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and if this deal went through, it could further cement his reputation in elite circles. This was exactly the kind of opportunity he needed. Or so he thought.

The moment Chris opened the door, Jalen saw the brief flicker of surprise cross the man's face. Jalen had seen that reaction before. It was subtle, but obvious. Chris recovered quickly, though, flashing his usual politician's smile and extending a hand.

"Jalen Moss, right? Come in."

Jalen nodded, shaking his hand, keeping his expression neutral. "Good to meet you, Mr. Westward."

Chris led him through the massive estate, launching into his vision for the wine cellar. Jalen listened, nodding along, already forming ideas in his head about the layout, the materials, the labor costs. He was fully in work mode. Until she walked in...

The moment Megan entered the room, Jalen's stomach clenched. That familiar warmth. That pulling sensation. That unshakable feeling that he already knew her.

Chris barely spared his wife a glance. "This is my wife, Megan."

Oh, no.

Jalen immediately went rigid, forcing himself to keep his expression composed. But internally? He panicked. Because this was different. This wasn't Kristen, a woman in a dead engagement, already halfway out the door. Megan was married. And not just to anyone. She was married to his potential client.

"No. No, no, no." Jalen thought.

This couldn't be happening. There was no way he could do this. He had to fight it.

Then, without waiting for any real interaction, Chris immediately continued talking about the wine cellar as if Megan wasn't even standing there.

Jalen forced himself to act normal, nodding politely. "Nice to meet you."

Megan's bright blue eyes met his for the first time, and for a split second, something flickered across her expression. Recognition. Curiosity. Something she couldn't quite place.

But then, just as quickly, she masked it, giving him a polite, unreadable smile. "You too."

Jalen clenched his jaw. This was bad. This was really, really bad. As Chris kept talking, Jalen could barely focus. His mind was spinning. The Beyonder had told him he would know when he saw one of the eight. And he knew. Megan Westward was one of them. But this time, it was impossible. She wasn't just engaged. She was married to a powerful, wealthy, narcissistic lawyer. A man who could destroy his career. A man who could ruin his reputation. There was no way in hell Jalen was going to touch this. Tonight, he would tell the Beyonder that this one was off the table. This was too much. But deep down? A voice inside him whispered something even worse. What if Megan didn't feel the same way? What if she started to feel it too? And what if, despite everything she didn't want to fight it either?

Jalen forced himself to snap back into focus. Chris had just asked for his opinion, and despite spending the last few minutes in an internal panic spiral over Megan, Jalen had enough experience to speak with confidence. He launched into a breakdown of what would work and what wouldn't.

"A space like this has a lot of potential, but you're going to need more than just racks and a cooling system if you really want it to stand out. I'd recommend incorporating custom shelving with built-in LED backlighting to showcase your best bottles. A tasting section with a marble countertop could give it a high-end feel. Maybe even a sliding glass entrance instead of a standard wooden door--it'll give it a modern touch while keeping everything temperature-controlled."

Chris listened, intrigued. Jalen could tell that he had him hooked.

"I like that," Chris said, nodding, running a hand over his chin. "A glass entrance would definitely make it pop. And the marble tasting section? That's a great touch. You know what?" He clapped his hands together. "I don't even need to see any layouts--just send over the contract tonight. I want you to start this week."

Jalen hesitated. For the first time, he didn't immediately jump on an opportunity. His mind flashed to Megan. To the pull he felt the second he saw her. To the gut-wrenching certainty that she was one of the eight. To the danger of being in this house, around this woman, in this situation. But Chris was waiting for an answer. Megan was watching. And Jalen knew that if he didn't take this job, Chris would wonder why.

"Yeah," Jalen finally said, forcing a nod. "I'll send it over tonight."

Chris smirked, slapping him on the back. "Good man. Looking forward to working with you."

Jalen forced a polite smile. "Likewise."

But internally? He was thinking about one thing only, and it wasn't the contract...

***************************************************

The second Jalen shut his apartment door, he dropped his keys onto the counter and shouted,

"Beyonder! Beyonder!! I need you, please! We need to talk!"

