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Fallen 157

Fallen 157

CHAPTER 0157 

Meadow’s POV

Cami, can I ask you a question?” 

I was seated in a chair in front of the mirror while she worked on my hair. Tonight was Clarissa’s opening party, and yesI was still going

Mainly because I hoped that HE would be there

Alaric

My heart still ached whenever I thought about him, and a simple fix would be to simply stop thinking about him 

but I couldn’t. He was connected to everything. My thoughts literally revolved around him

Just like right now

Camilla met my eyes in the mirror briefly, giving me a small smile before she went back to curling my hair. Sure, what’s up?” 

My lips parted and then closed back. I didn’t know how to word my question without seeming nosy or like I was prying into business that wasn’t mine

And then I swallowed, and decided to ask anyway. Your mother told me once that you were upset about Alaric wanting to open up a salon for you and taking your business to the next levelI trailed off when she met my eyes in the mirror again

However, she didn’t seem upset. So I continued. I don’t know if it’s wrong of me to ask this but I just wanted to know why.” 

Camí heaved a sigh. At first, I thought she was annoyed, but then I realized that she had a sad smile on her face and a look in her eyes that I couldn’t decipher

Shit

I’m sorry,I said quickly. If it’s too much, you can just ignore-” 

Alaric saved my mother and 1,she cut in, her throat bobbing as she swallowed. My fatherhe was pretty abusive, drunk all the time, you know? And Mama could never really leave because she was dependent on him, and even though she worked for the Ashfords and was getting paid, he kept taking it.She paused. I was only a little girl but I hated him so much. But Alaric, hehe saved us

She left that sentence hanging, and for lack of better words, I asked: May I ask how?” 

Camilla froze then, her grip tightening around the culer for a second, and then she spoke again. That’s the thing I don’t know. Mama never told me, and to be honestI never cared to know. I still don’t.” 

My heart stuttered

She shrugged. And I don’t think you should care or be curious about it either. All I know is that I grew up with my mama, and never looked back again. I never forgot it though. Never. And neither did she. It’s why we feel 

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indebted to him even though he’s reminded us so many times that we owe him nothing.” 

My throat tightened. So you don’t want him doing anything for you?” 

Cami ran a hand through her short hair. It’s not exactly that. I justI mean, yeah, sure, I think that’s it.She let out a nervous laugh

I didn’t ask any other questions, and Cami continued with my hair. But I couldn’t concentrate

On one hand, I wanted to know what Alaric did to her father, but on the other handthis was something that Cami wanted to forget, and I wasn’t about to open old wounds

In no time, she was done with my hair, and when she pulled back to let me give myself a proper look, my eyes widened

My hair

I had Cami cut it short. No, not that short. Just to my shoulders. I wanted to try something new. If my sister was going to keep pretending to be me, she would try to channel that tonight if she was comingwhich I had no doubt she was

But I wasn’t going to make it easy for her to copy me

However, I didn’t expect it to look this good

Oh my gosh!Nova exclaimed, her jaw dropping wide open as she stepped into the room. Who are you?” 

A smile pulled on the corners of my lips as I stared down at my outfit. I had on a long, black silk dress with a plunging neckline and a slit that went all the way up my left thigh

You like it?I asked her

Nova’s eyes dragged up to mine. Like it? Are you kidding me?And then her gaze softened as she reached for my hair and tucked it behind my ear

I fucking love it. I’d be stupid not to.” 

Cami chuckled, and I turned around to watch her pack her tools into her bag

You sure you don’t want to come along with me tonight?” 

She shook her head, waving her hand dismissively. Nah, I don’t really dodrama, and from what I’ve observed, there’s definitely going to be some drama at that party. Plus, I have a date.” 

Nova arched a brow. Nice. I have a date with Nolan as well.” 

Nova said Nolan didn’t want anything to do with Clarissawhich was completely understandable, considering what happened all those years ago. Novasimply hated Clarissa, and didn’t even want to be within five feet of Juniper

So yes, I was going alone

Huh, I guess I’m the unfortunate one who has to tease her husband from across a crowded room instead of 

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going out on a date with him,I said jokingly. When I looked at Nova, she was grinning at me

I knew exactly why she was, but I played dumb. What?” 

You’re still referring to Alaric as your husband,she answered without hesitation. That’s got to mean something, right? Right, Cami?” 

Uh huh,Cami muttered. She was typing away on her phone and I was almost completely sure that she hadn’t heard a word

I rolled my eyes, opening my mouth to respond, but before I could say anything at all, the sharp buzz of the intercom sounded all the way from the living room, startling me

I froze

Nova glanced toward the door, frowning. Are you expecting someone?” 

I shook my head. No,I answered honestly. It’s probably Tom wanting to talk to me or something.” 

I didn’t wait for anyone to say anything before I walked out of my room and toward the intercom

Or maybe it’s the driver?Cami added

Yeah, maybe,I muttered. Except, it couldn’t be him. I hadn’t ordered one yet. Hello?I called out after pressing the button

Tom’s voice crackled through the speaker for a second. Mrs. Ashford? There’s a man here asking to see you. Says it’s urgent.” 

My heart thumped wildly against my ribcage. No. 

It couldn’t be

UmMy voice shook. Did he say who he is?” 

Tom hesitated

I glanced at Nova, her brows were furrowed in confusion

Tom?” 

He’s yourhusband?” 

