Offered to the Triplet Alphas

Chapter-55. How long

[Ezra]

"Is she the one? The cat you wanted as your healing partner?"

Xanthea peered at me for a few seconds and then lowered her head.

"N-no. I-I mean, I am excited about my new books." She said, forcing a smile onto her face.

I contemplated her for a while and then let out a sigh.

'... Don't try to attribute characteristics of the living to lifeless objects because if they were to come to life, you wouldn't be able to handle it,' her words replayed in my mind. Fine.

Lifeless object, huh? Let's see if I can or cannot handle a lifeless object coming to life.

Years ago, someone asked me this question, and it changed my entire life. Maybe it was time I passed it on to someone else. "Xanthea..."

She lifted her eyes to mine with slight hesitation and fear.

It was infuriating how she revived the parts of me I had buried long ago. How my heart read her pain like I had been doing it for years.

Sharing this question with her would mean sharing all those aching parts of me, both emotionally and psychologically.

I ran my fingers through my hair, taking in a deep breath.

Everything around us went silent. The market blurred away as I was a lot more aware of our heartbeats and breaths. At that moment, it felt like it was just us standing face to face. Holding her gaze, I asked.

"How long... do you plan to continue living like this?"

She drew in her brows as she widened her eyes slightly.

She remained silent and so did I.

Being alone with one's thoughts is always scary, but that was the only way to fix what's broken inside.

One glimpse in her eyes and it was like I could read her soul through and through. Maybe because once I too had a soul just as shattered, just as broken. And the longer I stared into her eyes, the deeper I drowned into the abyss of my past. So I knew how important it was for her to hear this.

"Isn't it tiring being the same all the time just because you are afraid of how others will react to those changes? How long do you plan to be weak, angel?" I asked, feeling a heavy weight press down on my chest.

Normal people develop coping mechanisms, and then people like us develop surviving mechanisms. But it does us more harm than good, closing us from possibilities of life. And then we look for a solution in others, in time. She took in a deep breath, tensing her body as she shut her eyes.

I stepped closer to her and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop myself from caressing her cheek.

"Your life has changed now. And with us as your husbands, it will never be the same again. I know life with us might not be better than your previous one, but hey! It can't get any worse. For better or for worse, we'll be around and no one's worse than us."

Biting her quivering lips, she held back her tears and laughter. She turned around, swiftly wiping off her tears.

I stepped closer to her, wrapping my arm across her heaving chest as I hugged her from behind.

gave her time to settle with

am sorry..." her voice cracked with the weight of her emotions and I knew she wasn't apologizing to me but herself.

a quick gulp, I let

"It's ok," I said.

cruelty we inflict upon ourselves

The cat you want as your healing partner?" I

"Yes," she

are ready to be her healing partner?"

fists by her

to Grimbooks and try to decipher why you aren't ready for her," I said, lightening the heaviness that had engulfed the

strolled beside me, both of us looking around

do you

thought for a while before

told me the entire incident that happened in the forests near Helxton and how she almost

do you think of Raven's decision after recalling what happened?" I asked, examining the

it's not about taking the fastest and safest path. Difficult paths are often

you strong enough to tread on those difficult paths

her lips in a thin

your path's clear,

I complete the healer course with another healing

to lose. If not for yourself, then for Zosha, you'll have to become stronger. But remember, before protecting anyone else, you must be capable enough to protect yourself. Before changing others, you must

for the full experience. You won't find the next chapter

looked at

many ways. Every way. And I have realized that knowledge is not everything, and I don't even have that kind of knowledge... yet. So, how do I... get

them. But limitations are not weaknesses; they are your guide. They are like the levels

my words were making sense.

trust. Show him you can save yourself even when he is not around. You see, Raven isn't someone to easily show what's truly on his mind. His words often come out stingy and rude, more like a murder threat. But let's not forget he is a healer at heart. And I can tell,

as she fidgeted with her fingers, nibbling

to him you can fend for yourself if things go wrong like the other day. You'll have to show him you can handle Zosha and her powers as a mortal without risking your life. All I can do

eyes again, and I saw

change even after college starts," I said,

eyes lit up and this time, when she smiled, it looked

I ask

"Go on."

enroll in Helxton, so why

at her words. I looked at

you. Helping you is totally selfish. Don't catch feelings

tensed, and a flush crept up her cheeks, staining them cherry red. She quickly averted her

I

steps,

I chuckled, following her.

***

Xanthea wandered among the life-sized anatomical models