His heart was racing. His mind was spinning. This was too much. A fiancée was one thing. But a married woman? A married woman whose husband was now his client? No. Absolutely not. Jalen clenched his fists. "Come on, man, don't do me like this! I know you can hear me!" For a moment, silence. Then...

A bright flash of white light exploded in the middle of the room. A wave of energy pulsed outward, sending vibrations through the air. And just like that, the Beyonder stood before him. Tall. Otherworldly. That same unshakable presence that made Jalen feel like a damn ant in comparison. The Beyonder tilted his head slightly, amused.

"You rang?"

Jalen exhaled sharply, running a hand down his face before looking the Beyonder dead in the eyes. "Bruh. What the hell. Seriously. WHAT THE HELL?!"

The Beyonder blinked, expression unreadable. "You'll have to be more specific."

"Megan, man! Megan freaking Westward! She's married! You didn't think that was something I should've known before walking into that damn mansion today?!"

The Beyonder smirked. "Ah. So you've met the third."

Jalen pointed at him, furious. "Don't do that cryptic shit with me right now! You put me in an impossible situation! That ain't just some random woman! That's my CLIENT'S WIFE!"

The Beyonder sighed, crossing his arms. "And?"

Jalen's jaw dropped. "AND?! AND?! What the hell do you mean and? That's a whole damn MARRIAGE, bro! A legally binding, government-sanctioned, 'till death do us part' type of deal! You really expect me to step into that and pretend like it's just another mission?"

The Beyonder shrugged. "Jalen... you knew this would not be easy. And yet, here you stand, three women into your journey. Surely, you're not naive enough to believe this would be the worst challenge you face?"

Jalen gritted his teeth. "This ain't a 'challenge,' man. It's a setup. I already felt like shit for Kristen, but at least she was already halfway out of the door with her fiancé. But Megan? She's married to a powerful lawyer, who's also my client. And you're telling me I'm supposed to be the one to... what? Impregnate her? What am I supposed to do, Beyonder?"

The Beyonder simply watched him. Unfazed. Unbothered.

Jalen pointed at him, voice sharp. "You're really not gonna budge on this, huh? You're really telling me I have to go through with this?"

The Beyonder let a silence hang between them before he spoke. "You felt it the moment you saw her. You will come to understand why she was chosen in time."

Jalen scowled. "Man, that means nothing to me! You keep talking in circles--just tell me what's going on!"

The Beyonder's eyes gleamed, his tone unwavering. "Your understanding is not required for the path to unfold."

Jalen clenched his jaw, his frustration rising. "Alright, then tell me this--what happens if I say no? What happens if I tell you I won't go near Megan Westward?"

The Beyonder's expression remained neutral, but his words were calm and absolute. "The universe corrects the mistake."

Jalen felt a chill run down his spine. "...The hell does that mean?"

The Beyonder did not elaborate. Jalen's mind was spinning. The Beyonder had given him zero reassurance. No answers. No alternative. Just more cryptic warnings and cosmic bullshit.

Jalen ran a hand down his face. "Goddamn it."

The Beyonder watched him carefully. "I did not say this path would be easy. Only that it is necessary."

Jalen looked away. This wasn't fair. None of it was fair. And yet... The moment he saw Megan Westward, he knew. The pull. The warmth. The connection. It was real. And no matter how much he fought it; he knew the truth. This was going to happen. The Beyonder began to fade, his body dissolving into pure white light. But before he fully vanished, his voice echoed one last time:

"When the time comes, you will make the right choice. You always do."

And then... he was gone. Jalen stood there, hands on his hips, heart pounding. The room was silent again. But his world? His world was about to become a whole lot louder. Because tomorrow he would likely get have to sign the contract to make it official. And Megan? Megan was going to be there the whole time. And no matter how hard he tried to fight it... Fate was already in motion.

***************************************************

Jalen stared at the PDF attachment in his email the next day. Chris Westward's signature. The contract was official. Now, all that was left was for him to sign. He hesitated. For a second, it felt like signing a death wish. Like he was locking himself into something he already knew would lead to chaos. But at the same time, this was business. A big contract. A huge payday. He was a professional. Nothing was going to happen. Nothing could happen. With a slow breath, Jalen grabbed his stylus, scrawled his signature across the screen, and clicked send. It was done.