Today’s Bonus Offer 

Fallen

Fallen

Score 9.9
Status: Ongoing Type: Native Language: English
Fallen Summary & Review: Fallen

Meadow Russell arrives at an upscale hotel, heart fluttering with excitement and nerves. She’s about to marry the love of her life, Tyler, in a small, private ceremony — just the two of them. Clutching her bag, she approaches the front desk with a smile. “Hi, I have a reservation. Meadow Russell.”

But from the very first second, something feels off.

The receptionist’s red-painted lips curl into a mocking sneer, and her colleague exchanges a strange look with her. Meadow’s cheerful tone falters as confusion settles in. The woman scoffs, “You’re kidding, right?” The disbelief in her tone makes Meadow’s stomach twist. She frowns, insisting there must be a mistake, but both receptionists continue to look at her with something close to pity — and something else she can’t quite name.

Then comes the shocker.

According to the hotel records, she’s already checked in. Two hours ago. With a man. The receptionist even claims to have spoken with her — complimenting her “cute top.” The same white crop top with the word “BRIDE” written across it that she’s wearing now.

Meadow tries to rationalize it. Maybe Tyler had checked in under her name. Maybe it’s a simple mix-up. She laughs nervously and explains that her fiancé must have done it for convenience. But both receptionists seem unconvinced. One of them finally sighs and hands her a spare keycard, muttering, “I hope you get things sorted out.”

On her way up to the room, Meadow’s heart pounds in her chest. Something feels horribly wrong, but she refuses to believe it. Tyler would never do anything to hurt her. They’ve been planning this wedding for months — their dream elopement. She tries to calm herself, breathing in and out as the elevator ascends, but her hands won’t stop shaking.

When she finally reaches the room and swipes the keycard, her worst fears materialize before her eyes.

The moment the door opens, the sound hits her first — muffled moans, heavy breathing, the rhythmic creak of the bed. Then she sees them.

Her twin sister, Juniper, straddling Tyler, his hands gripping her hips as he thrusts into her without restraint.

The world stops. The bag slips from Meadow’s trembling hands and lands with a soft thud. The scene before her feels like a cruel joke — something ripped out of a nightmare. Her vision blurs with tears, her body frozen in disbelief.

For a full minute, she just stands there. Watching. Waiting. Hoping someone would scream “gotcha” and end this cruel trick.

But there’s no misunderstanding to clear up. No mistake. No illusion.

Her twin sister moans again, whispering, “Yes, that’s it, baby,” as if to drive the knife deeper into Meadow’s heart.

Something inside her shatters.

“Juniper…? Tyler?” she finally manages to whisper, her voice barely recognizable.

They both turn, startled. Tyler’s face twists in shock, then panic. He pushes Juniper off him, stammering, “Meadow, I swear, I thought she was you!”

It’s a pathetic excuse. One that doesn’t even make sense.

Juniper doesn’t even bother covering herself. She just smirks, tossing her messy hair over her shoulder like a queen enjoying the chaos she’s created. “Oh, please,” she scoffs. “It’s time we drop the act. This has been going on for a while.”

Meadow stumbles back, staring between them. “What are you talking about?”

Her twin rolls her eyes. “You really didn’t think he loved you, did you?”

It hits Meadow all at once — the hotel mix-up, the receptionist’s strange looks, the duplicate “Meadow Russell” check-in. Juniper had stolen her identity, her name, her wedding — and the man she loved.

Tyler tries to approach her again, naked and unashamed. He grabs her jaw gently, his expression hard. “You thought I loved you, Meadow? No. Juni’s the love of my life.”

The words pierce like knives.

Every memory — every kiss, every late-night conversation, every promise he made — turns to ash. She had believed in him completely, trusted him with her heart. And all along, he’d been sharing that same intimacy with her twin sister.

Meadow stares at Juniper, still unable to process it. The last time she saw her twin was two years ago. They’d grown apart after Juniper’s endless trail of lies and manipulation had driven a wedge between them. Juniper had always been the beautiful, daring, chaotic one — the one who got what she wanted, no matter who she hurt. But never, not in her darkest thoughts, had Meadow imagined she would do this.

Juniper laughs again, the sound sharp and cruel. “She’s in shock, baby. Maybe we should help her out of her misery,” she says mockingly, then pulls Tyler into another kiss right in front of her.

That’s when Meadow realizes this isn’t a mistake. This isn’t a sudden betrayal. It’s a plan.

Her sister had known exactly what she was doing. She had tracked Meadow down, learned about the wedding, and swooped in like a vulture to destroy what little happiness she had built. The matching outfit, the fake check-in — all of it was deliberate.

The pain turns into rage. Her tears blur her sight, her breath coming out in shaky bursts. Every muscle in her body screams at her to turn around, to run far away from the two people who’ve just ripped her soul apart.

But she doesn’t move.

She stands there, trembling, her heart breaking piece by piece as she watches her sister smirk and her fiancé — her almost-husband — stand there unashamed, not even offering a shred of remorse.

Tyler and Juniper exchange a look, and she realizes — they’re enjoying this. They want her to see. To suffer.

Meadow’s hands ball into fists. She feels like she’s watching her life crumble in real time, and there’s nothing she can do but breathe through the ache and pray she doesn’t collapse.

Every part of her screams that this is the moment she loses everything — her trust, her love, her family.

And yet, deep inside, a spark ignites — not of despair, but of something darker. A promise that this won’t be the end of her story.

Because betrayal that deep doesn’t fade. It carves itself into your bones. And Meadow Russell — heartbroken, humiliated, and hollow — walks out of that hotel room knowing one thing for certain.

She will never forgive them.

And one day, they will both pay for what they’ve done.

 

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