Broken

(Fiona’s POV)

The night eventually grew quiet as I slouched in my bed, and my body slowly released itself from the tension. I slide my palms across my face, heaving out a sigh. I dragged my hand across my bed, reaching for my phone only to see lots of missed calls. Dad had called me.

My heart skipped a beat as thoughts rushed through my head.

“Oh my god, could Marian possibly have called my parents? Fuck!”

In one swift motion, I swiped over to my phone to check my messages and saw that he had dropped a message.

“Marian called earlier to inform us you're doing okay, this is rather unusual but we only wanted to check up on you. Don't disgrace us over there—see you soon.”

As much as I wasn't expecting that at all—relief ran through my soul like a flowing river.

But barely thirty minutes after, that peace I had was disrupted, something suddenly hit the hallway floor with a loud thud. I flinched.

Then another and my stomach clenched.

I rushed to my door, peeking through the small keyhole. Marian’s face was bitter as she was shoving items out of the bedroom—a pillow, and Jalen’s blanket. They landed in a pile near the parlor. Then her voice echoed.

“You’re not sleeping in here tonight, you motherfucking scumbag!” she yelled through the door. “Sleep outside and enjoy your little fucking princess!”

And BAM! She shut the door.

My heart dropped. I knew this was trouble but I couldn't help but worry over Jalen. I'm the reason for all of this. I blamed myself, I blamed what his love had done to me. I wanted to go out and stay with him, but he still had the keys to my room.

Jalen said nothing. The silence behind the door felt heavy—as if he was too exhausted to fight.

I returned to my bed, pulling my knees to my chest. It was a strange feeling, watching them fight because of me. Part of me felt guilty. Another part felt… protected and seen.

Hours passed—I couldn't sleep. My phone became my best friend as I rolled over the bed countless times. It seemed peaceful until I started to hear a soft tapping. At first, I thought it was my imagination, then I heard her voice.

“Jalen.”

Her tone was low, and gentle—almost apologetic, but it was completely different from the raging woman earlier.

“Jalen, I’m sorry.”

I froze, my ears glued to the door as my life depended on it.

Her voice trembled as though she was crying.

“I won’t throw tantrums again. I promise. I just… I just love you, okay? I don’t want to lose you to a silly girl who is just building her life, please.” She sniffed.

“Look at me, I’ve been crying—is it so wrong to miss my man so much? I just can’t help but be jealous.”

Jalen groaned without a response and she continued.

“Please baby come inside with me. I promise I’ll make it up to you,” she pleaded.

Soon, I heard the door unlock and my chest tightened.

Suddenly, it was quiet again. I was glad he got to sleep on his bed again. But my happiness soon disappeared when I heard Marian’s voice

It was like she was closer to my doorstep. I lean a bit closer to the door, pressing my ear against it harder.

Then I heard the sound I despised—their mouths clicked multiple times and I could tell she was kissing him.

The rhythm and the wet sound of it almost drove me insane. And the hum in her throat, she probably was all over him. And he wasn’t pushing her away?

My stomach twisted painfully.

No.

No, no, no.

This wasn’t happening. I struggled to keep my hands to myself, holding back from banging the door so hard as the sound kept getting closer. I pressed my hands over my ears, but it didn’t help. Her voice grew louder, softer, desperate, and seductive.

And then…

“Oh Jalen…” she moaned. And I knew it was deliberate. That fucking witch! She was trying so hard to make my life miserable. My heart shattered at the sound of her moan, tears pickled down my cheek—I couldn't help it.

I felt dizzy with jealousy and rage. My chest constricted like someone was squeezing my lungs close. I was forced to hear everything as her moan grew louder like she was about to cum.

Her moans filled the hallway, seeping through the thin walls and stabbing into me like knives.

I crashed on my bed and squeezed my pillow over my head tightly—I wanted that sound gone for good, and tears streamed down my cheeks.

Why did it hurt this much?

Why did it feel like betrayal?

Why did I feel like I was losing something that was never truly mine? Thoughts kept breezing into my head.

The house shook lightly with their movements and I could tell it was a rough one, Jalen must have been enjoying his night.

“What was I thinking? They are married anyway,” I murmured, hoping that would calm me but it hurt even more.

A sob escaped from my lips, one I couldn't resist.

I cried until my eyes burned and my body felt numb. Until I fell into a deep sleep with my tears still drying on my cheeks.

⸻

The morning sunlight peeking through the net curtains woke me before my alarm did. My throat burned as I dragged myself out of bed. I moved slowly, feeling like I had lived through a nightmare, my body pounding as I approached the bathroom. But the sound of a key turning snapped my gaze to the door.

“Fiona?” his voice called gently as he pushed the door open slowly.