Ding. The second the email left his outbox, a message popped up. Chris Westward.

Chris: Great. When can you start?

Jalen sighed, rubbing his temple. This man really didn't waste a damn second, huh?

He quickly typed back:

Jalen: Thursday morning. I'll get there at 9:00 AM to start setting up.

A few seconds later...

Chris: Perfect. See you then.

Jalen locked his phone, exhaling sharply. That was it. Thursday morning, he was stepping into the Westward mansion. And Megan would be there. Jalen leaned back on his couch, staring at the ceiling. What the hell had he just gotten himself into?

***************************************************

Jalen pulled up to the Westward mansion at exactly 8:55 AM on Thursday morning. His truck rolled through the massive iron gates as the security system confirmed his arrival. The circular driveway was paved with pristine stone, leading up to an intimidating white-columned estate that screamed old money. The house was impressive. The situation, however? Not so much. Jalen exhaled through his nose, gripping the steering wheel for a second before shutting off the engine. He wasn't sure why he felt like his life was about to change the second he stepped out of this truck, but the feeling was there. And it was strong.

Jalen barely had time to check his phone before the front door swung open. Chris Westward stepped out, dressed in a tailored navy-blue suit, holding a tumbler of what Jalen was pretty damn sure was bourbon. At 9 in the morning.

"Moss," Chris greeted, stepping forward with that same artificial charm he carried at their first meeting. "Right on time. I like that."

Jalen nodded, keeping it professional. "Always."

Chris smirked, motioning toward the house. "Come on in. Let's get started."

Walking through the Westward estate was like stepping into a different world. Every room looked straight out of a magazine. Marble floors. Expensive art. Ceilings high enough to make Jalen feel like he was in a damn cathedral. Money dripped from every detail. But the air? The air was heavy. Something about the house felt suffocating. Like it was too perfect. Too controlled. Too much like a curated display rather than a home. And that told Jalen something. This wasn't a house where people laughed. This wasn't a house where people relaxed. This was a house where people performed. Chris walked ahead, leading him toward the back of the house, talking about his vision for the wine cellar. Jalen nodded along, taking mental notes...

But then, she entered the room. Jalen barely caught the scent of perfume first, subtle but alluring. Then, heels clicking against marble. Then...her. Megan Westward walked into the room, dressed in a black blazer and black leather pants, paired with sleek black high-heels. Her long, dark brown hair cascaded down her back in soft waves, and her makeup was immaculate, from the subtle smoky eyes to the bold red lips that somehow made her look effortlessly powerful. She was stunning. More than that, she was striking. And for the briefest second, Jalen felt it again. That warmth. That pull. But he snapped himself out of it immediately. Not here. Not now. Keep it professional. Chris barely acknowledged her.

"Morning, babe," he said dismissively, already moving toward the basement.

Megan didn't respond right away. Instead, she took a brief glance at Jalen. Not in an obvious way. Not in a way Chris would even notice. But Jalen noticed. Her blue eyes flickered over him, just for a second.

Then she turned to Chris. "Good morning."

Her voice was smooth, controlled, polite. But there was something underneath it. Something Jalen couldn't place yet. Something he wasn't sure he wanted to place. And then, just like that, the moment was gone.

Chris led Jalen into the unfinished basement space where the wine cellar would be built out. Jalen immediately assessed the structure, mentally calculating materials, timeframes, and costs. Chris, meanwhile, leaned against the wall, sipping his drink, watching him.

"So, Moss," Chris said casually. "How long you been in the business?"

Jalen didn't look up. "Been in contracting for about six years. Had my own company for the last two."

Chris hummed, taking another sip. "Two years, huh? Must be doing well for yourself if Harbor recommended you."

Jalen simply nodded. "I do alright."

Chris smirked. "Self-made, I assume?"

Here we go. Jalen knew that tone.

That "let me size you up" tone.

The "I need to know if you're worth my time or if I should treat you like help" tone.

"Something like that." Jalen replied smoothly.

