Fallen 18

Fallen 18 Summary

Meadow wakes up in a hospital, overwhelmed by intense pain and confusion. As her memories return, she recalls the violent attack by her sister Juniper and the near assault by her ex-fiancé. Before the situation worsened, Alaric intervened, saving her. Despite hoping to see him, it is her close friend Nova who is by her side, visibly exhausted and emotional. Nova’s presence brings a mix of relief and tension as she clings to Meadow, expressing her deep concern and frustration.

 

The conversation between Meadow and Nova reveals the complicated and painful events of the past weekend. Meadow has been through a traumatic experience involving Juniper, Tyler’s betrayal, and a sudden marriage to Alaric, a billionaire. Nova is angry and hurt that Meadow kept so much from her, especially about the marriage and the chaos surrounding it. She demands answers and wants to understand how Meadow ended up in this situation, showing a fierce protective instinct for her friend.

 

As Meadow recounts the story, she omits certain personal feelings but shares the key facts, including the marriage and the contract she signed with Alaric. Nova struggles to process the whirlwind of events, especially the idea of Alaric proposing to marry Meadow seemingly to spite her cheating ex. Despite her anger and confusion, Nova is relieved that Alaric is not the cause of Meadow’s injuries and grows concerned about Juniper, who remains at large.

 

The chapter ends with a tense moment when both women hear a familiar voice—Alaric’s—arriving in the room. His presence signals a turning point, as he is both Meadow’s protector and husband, ready to confront the ongoing conflict surrounding her. The scene captures the complex emotions of fear, anger, loyalty, and the fragile hope for safety amid the turmoil.

CHAPTER 0018

Meadow’s Perspective:

The first sensation that overwhelmed me was sharp, relentless pain. It began at the base of my skull and crept upward, spreading across the sides of my head and settling heavily on my forehead. Every movement sent fresh waves of discomfort coursing through me.

Slowly, I forced my eyelids open, my vision blurred and my mind foggy as I tried to adjust to the sterile, pale white lights illuminating the room. The unmistakable scent of antiseptic instantly registered in my nostrils, confirming where I was.

I was in a hospital.

The memories flooded back—the brutal attack by my own sister, Juniper, the terrifying moment when my ex-fiancé nearly assaulted me. But before things could spiral further, someone had intervened, bursting through the doors and stopping the nightmare.

Alaric.

My heart began to race involuntarily, and I shifted slightly in the bed, wincing as sharp pain flared through my head and thighs. Then, unexpectedly, a voice reached my ears—not the one I’d hoped to hear, but one that was painfully familiar.

“Meadow?”

I turned my head with effort, and there she was.

Nova, my closest friend, sitting quietly in a chair beside my bed. Her usually vibrant blond curls were tousled and messy, her eyeliner smudged as if she hadn’t slept in days, and her hands trembled nervously as she reached out to grasp mine.

How had she found me here? Had I somehow contacted her without realizing it?

“Nova?” My voice cracked, weak and uncertain. “What are you doing here? And why do you look like you haven’t slept in forever?”

She didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she suddenly threw herself toward me, wrapping her arms tightly around my frail body in a hug that made me wince from the pressure.

“Oh my god, I’m so relieved you’re alive,” she sobbed, her voice thick with emotion.

“I’m glad too,” I managed to say, struggling to breathe under her weight. “You can let go now. You’re literally crushing me.”

A wet, shaky laugh escaped her as she gently pulled away. “Sorry,” she whispered.

Then, I really looked at her. Nova and I had been inseparable since high school, our bond only growing stronger through most of college—until I had to leave. The reasons? Well, Juniper was a big part of that.

Nova had always stood up for me whenever she could, except when circumstances were beyond her control—like what had happened last night.

I hesitated, then asked, “How long have I been here?”

She gave a flat reply, “A week.”

My blood ran cold. I jerked upright despite the searing pain in my head. “What?”

Then Nova’s face broke into a smirk. “Just kidding. It’s only been a few hours. You had a concussion and passed out.”

I swallowed hard. Nova pulled her chair closer and sat down, leaning forward with brows furrowed—not just worried, but angry. I recognized that familiar fire in her eyes.

I looked away, uneasy. “How did you know I was here?”