I panicked and hurried into the bathroom before he could step in. Turning on the warm water and its steam slowly covered the glass. I stepped under the shower, letting it wash away the remnants of last night. But the shower glass was barely unclear. A silhouette of me could still be seen from outside. But I didn't care, I needed him to see what he left for an old wrinkled body.

I sensed him before I heard him again, his footsteps paused.

I looked through the fogged glass—and there he stood. Eyes lingering on my body through the mist. His breath hitched, and his Adam’s apple rose and fell sharply.

He ran his fingers through his messy hair like he was frustrated before dragging his gaze away with effort and clearing his throat.

“I’ll… wait outside,” he muttered, voice rough—he stormed out. I felt a bit of disgust watching him leave, my heartbeat hammered so loudly I felt it in my fingertips.

I took my time dressing up, calming myself before leaving the room.

⸻

When I entered the dining area, Marian was already seated and dressed in Jalen’s shirt. She wore her usual fake elegance—hair perfect, lips glossy, and her expression cold and calculating. Jalen sat beside her, looking tired but composed.

“Good morning,” I said politely.

Marian flashed a small, victorious smile at me. “Morning,” she answered casually and slid her hand up Jalen’s arm possessively.

I ignored it and sat down, focusing on my food. My chest still hurt, but I refused to show it. I refused to acknowledge anything that happened last night.

Jalen watched me silently. His gaze lingered every time I refused to look back. I could feel his eyes following every small movement I made.

A faint smile tugged up Marian’s face as she leaned closer to him, touching him unnecessarily, and asking small flirtatious questions, she brushed her fingers over his sleeve as if marking territory. But I kept my face blank.

It was getting unbearable so I pushed my chair backward and left the table before she broke a vase on her forehead.

Marian smirked, thinking she had won. But Jalen’s eyes followed me as I walked away even though I wished he didn't.

After a few minutes, the front door shut, and I could tell Marian was out of the house already. I expected him to show up any moment and he did, He came straight into my room without knocking.

“Fiona,” he began firmly.

I stood by my bed, trying to keep my breathing steady as he stepped closer to me. “You barely spoke to me, are you feeling alright?” he asked, his voice slightly trembling.

I swallowed, keeping my eyes fixed on my clothes lying on my bed.

“I was tired,” I whispered.

“That’s not the reason,” he responded quickly.

I froze.

He exhaled, his voice softening. “Talk to me.”

And hell yeah I planned to do a lot of the talking—I wouldn't care how it hurt him because he left in a pool of stinging pain last night. I turned to him slowly—and the moment our eyes met, everything I held inside erupted.

The tears I fought all night spilled over before I could stop them.

Jalen’s face fell. “Fiona…”

“You—” my voice cracked. “I heard everything.”

His eyes widened with guilt.

The words finally burst out of me like water through a broken dam.

“Her voice was so loud, Jalen. I couldn’t sleep. I kept hearing her… hearing you both. And I was locked inside this damn room. I was—”

My voice broke. “I felt like I was going crazy.”

He stepped forward instinctively, reaching for me.

“Fiona, listen—”

“No! Don't you dare touch me” I sobbed. “It hurt. It hurt so much I thought my chest would break. I felt stupid and jealous and angry and…and—”

I pressed my palms to my face. “—and I hated it, I hated you!”

He pulled my hands away gently, cupping my face.

“It's complicated princess, I had to do it, I did it to stop her,” he said quietly. “She was out of control last night. She was going to tell your parents. The only way to calm her was to give her what she wanted.”

“That isn’t fair, I thought you never loved her, I thought you wanted me,” I whispered.

“I know, and yes I want you princess,” he twisted in a frown, filled with worry as his thumb brushed my cheek. “And I’m sorry. I swear I didn’t want to hurt you.”

His sincerity melted something inside me.

Slowly, but painfully.

Before I fully understood it, he leaned in and kissed me.

“Please,” he whispered between my lips before gripping it again. Then deeper and desperate—like he was trying to apologize with his lips. His hands clutched my dress tightly, pulling me closer into his embrace. Our breaths tangled as I kissed him back.

I didn't want it, I wanted to pull away but my body betrayed me. Eventually, I peeled off him, pushing him away from me as we both panted softly.

“I wanna be alone,”

“Fiona,” he murmured, his eyes fell as he stared at me before parting his lips. “There’s something I want to show you.”

My breath stalled.

“You asked what was in the locked room,” he continued quietly. “Do you want to see what’s inside?”

My heart thumped hard, and I hesitated before answering.

“Yes,” I whispered.

He took my hand, guiding me toward the hallway.

We stood across from the door—the same one I saw him walk in with Marian last night.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the keys. But just as the key touched the lock—The front doorbell rang.

Jalen stiffened.