Chris watched him for a beat, as if trying to decide where Jalen fit in his world.

Then he grinned. "Well, I'm not a micro-manager. I trust you'll get it done right."

That wasn't a compliment. That was a test. Jalen had been around enough rich, arrogant men to know exactly what Chris was doing.

Jalen kept his face neutral. "That's what I'm here for."

Chris nodded approvingly. "Good. You do a solid job, maybe I'll pass your name around to some of my people. Could be good for business."

Jalen kept his cool, practiced smile. "I'd appreciate that."

Translation?

"Don't act like you're doing me a favor, bro. I was already recommended by one of your 'people.' I earned this job."

Chris didn't seem to catch on...or if he did, he didn't care.

"Alright, I'll let you get started. Megan will be around if you need anything."

Jalen stilled.

Chris took another sip of his drink. "She handles most of the home projects. Has an eye for things. Ain't that right, babe?"

Megan, who had just entered the room again, tilted her head slightly. There was a pause. Then, with a controlled, unreadable smile, she said, "I suppose I do."

Jalen didn't know what the hell that was supposed to mean, but he knew one thing. He had just been given a lot more time alone with Megan Westward.

Jalen had been working quietly for hours. Chris had left for the office around 10 AM, and since then, Jalen had been doing what he did best: getting to work. The wine cellar space was solid. Good bones, quality structure. The project would take some time, but once it was done, it would be one of his best yet. At least, that's what he kept telling himself. But despite his focus, his mind kept drifting to one unavoidable thought. Megan.

A short while later, the sound of heels clicking against the basement steps pulled Jalen from his work. He looked up.

And there she was. Megan Westward, holding a tray with drinks, water, Gatorade, Coke, and offering them like it was the most casual thing in the world.

"I thought you might need this," she said smoothly, her blue eyes locking onto his.

Jalen took a second to process her presence. Because, once again, he was hit with the same damn question. How the hell did Chris not stop everything just to look at her? It didn't make sense. Megan was the kind of woman who demanded attention just by existing. Her presence was undeniable. Everything about her was stunning, from the way her dark brown hair framed her high cheekbones to the boldness of her red lips against her flawless skin. It felt like Jalen's eyes involuntarily found her every time she was in sight. And now? Now, she was standing right in front of him, offering him a drink, looking so effortlessly elegant in a simple but fitted ivory sweater and black pencil skirt.

Jalen swallowed down whatever the hell he was feeling and nodded. "Thanks, I appreciate that."

He wiped the sweat off his brow with the back of his arm and reached for a Gatorade. Megan watched him as he cracked the bottle open and took a long sip. He could feel her eyes on him. She wasn't flirting. She wasn't being obvious. But there was something there. Something... undecipherable. Something that told Jalen she wasn't just here to drop off drinks and leave.

Jalen exhaled, shaking his head slightly. "This was nice of you. You didn't have to."

Megan tilted her head, lips curving slightly. "I know."

Silence. Her tone was too casual. Too intentional. Jalen felt his grip on the Gatorade tighten. She wasn't just Chris Westward's wife. She was a woman who knew how to play a game. And if Jalen wasn't careful--he was going to lose.

Jalen took another slow sip of his Gatorade, watching Megan carefully as she stood there, completely at ease. She didn't immediately turn to leave. Didn't just drop off the drinks and go. Instead, she leaned lightly against the wall, arms crossed in a way that felt too relaxed, too deliberate.

"So," Megan said casually, tilting her head, "how long does a project like this usually take?"

Jalen exhaled through his nose, keeping it professional.

"Depends on the space. This one?" He glanced around the unfinished cellar. "A few months, give or take. The hardest part is making sure the cooling system is set up properly. Wine cellars need a specific temperature and humidity level, so that has to be perfect before anything else gets built out."

Megan nodded, as if genuinely interested. "That makes sense."

She didn't move. Didn't give any indication that she was about to leave.

Jalen wiped his brow again, shifting slightly. "...Chris didn't tell you any of this?"

Megan's lips curved slightly, her expression unreadable. "Chris tells me a lot of things. Doesn't mean I listen to all of them."

Jalen smirked before he could stop himself. "Fair enough."