“Nope,” Nova snapped, shaking her head firmly. “You’re not asking questions here—I am. And trust me, you owe me a hell of an explanation, Meadow. But first, how are you feeling?”

I sank back into the hospital bed with a heavy sigh. “Not great. My head’s pounding, and I’m pretty sure Juniper pulled out some of my hair.”

Nova’s nostrils flared, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears, but she blinked rapidly to hold them back. “I’m so pissed off at you right now, you have no idea.” She ran a hand through her disheveled hair. “Why didn’t you tell me she was back?”

“It’s been a crazy weekend, Nova. I can’t… I wanted to tell you, but I didn’t know where to begin—”

“Maybe you should’ve started with the fact that you got married,” she interrupted sharply. My breath caught, but she pressed on. “Or that Tyler cheated with Juniper.”

“You know about Alaric,” I breathed out.

“Duh.” Nova rolled her eyes. “Who do you think called me and told me you were in the hospital? I’ve been worried sick, Meadow. I tried reaching you for three days straight, barely sleeping, and you were busy marrying some billionaire? I thought something terrible had happened!”

I closed my eyes. “Nov—”

“And then you come back,” she said, voice breaking, clearing her throat quickly afterward. Nova was easily overwhelmed emotionally. “You move into his house, don’t call me about Tyler and Juniper, and you go to that apartment. Alone. Seriously, fuck!”

She jumped to her feet, turning her back to me.

“I was going to tell you, I swear. There just wasn’t enough time.”

“Well, I’m here now!” She spun around, eyes blazing. “So spill everything. I want every detail of what happened this weekend and how you ended up with that massive rock on your finger.”

“Okay.” I exhaled shakily, the ache in my chest deepening as she settled back into her chair and took my hands in hers, silently urging me to begin.

So, I told her. Everything.

Well, almost everything. I left out the part about craving intimacy so badly that I’d begged him to take my virginity—that was one of the reasons I agreed to marry him. The only reason, really.

Until last night shattered everything.

I kept my voice low and steady, afraid that any slip of emotion would cause me to crumble again. Nova listened intently, eyes wide, face pale. She barely blinked when I mentioned the contract, and again when I admitted I hadn’t truly planned to sign it—though now I wasn’t so sure.

When I finished, she was silent for two long, torturous minutes.

Finally, she spoke softly, her tone quiet but dangerous. A furious Nova was not someone to mess with. “So, let me get this straight. You ran off to Las Vegas to marry that bastard, caught him cheating with Juniper, met some stranger—the same guy who called me—and now you’re wearing his ring and living in his house?”

I nodded.

Nova’s nostrils flared. “Meadow. What the actual fuck.”

A strangled, awkward laugh escaped me. “Yeah. That about sums it up.”

She looked like her brain was overheating, rubbing her temples as if trying to reboot herself.

“And this Alaric guy… he just proposed? Like, ‘Hey, wanna marry me so I can ruin your cheating ex for you?’”

I swallowed. “Pretty much.”

“And he’s… sane?”

“Did he look insane to you?” I arched a brow.

Nova shrugged. “I don’t know. I haven’t met him. I only got a call saying you were in the hospital and a brief explanation.” She sighed. “But when I got here, I didn’t see him. All I had was his name, and I’ve been googling him ever since. The guy’s a billionaire, Meadow.”

Her eyes sparkled with disbelief as she shook her head.

“I know,” I muttered.

Nova ran her hand through her hair again. “God, I can’t handle this. But at least he’s not the reason you’re here. Where the hell is Juniper?” Her mouth twisted into a scowl.

I stiffened.

“I swear to God,” she muttered, standing up. “If I find her first—”

“Nova, don’t,” I said quickly, desperation creeping into my voice. “Seriously. Just let it go.”

Those words felt like burning embers on my tongue, and I wasn’t the only one who felt the weight of them.

Nova spun around sharply. “Let it go? Meadow, she tried to fucking kill you. And Tyler? He—he tried to—” Her voice broke, and she bit her lip hard. “They can’t just walk away from this. They can’t—”

“Who says they’re walking free?”

Both of us froze, our heads snapping toward the source of that voice. That deep, velvety voice.

My savior.

My husband.