\u00a0<\/p>\n
In \u201cHealing Slowly But Surely,\u201d Leilani wakes up with a severe fever that leaves her feeling weak and disoriented. However, amidst her discomfort, she discovers an inexplicable surge of strength that allows her to lift heavy objects, including her refrigerator, which leads to a chaotic scene in her kitchen. This newfound power is both exhilarating and frightening, as it contrasts sharply with her physical state of illness. She grapples with the realization that she is not normal and struggles to comprehend the implications of her strength.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
When her best friends, Maya and Jarek, arrive to check on her, Leilani feels an overwhelming urge to hide the truth about her extraordinary strength. Maya\u2019s concern about the mess in the kitchen prompts a moment of panic for Leilani, who feels unable to explain the situation. Jarek\u2019s protective nature towards her adds warmth to the scene, but it also complicates her feelings, especially considering their recent shared kiss. Leilani\u2019s emotions are a mix of embarrassment and affection as she navigates her friends\u2019 concern and her own chaotic situation.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
As the day unfolds, Leilani receives a distressing call from Zevran, who informs her that Kael is in a critical state and calling for her in his unconsciousness. This news fills her with dread and a sense of obligation, intensified by the mate bond they share. Despite her own illness, she feels compelled to visit Kael at the hospital, battling her anxiety and the weight of her decision. The emotional turmoil is palpable as she contemplates her past experiences with the triplets and the pain of their betrayal.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
In a moment of solidarity, Jarek offers to accompany Leilani to the hospital, followed by Maya\u2019s cheerful agreement to join them. This gesture of support brings a sense of comfort to Leilani amidst her turmoil, and she feels grateful for her friends\u2019 unwavering presence. The chapter concludes with a sense of hope and camaraderie, highlighting the importance of friendship during challenging times, even as Leilani faces the uncertainty of her own powers and the situation with Kael.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
**Healing Slowly But Surely**
\nBy R. Joseph<\/p>\n
**122**<\/p>\n
My dearest companions.<\/p>\n
Leilani.<\/p>\n
This morning, I awoke to a relentless fever coursing through my body. Every inch of me throbbed with an intensity that was far from the usual aftermath of a night spent with friends. No, this was different\u2014raw, brutal, and it sent shivers racing down my spine, rattling my bones with such ferocity that I stumbled more than once as I attempted to rise from my bed.<\/p>\n
But amidst the discomfort, something peculiar struck me.<\/p>\n
In addition to my feverish state, an inexplicable surge of strength coursed through my veins. It first hit me when I reached for the stool beside my bed, searching for my shawl. To my astonishment, it felt as light as a feather in my grasp.<\/p>\n
Curiosity piqued, I began experimenting. I reached for heavier items, pushing my limits further with each attempt until, in a moment of sheer madness, I found myself lifting the refrigerator in my kitchen. The thrill of power surged through me until the door creaked ominously, and the contents within tumbled out, scattering across the floor in a chaotic mess.<\/p>\n
I gasped audibly, my eyes widening in disbelief. My heart raced, pounding in my chest as clarity struck me like a bolt of lightning. This wasn\u2019t just unusual\u2014it was downright extraordinary.<\/p>\n
I was not normal.<\/p>\n
My legs quaked as I dashed upstairs to my room, urgency propelling me forward. Once inside, I grabbed my phone, my hands trembling as I typed out a frantic message to the only two people I trusted completely\u2014no, scratch that\u2014my best friends, Maya and Jarek.<\/p>\n
Within thirty minutes, they arrived at my doorstep, each bearing an assortment of treats: fruits, snacks, chocolates\u2014anything that could possibly lift the spirits of a sick and gloomy girl.<\/p>\n
I had only told them I was feeling down and unwell.<\/p>\n
The truth was, I couldn\u2019t bring myself to confess the bizarre strength I\u2019d experienced, a strength that felt so potent I could have effortlessly lifted my car if I\u2019d had the right motivation.<\/p>\n
Moreover, after the refrigerator incident, I felt an unexpected wave of weakness wash over me, rendering me unable to rectify the chaos I\u2019d unleashed in my kitchen.<\/p>\n
\u201cJesus, Leilani!\u201d Maya exclaimed, her voice a mixture of shock and concern, breaking through the haze of my thoughts. I glanced up, momentarily avoiding Jarek\u2019s scrutinizing gaze, my focus landing squarely on Maya.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is it?\u201d I asked, genuinely puzzled.<\/p>\n
She rolled her eyes dramatically, exhaling in disbelief. \u201cWhat kind of earthquake happened in your kitchen?!\u201d<\/p>\n
At her words, I froze. My heart raced uncontrollably, and my tongue felt glued to the roof of my mouth, rendering me speechless.<\/p>\n