Megan glanced around the cellar, running a finger lightly along the bare wooden frame of the doorway.

"It's impressive," she mused. "What you do. Creating something from nothing. It must be satisfying to see a project go from an idea to a finished space."

Jalen studied her carefully. She wasn't just making small talk. She was stretching this conversation. Keeping herself here. And that realization unsettled him. Because now he was wondering why.

"Yeah," Jalen said, keeping his tone neutral. "That's the best part of the job--standing back at the end and seeing something that wasn't there before."

Megan hummed in response, nodding slightly. But still, she didn't move. Her eyes flicked to his, and for the briefest second, something unspoken passed between them. Something charged. Something that neither of them acknowledged. Then, Megan shifted, pushing off the wall.

"Well, I'll let you get back to it," she said smoothly, turning to head upstairs.

Jalen just nodded, forcing himself to look away as she walked up the steps. The sound of her heels clicking against the stairs echoed through the cellar, and then she was gone. Jalen let out a slow breath, running a hand down his face. That had been weird. Not enough to call it suspicious. But enough to make him wonder. Megan had stood there just a little too long. Asked just a few too many questions. And looked at him just a little too differently than a married woman should look at a man who wasn't her husband. Or maybe he was just reading into it. Maybe he was paranoid because of the Beyonder's bullshit prophecy. Maybe he was imagining it. Maybe... But then again... Maybe not.

***************************************************

Over the next week, a pattern emerged. Every day, Jalen would arrive at the Westward estate, park his truck, and get straight to work. And every day, Megan would find a reason to check in on him. It was never obvious. Never flirty. Never anything that could be called inappropriate. At least, not on the surface. But it was enough. Enough for Jalen to notice. Enough for him to wonder. Enough to make him start asking himself why. The first time, it was casual.

"Just wanted to see how things were coming along," Megan had said smoothly, standing at the entrance of the cellar, arms folded in a way that felt too poised.

Jalen had kept his answer short and professional. "Everything's on schedule. No problems so far."

Megan had nodded and lingered just long enough for it to feel... deliberate. Then she left. The next day, she came back. "Need anything? More drinks?"

Jalen had declined, but she had stayed a little longer anyway, making small talk, watching him work. By day three, she wasn't even bringing excuses anymore. She would simply show up. Ask a few questions. Make a few comments. And always stick around just long enough to make Jalen feel like there was something unsaid hanging in the air. He tried to push it out of his mind. Tried to tell himself he was overthinking. Tried to ignore the way the tension between them kept growing, despite neither of them actually doing anything. But the more he tried to shut it down the stronger it got.

Chris, meanwhile, was completely oblivious. If anything, he was making it easier for Megan to drift closer to Jalen. Because every time Jalen saw him interact with her, it was like watching a man who didn't even recognize what he had.

Chris would walk in, say barely two words to Megan, then immediately start talking about himself. If Megan tried to say something, he would nod distractedly and barely respond. Some days, he didn't acknowledge her at all.

One night, around 6 PM, Chris had come home while Jalen was wrapping up for the day. Chris had breezed into the house, talking on his Bluetooth headset, barely even glancing at Megan as he walked past her. Megan had been standing near the kitchen island, holding a wine glass, watching him disappear into his office. She had no expression on her face. Just emptiness. Jalen had seen it. And he had looked away immediately, pretending like he hadn't. But it stuck with him. Because it was the first real sign that something wasn't right.

By Friday, Jalen was fully aware of two things:

Firstly, Megan wasn't just "checking in." She was seeking something. And secondly, Chris had no idea what was happening right in front of him.

And Jalen? Jalen was stuck in the middle. Trying to ignore it. Trying to pretend he didn't feel the way Megan's eyes stayed on him just a second too long. Trying not to wonder what she was thinking. Trying not to care. But no matter what he did, the tension kept growing. And it was only a matter of time before something had to give.

One day, Megan finally breaks the act and says something that confirms Jalen's suspicions. It was Tuesday afternoon. Jalen was halfway through the day's work, measuring out dimensions for the custom shelving when...

Click. Click. Click.

