loosening, replaced by a newfound confidence. Healing was indeed a slow process, but as I looked at Jarek, his encouraging smile a beacon of support, I knew I was moving forward, step by step, slowly but surely towards a brighter future.

What to Expect in Next Chapter?

In the next chapter, readers can expect the tension to escalate dramatically as Leilani finds herself in a high-stakes meeting with not just the De’Storm triplets, but also her parents and Gavin. The air will be thick with unspoken emotions and unresolved conflicts, setting the stage for confrontations that could change everything. With her heart racing and her mind racing even faster, Leilani will have to navigate the complexities of her relationships while grappling with the weight of her past decisions. Will she be able to hold her own against the triplets and assert her worth, or will the presence of those she has complicated feelings for throw her off balance?

Moreover, the mystery surrounding the bouquet of roses will deepen, compelling Leilani to confront the unsettling reality that someone is watching her. As she seeks to uncover the truth behind the flowers, the chapter promises to intertwine elements of suspense and intrigue, leading her down a path that could reveal more about herself than she ever anticipated. Expect unexpected alliances, emotional revelations, and perhaps a few surprises that will challenge Leilani’s understanding of love, loyalty, and the bonds that bind her to those around her. The stakes have never been higher, and the journey toward healing is about to take a thrilling turn.

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 84

Healing Slowly But Surely By R. Joseph 84