I couldn\u2019t muster the courage to tell her the truth. And in that moment of panic, I could not fabricate a lie either, so I simply shrugged.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t give me that!\u201d she snapped, her frustration palpable, causing Jarek to narrow his eyes as he shot her a warning glare. \u201cThere\u2019s a disaster in your kitchen, and you can\u2019t just brush it off!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGoddess, don\u2019t yell at her!\u201d Jarek interjected, his voice low and commanding, making Maya flinch slightly, fear flickering in her eyes.<\/p>\n
His protective response sent a warm flutter through my heart, but it also rattled me. In a desperate attempt to ease the tension, I lowered my voice, took his hands in mine, and said, \u201cPlease don\u2019t growl at Maya\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
His gaze shifted from my face to where Maya had retreated back into the kitchen. He sighed, his expression softening. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to,\u201d he murmured, \u201cI just reacted when I saw you uncomfortable with her questions.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s just like that with me,\u201d I replied gently, attempting to lighten the mood. \u201cI\u2019m the same way with her. It\u2019s what makes us friends. Besides, she\u2019s going through a rough time herself.\u201d<\/p>\n
At my words, his expression softened further, and he nodded, a gentle smile gracing his lips as he affectionately patted my hair. Then, with a more serious demeanor, he asked, \u201cWhat\u2019s going on in the kitchen?\u201d<\/p>\n
Heat crept into my cheeks\u2014not from embarrassment, but from sheer mortification. My gaze dropped, and I muttered, \u201cI accidentally knocked over my refrigerator.\u201d<\/p>\n
His eyebrows shot up, incredulity etched across his features. \u201cHuh?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, you heard me correctly. I accidentally knocked over my refrigerator. It was a total accident.\u201d<\/p>\n
For a fleeting moment, Jarek looked utterly bewildered, his eyes boring into mine as if trying to decipher whether I was jesting. But, true to his nature, he didn\u2019t press the issue further.<\/p>\n
Instead, he chuckled softly and said, \u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n
I blinked, taken aback by his acceptance.<\/p>\n
\u201cI should go help Maya clean up then\u2026 and, you know, apologize for being so protective,\u201d he added, giving my head one last gentle pat before slipping into the kitchen.<\/p>\n
I watched him leave, my heart racing as memories of our shared kiss two days prior flooded my mind. The way he had looked at me, the warmth of his touch\u2014it all sent shivers down my spine.<\/p>\n
A part of me worried he might still be upset with Maya for interrupting that moment, and I found that amusing in a strange way.<\/p>\n
As I waited for them to tackle the mess in my kitchen, I settled down in front of the television, my mind wandering until my phone began to ring.<\/p>\n
I froze, my heart leaping into my throat.<\/p>\n
It was Zevran.<\/p>\n
What could he possibly want now?<\/p>\n
Confusion washed over me as I stared at the screen, letting the phone ring until it fell silent. Just as I sighed in relief, believing he wouldn\u2019t call back, the phone rang again. And again. Panic began to bubble within me.<\/p>\n
What if it was about Kael?<\/p>\n
What if something terrible had happened?<\/p>\n
Is he dead?<\/p>\n
The thought struck me like a lightning bolt, but I quickly shoved it aside. I knew that was impossible. If he had died, I would have felt it.<\/p>\n
The burden of sharing a mate bond with someone meant enduring the agonizing ache of their demise, and it was the very reason I had never forgiven the triplets for allowing my parents to hold my funeral. They of all people should have known I wasn\u2019t dead.<\/p>\n
With a deep breath, I picked up the phone and pressed it to my ear, my breaths shallow and rapid as I braced myself for whatever news awaited me.<\/p>\n
\u201cHello, Leilani,\u201d he drawled, his voice low and distant.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, what do you want?\u201d I replied quietly, forcing an icy edge into my tone.<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t want him to sense my anxiety about Kael. I needed to keep my composure, even as my heart raced at the thought of bad news.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease, can you come to the hospital today?\u201d His voice came through again, laced with urgency.<\/p>\n
The request caught me off guard, and I frowned. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cKael is in a bad state. He hasn\u2019t woken up yet. We don\u2019t know what\u2019s happening, but he keeps calling your name in his sleep\u2026 or coma\u2026 or whatever it is,\u201d his voice trailed off, and I could hear the strain in his tone, hinting at the emotional turmoil he was battling.<\/p>\n
My heart ached at his words, and I cursed the mate bond that compelled me to feel this way\u2014this overwhelming pity for men who had never shown me compassion when I needed it most.<\/p>\n
I was at a loss for words, and the thought of going to the hospital filled me with dread. I remained silent, allowing him to ramble on about his regrets and reassurances that he wouldn\u2019t bother me again after this one time.<\/p>\n
