Fallen 160

Posted by Sara Lili, ? Views, Released on November 4, 2025

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CHAPTER 0160

Meadow’s POV:

That had to be what that was.

An excuse.

A dumb, far–stretched one, but an excuse nonetheless.

Because there was no way… no damn way Alaric was serious about this.

“Meadow,” he said, voice softening. “I’m not making excuses. I’m not scared of loving you either, I’m just… aware… and fucking terrified that you’d hate me.”

I stared at him, still waiting for him to tell me that he was just joking. But the expression on his face told me everything that I needed to know.

“Alaric…” I breathed, for lack of words. “What’re you…”

His jaw ticked, and he let out a bitter laugh, running a hand through his hair. “Just listen to me, Meadow, okay? Please. That’s all I need from you right now.” He shook his head solemnly. “Can you do that for me, baby?”

My heart felt heavy, but I nodded, reaching for the counter to steady myself.

And then, Alaric told me everything.

Everything. From beig a little boy and watching his father’s empire crumble, to shooting his father and hiding it perfectly for seven years at the cost of his sense of touch, to finding out that my father was behind his father’s empire coming to nothing, and then wanting his revenge and framing Clint Russell.

Not caring that he had a family.

–

Not caring that Clint had two little daughters even though Alaric had no idea at the time–how I was being treated in that household.

Not caring that what he’d done had set another chain of reactions–my mother killing herself, my sister hating me more and more and just… my life becoming more miserable.

And when he was done talking, he let out a sharp breath, leaning forward, elbows resting on top of the counter as his head fell between his shoulder blades.

My chest was tight, breathing shallow, brows pulled together as I tried to put it all together.

“Say something.” His voice was so calm, so soft, so…

Guilty. “Please, Meadow.”

I swallowed hard. Or tried to. The rock that had settled in my throat refused to move. “What do you…” My voice cracked. “What do you want me to say?”

Alaric didn’t look up. “Anything. Just-”

1/4

CHAPTER 0160

+25 BONUS

“This is what you’ve been holding back from me this entire time?” I cut in as my fingers dug into the edge of the

counter.

He looked up then, slowly dragging his gaze up to meet mine. “Meadow—”

“Is that it?” I bit out frustratedly as my nostrils flared. “Is that the entire truth? Is that everything you’ve been holding back from me?”

His jaw clenched and his gaze hardened. “Yes.”

I looked away from him, nodding. A chill ran down my spine and I wondered if it was from the cold marble floor beneath my bare feet or… something else.

My lips parted. “So what?” I whispered. “Do you love me now?”

I had no idea why that was the only question at the tip of my tongue, but once it was out, I couldn’t take it back.

Alaric was silent, so I turned to glance at him again, and his brows were furrowed in confusion.

“Meadow, I just told you that I framed your father and… that’s what you want to know?”

My nostrils flared as a hot feeling threatened to burst out of my chest. “Answer me, Alaric,” I gritted out, stepping around the counter to where he stood. “Well? Can you feel anything now?” My gaze shifted to the counter. “Can you feel the counter now you’re resting against it?”

He stood to his full height, running a hand through his hair. “Meadow-”

“Did you feel that? Did you feel your hair just now?”

I was nearly hysterical, but I couldn’t help it.

What else was I supposed to say? What else was I supposed to do?

Alaric didn’t respond, his jaw remained clenched, eyes filled with worry focused on me.

“Well?” I choked out as my vision blurred.

His eyes fell shut in defeat and he shook his head. “It doesn’t work like that, baby-”

“Then how does it work?!”

“I don’t fucking know!” he fired back. Alaric took a step toward me, and I didn’t want him to touch me, but I couldn’t move from where I was standing. Slowly, his hand reached out to cup my jaw. “I don’t know how this works, Meadow. I’ve been like this for so long that I don’t even remember what it’s like to feel things.” He heaved a sigh. “I felt Nolan’s touch the other day. And then I felt my mother’s. I felt…” His throat bobbed as he swallowed. “I felt the desk when you were bending over it that day and that’s why I… Fuck, baby, you have no idea how fucking sorry I am about everything.”

My eyes were wide, my vision still blurry as I struggled to keep my eyes on him. “That was why you went soft inside me?” I whispered, my lips trembling. “And not because… not because I told you I loved you?”

A full minute passed where he just stared at me, hand still on my chin, forcing me to keep my eyes on him. His

2/4

CHAPTER 0160

+25 BONUS

lips parted, chest rising and falling because of how hard he was breathing.

And then softly, he said: “No, baby. That isn’t the reason. I didn’t go soft because you told me you love me.” Something cracked in his voice and I felt it deep in my chest.

“I didn’t mean for it to happen, but it did, because I realized what you said to me,” he continued. “Because I realized that you meant it. That you…” he trailed off, his hand leaving my chin as he ran it down his face. “You meant every single word, and all I could think about was how much I’ve taken from you, how much I’ve broken, how much of your life I already destroyed before you ever had the chance to live it.”

I choked out a sob. “Alaric-”

“I love you, Meadow.”

A tear slid down my cheek, a shiver racking my body.

He said it. He… finally said it. He loved me.

He.

Loved.

Me.

Alaric stepped even closer this time, and my breath hitched when his hand came around my waist. His voice was steady and low as he continued. “I love you in a way that terrifies me. I love you so much that I would… I’d rather you hate me for the rest of your life than keep lying to you just to keep you by my side.” His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. “Mavbe you’re right. Maybe I am scared of loving you. Because every single time I look at you, I see everything Ir d. And somehow…” his voice cracked again and something twisted in my chest when his eyes became wet. omehow, I still want to be the one to put you back together.”

I couldn’t breathe.

Couldn’t. Fucking. Breathe.

“But

w do you expect me to do so if you keep acting like you don’t even care about what I just told you?” he asked, his warm breath fanning my face as he spoke. I inhaled sharply, letting my eyes fall shut. “I framed your father, Meadow. I put him in jail for something he didn’t do. How can you—

})

“If there’s anyone I feel sorry for, it’s you, Alaric,” I whispered, reaching my hand out to cup his jaw. I ran my hand over the dark stubble on his cheeks. He hadn’t shaved in days. I could tell. “You were only a child. You were … you only wanted to protect your family. Alaric, your brain shut down on you because you couldn’t handle the truth–that you shot your own father.” His forehead fell against mine, grip tightening around my waist.

“Baby-”

“You want me to hate you, but I don’t,” I cut in. “I can’t. Instead, I hate myself. I hate myself because I am completely okay with this.” My throat tightened. “I hate myself because I don’t care that my father’s in prison, and that I don’t ever want him to get out.”

3/4

Sara Lili

Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.

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Fallen

Score 9.9

Status: Ongoing Type: Alpha 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.