Shattered illusion

Fiona’s POV

I slowly turned, my eyes met Austin glaring at me. He stood there, His eyes flashed with intense rage, I could feel the intensity in the way he held the door knob. I sighed. He had clearly witnessed everything.

“Austin, i…” My voice came out broken.

He raised his index finger to pause me from talking. He didn't say a word at first. He just stared at me like I had slapped him across the face. The pain in his expression cut deeper than I expected.

“Austin…”

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, stepping away from Jalen. “I didn’t mean for you to see that. I’m so sorry.”

Austin let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. “You disappeared from London without a word because your mother died. I dropped everything and flew here to be with you. I held you while you cried. I comforted you last night… and this is what I get?”

Tears stung my eyes. “Austin, please—”

“Don’t.” He raised his hand, stopping me. “I should’ve known better.”

He turned and walked back into the house. I followed him, heart hammering, but he was already heading upstairs. Within minutes, he came back down with his bag packed.

“Austin, wait. Let me explain—”

But he didn’t stop. He walked straight toward the front door.

Just as he was about to step out, my father appeared from the hallway.

“Austin? What’s going on, son? Why are you leaving so suddenly?”

Austin paused, gripping the handle of his bag tightly. “I’m sorry, Mr. Harry. Something urgent came up. Thank you for your hospitality. I really appreciate it.”

Dad looked confused. “But—”

Austin didn’t wait. He walked out.

Dad followed him outside. That was when he saw Jalen standing near the gate.

The moment my father’s eyes landed on Jalen, his entire expression changed. Shock turned into pure rage.

“Jalen?” Dad’s voice boomed. “What the hell are you doing at my house?”

He didn’t wait for an answer. He stormed back inside, ignoring both Jalen and me as we tried to call after him.

“Dad, please listen—”

“Harry, hold on please—”

Dad grabbed his phone, dialed a number. I already knew who he was calling.

“Marian, listen I never thought there would be a day i would ever put a call through to you again but” he said sharply the moment she picked up. “Come and get your husband out of my house before I do something I’ll regret.”

He hung up without waiting for a reply.

Jalen looked at me, pain etched across his face. He stepped closer and spoke softly. “I’ll call you later, bunny. I promise.”

Then he turned and left, I raised my hand slightly like I was going to grab him back to me but the silence that followed was deafening.

---

Later that evening, I couldn’t get Jalen out of my head.

No matter how hard I tried to push him away, I realized how much I missed him so much, his hug, his kiss, the way he said my name — it all kept replaying. I felt guilty about Austin, but my heart refused to listen to reason.

I tried calling Austin multiple times, but every call bounced. He probably had blocked me.

I was still staring at my phone when it rang.

Jalen.

I answered immediately.

“Fiona,” his deep voice sent shivers down my spine. God, I miss hearing him call my name like that. “Meet me at the address I just sent you.”

I opened the message. It was a popular upscale club in the city — known for its private VIP lounges.

“Okay,” I whispered. “I’ll be there.”

I didn’t think twice before bolting into the bathroom to get dressed. I needed this. I needed him.

I took my time getting ready. I wanted him to see me and have no choice but to devour me on the spot. I wanted to distract him, to help him remember everything we once shared.

I chose a short, tight black dress that hugged my curve, with a deep plunging neckline and a back that was practically nonexistent. I did my makeup bold — smoky eyes and red lips. I slipped on heels that made my legs look endless and sprayed on my most seductive perfume.

I snuck out through the back door while Dad was in his room. My heart raced the entire taxi ride to the club.

When I arrived, a hostess led me straight to the exclusive VIP lounge on the upper floor. The moment the door opened, our eyes locked.

Jalen was already there.

The second we saw each other, something snapped. We both moved at the same time.

He crossed the room in long strides and pulled me into his arms. Our lips crashed together in a hungry, desperate kiss. All the pain, the separation, the grief — it poured out between us. His hands gripped my waist tightly, pulling me flush against his body as his tongue claimed mine.

We kissed like we were starving. Like we were hungry animals.

When he finally pulled apart, both of us were panting.

“I missed you,” Jalen murmured against my lips, his forehead pressed to mine. “So damn much, bunny. Trust me I tried, I tried so hard to forget about you, to forget everything we had, but I couldn't.”

Those words broke something inside me.

Tears welled up instantly. I tried to hold them back, but they spilled over anyway. I started crying softly in his arms.

Jalen held me tighter, one hand stroking my hair while the other rubbed my back.

“I’m here,” he whispered. “I’ve got you.”

I cried harder, burying my face in his neck. All the emotions I’d been suppressing —came rushing out.

Jalen didn’t rush me. He just held me, kissing the top of my head, murmuring soft words until my sobs slowly quieted down.

He tilted my chin up and wiped my tears with his thumbs.

“You look breathtaking tonight,” he said, voice low and husky as his eyes roamed over my body. “This dress… fuck, Fiona. You’re trying to kill me.”

A small, watery smile broke through my tears.

He leaned in and kissed me again — slower this time, softer. His hands slid down my back, gripping my ass possessively as he pulled me even closer.

The music from the club pulsed around us, but in this private lounge, it felt like we were the only two people in the world.

Jalen pulled back just enough to look into my eyes.

“I don’t care what happens anymore,” he said fiercely. “I can’t stay away from you. Not after everything.”

I didn’t reply with words.

I just kissed him again.

Harder.

Deeper.

Letting myself drown in him completely, moaning desperately into his mouth.