Fallen 2

Fallen 2 Summary

Meadow is devastated as she confronts the cruel truth that her love, Tyler, was never sincere. Juniper, her sister, reveals that she manipulated both Meadow and Tyler, using Meadow as a pawn in a cruel game. Tyler confirms that he never truly loved Meadow and that Juni had fed him false information about her, making it easier for him to pretend to be the “good guy.” Meadow is heartbroken and overwhelmed by the betrayal, especially as Juniper takes pleasure in her suffering.

 

Juniper mocks Meadow’s pain and even expresses disappointment that Tyler never physically betrayed Meadow, suggesting it would have made her downfall even sweeter. Meadow desperately seeks reassurance from Tyler, but he remains loyal to Juniper, leaving Meadow feeling powerless and shattered. Watching them together, Meadow feels utterly helpless and leaves the room in tears.

 

Later, Meadow drowns her sorrows at a club, drinking heavily to numb the pain of her broken heart and the betrayal she endured. She reflects bitterly on how she should be celebrating her marriage but instead is haunted by the memory of her sister with Tyler. As she drinks, she senses someone watching her and learns from the bartender that the mysterious man is Alaric Ashford, a powerful and elusive bachelor. The man’s intense gaze unsettles Meadow, hinting at a new, significant presence entering her life.

CHAPTER 0002

Meadow’s Perspective

The thought echoed relentlessly in my mind: *Juni is the love of my life.*

Juni.

Is.

The.

Love.

Of.

My.

Life.

Then, shattering that fragile belief, came the cruel words: “You thought I loved you?”

I gasped, struggling to find air. My mouth parted, but no sound emerged. My mind reeled, unable to process the venom I’d just heard.

A sharp pain flared in my chest as Tyler abruptly released his grip from my jaw.

“Why?” My voice barely rose above a whisper, fragile and childlike. “Why would you do this to me?”

Juniper’s laugh was light, almost playful, as she sauntered toward me—completely bare and utterly unashamed. “Oh, sis, you still don’t get it?” She tilted her head, her eyes gleaming with cruel delight. “You were nothing more than a pawn on my chessboard. By the way, long time no see.”

I flared my nostrils, anger and hurt mingling. “You were supposed to stay out of my life.”

“For the most part, I did.” She clicked her tongue mockingly. “But then I realized—you don’t deserve happiness. And that’s when my precious boyfriend came into the picture.”

Her hand cupped Tyler’s cheek as she smirked, triumphant.

“That’s not true!” I pleaded, turning to Tyler, desperation thick in my voice. “Please, tell me it’s not true. Tell me you weren’t playing me.” I swallowed hard, trying to steady my breath.

Tyler’s jaw tightened, but then a dark smirk curled his lips. “It’s true, Meadow. You really thought I never wanted to be with you because you wanted to wait until marriage?” His eyes glinted with something cold and cruel.

Juniper sneered, “You think Tyler just stumbled upon you? Fell in love with your boring, virgin self?”

Tyler moved to the edge of the bed, arms crossed, a wicked grin tugging at his mouth. “Juni filled me in on everything about you before I even met you—your habits, your fears, your taste in men. I got so tired of pretending to be ‘the good guy.’ Honestly, it made things easier.”

I stumbled backward, every part of me aching—my head pounding, my chest heavy, my heart shattered.

“You… planned this? From the very start?”

Juniper’s smile widened, cruel and victorious. “Of course.”

“Why?” I choked out, tears stinging my eyes. “Why would you do this to me?”

Her voice was venomous, low and bitter. “Because watching you break is the only thing that makes me feel whole.”

I collapsed onto my knees, unable to hold myself up, sobbing uncontrollably. “I loved you… I loved him.”

Juniper crouched beside me, brushing my hair back with a false tenderness that broke something deep inside me. It was almost unbearable that someone who looked just like me could be so merciless.

But she had been nothing but a tormentor since the day we were born.

“I know,” she whispered, leaning close enough for me to catch the intoxicating mixture of sex and sweat on her skin. “That’s what makes this so deliciously satisfying.”

Then she pulled away, letting out a sharp, mocking laugh. “Honestly? I’m disappointed he never actually slept with you. It would’ve been so much sweeter, knowing you gave him everything—and it still wasn’t enough.”

I forced myself to stand, moving shakily toward Tyler. “Tyler? Please… tell me what we had was real. Tell Juniper she’s wrong.”

But even as tears blurred my vision, I knew he was beyond reach.

He winced, turning toward Juniper. “This is fucked up—having you two here. It’s like looking at the same person. Except…” He reached out to her, “I’m only in love with one of you.”

They kissed again, and I found myself retreating, powerless. Juniper glanced back at me one final time. “Do you mind? We kind of need to finish what we started. I’m horny as hell.” She tilted her head, smirking. “You’re welcome to watch.”

I stood frozen, watching them kiss, wishing there was something—anything—I could do. Some move to fight back.

But there was nothing.

All I could do was wipe away the burning tears and swallow the bitter taste of helplessness before storming out of the room.

•••••*•••••*•••••

“Again.”

Without hesitation, the bartender poured me another round of shots. I downed it immediately, feeling the familiar burn trail down my throat, numbing the ache inside me.

I wasn’t sure how long I’d been here. After leaving the hotel—without my belongings, mind you—I’d wandered aimlessly through dimly lit streets, eventually stepping into the first club I found.

I scoffed bitterly.

I should have been celebrating—drinking and dancing with my new husband. Instead, here I was, drowning out the haunting memory of my sister moaning his name.

I was drinking to erase the fact that I’d been nothing but a fool. That I had let my feelings for Tyler blind me to his true nature.

Another shot burned its way down, the pounding music vibrating through my entire body, making me shiver.

Wait—

No.

The shiver wasn’t caused by the music.

I was being watched.

I could feel a gaze burning into me from behind, the hairs at the nape of my neck standing on end.

I didn’t turn around.

“Wonder what you did to deserve that,” the bartender said without looking up, wiping a glass with a napkin.

“What was that?” I asked, tilting my head, unsure if he was speaking to me.

He smirked, nodding toward something behind me. “You’ve got the country’s most elusive, most untouchable bachelor staring at you right now.” His voice grew louder over the music. “I’m just wondering what he sees in you.”

Despite the deafening beat, I could hear my heart pounding fiercely in my ears.

I hesitated, holding my breath.

Then, slowly, I turned toward where the bartender had indicated.

The first thing that caught my eye was the watch.

I couldn’t make out the brand from where I sat, but the black diamonds sparkling under the club’s strobe lights left no doubt—it was expensive, exclusive.

The watch was attached to a large, tattooed hand, the ink disappearing beneath the cuff of a sleek black suit.

That was all I could see.

The rest of him was swallowed by shadows, leaning casually against the railing as if he owned the world.

Though his face was hidden, I could sense his eyes locked on me—not casually, not with mere curiosity.

This was something deeper.

A magnetic pull tugged at me, urging me to approach, to demand why he was staring.

But my body refused to obey.

My pulse quickened.

I glanced back at the bartender, voice barely a whisper. “Who is that?”

His smile tightened. “That’s Alaric Ashford.”

A cold knot twisted in my stomach.

I knew that name.

The bartender tilted his head, eyes gleaming with knowing amusement. “Looks like he’s found his new target.”