Cold sweat began to bead on my skin as I sighed, feeling the weight of my own discomfort. \u201cI don\u2019t know, Zevran. I\u2019m not feeling too well myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLeilani, please, I beg you!\u201d he pleaded, likely convinced I was lying about my health. \u201cI promise I won\u2019t disturb you again. You just need to talk to him. He might not respond, but I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll know it\u2019s you.\u201d<\/p>\n
A heavy silence enveloped us, thick with unspoken questions and unyielding tension. I tried to breathe through my nose, but it felt like my lungs were filled with lead, making it hard to exhale.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease\u2026\u201d his voice broke through the silence, and I finally made a decision.<\/p>\n
Just this once, I told myself.<\/p>\n
Never again.<\/p>\n
With a resigned sigh that I hoped he could hear, I replied softly, \u201cOkay, I\u2019ll come today.\u201d Before he could respond, I dropped the phone and buried my face in my hands, overwhelmed by the weight of my choice.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll go with you,\u201d a voice suddenly chimed in beside me.<\/p>\n
I lifted my head to find Jarek\u2019s gaze locked onto mine, and the intensity in his eyes made my heart flutter.<\/p>\n
His fingers brushed against my cheek, igniting a warmth within me as he spoke, \u201cI\u2019ll come with you, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
I nodded, but before I could respond, another voice chimed in cheerfully, \u201cAnd me too!\u201d It was Maya, and I didn\u2019t need to look to confirm it.<\/p>\n
A smile crept onto my lips, grateful for their unwavering support.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
As the day unfolded, I felt a sense of clarity wash over me, a stark contrast to the chaos that had filled my kitchen and my mind. The bizarre strength I had experienced was a metaphor for my journey\u2014one that had been fraught with confusion and the weight of unspoken truths. I had been teetering on the edge of vulnerability, unsure of how to navigate my feelings for Jarek and the looming shadow of Kael\u2019s condition. Yet, in the warmth of my friends\u2019 presence, I began to understand that healing is not a solitary endeavor. It is a shared experience, woven together by the threads of compassion, understanding, and unconditional support. With each passing moment, I felt the fever of uncertainty begin to fade, replaced by a burgeoning sense of hope.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The decision to visit Kael was laden with trepidation, but it also marked a pivotal moment in my emotional arc. I was no longer the girl who felt shackled by fear; I was stepping into the unknown with my friends by my side, ready to confront the complexities of love, loss, and healing. Jarek\u2019s gentle reassurance and Maya\u2019s unwavering enthusiasm served as anchors, grounding me as I faced the storm ahead. In that moment, I realized that it was okay to lean on those who cared for me, to allow myself to be vulnerable. The journey of healing may be slow, but with the support of my dearest companions, I was finally ready to embrace it, one step at a time.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
As the tension mounts, Leilani\u2019s journey takes a pivotal turn when she ventures to the hospital to confront the uncertainty surrounding Kael\u2019s condition. The emotional stakes are high, and the weight of her decision to support Zevran while grappling with her own burgeoning powers will test her resilience. Readers can anticipate a deep dive into Leilani\u2019s internal struggle as she navigates the complexities of her relationships with her friends, her mysterious newfound strength, and the haunting implications of the mate bond she shares with Kael. Will she find the courage to face her fears, or will the shadows of her past continue to loom over her?<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Moreover, the dynamics between Leilani, Jarek, and Maya will evolve as they stand by her side during this tumultuous time. With Jarek\u2019s protective instincts surfacing and Maya\u2019s unwavering loyalty, the trio\u2019s bond will be put to the test. Expect moments of vulnerability, heartfelt confessions, and perhaps a revelation or two about Leilani\u2019s extraordinary abilities that could change everything. As they navigate the hospital\u2019s sterile corridors, the stakes will rise, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover what lies ahead for Leilani and the choices she must make. Will she unlock the true potential of her strength, or will the burdens of her past hold her back when she needs to be at her strongest?<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Healing Slowly But Surely By R. Joseph 122 Healing Slowly But Surely By R. Joseph 122 Summary \u00a0 In \u201cHealing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[56],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23325","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-chosen-by-none-feared-by-all"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23325","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23325"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23325\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23325"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23325"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23325"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}