The sound of heels against the wooden staircase sent a familiar tension through his chest. He didn't even have to turn around to know it was her. Megan Westward. Coming to "check in" again. By now, it was routine. She'd walk in, make small talk, linger just a little too long, then leave before anything could be called inappropriate. But today? Today, the air felt different. And Jalen felt it immediately. She stepped into the cellar wearing a sleek black blouse tucked into another one of those form-fitting pencil skirts that hugged her curves in all the right ways. Her makeup was subtle but flawless, those bright blue eyes sharper than usual. And her red lips? They looked like they were holding back something dangerous. Jalen stayed focused on his work, keeping things strictly professional.

"Hey," he said without looking up. "Need something?"

Megan folded her arms, leaning slightly against one of the unfinished wooden beams. "No. Just watching."

Jalen exhaled slowly, setting his pencil down. "Watching what?"

Megan tilted her head, her gaze steadier than usual. "You."

Jalen's stomach tightened.

For weeks, she had been dancing around something. Denying it. Hiding behind excuses and small talk. But now? She wasn't hiding anymore. Jalen finally turned to face her fully, expression unreadable.

"Megan."

Her eyes flickered slightly at the way he said her name, deep, controlled, like a warning.

But she didn't back down. Instead, she let out a quiet sigh and gave him a knowing smile.

"You know, don't you?"

Jalen clenched his jaw. "Know what?" he asked, his voice carefully neutral.

Megan let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "That I've been finding excuses to come down here every day."

Jalen didn't respond immediately. Because this was it. The moment. The confirmation that everything he'd been wondering, suspecting, denying was real. She was doing this on purpose. And now? She wanted him to acknowledge it. Jalen's chest tightened as the weight of her words settled in. This was the crossroads. If he admitted it, the game would change. If he denied it, she might push harder.

"I did pick up on that," Jalen said, voice even, calm, "I also picked up on the fact that Chris doesn't seem to appreciate you the way he should."

Silence.

Megan's lips parted slightly, like she wanted to deny it. Like she wanted to say something, anything, to keep the game going. But she didn't. For weeks, she had been dancing around this, testing the waters, pushing the limits, but now, Jalen had just turned the mirror back on her. She had expected him to deflect, maybe even pretend like he didn't notice. But instead? He met her head-on.

She let out a quiet breath, looking down for a brief moment before tilting her head. "And what makes you say that?"

Jalen narrowed his eyes slightly, watching her. He could play this a lot of different ways. But something told him Megan already knew the answer. And she just wanted to hear him say it. Jalen exhaled sharply, shaking his head.

"I've been here for a week, Megan. I've seen how he acts."

Megan didn't react right away. So, Jalen kept going.

"He barely looks at you when he walks in. Half the time, he talks over you. He doesn't ask you anything about your day, doesn't stop to notice you. And if I can see that in just one week..." He stopped himself. Because the next words were dangerous. "If I can see that in just one week, how long have you been feeling it?"

Megan's gaze dropped for a split second. And that's when Jalen knew. He was right. For the first time since she had started coming down to the cellar, Megan didn't have a smirk. Didn't have a witty comeback. Didn't have that sharp, unreadable edge. Instead, she looked at Jalen like... Like she was finally allowing herself to be seen. Like someone had spoken out loud what she had been silently feeling for God knows how long. And for a second, Jalen swore he saw a flash of sadness behind those bright blue eyes. But then... Just as quickly as it came... She blinked, and it was gone.

Megan let out a soft laugh, shaking her head as she glanced to the side. "You're observant."

Jalen didn't say anything. Just watched her. Because at this point what could he even say? This was dangerous. And they both knew it.

Megan finally looked back at him, her expression unreadable again. But this time, her voice was softer. "So, what else have you picked up on, Jalen?"

That, right there, was the moment. The invitation. The unspoken challenge. Because she wasn't just asking him to say more about Chris. She was asking him if he saw her. If he saw what was happening between them. If he was willing to say it. Jalen didn't look away. Didn't flinch. Didn't soften his words. Because in that moment, it all clicked. This was why the Beyonder sent him here. Megan. Not just because of the prophecy. Not just because of the unexplainable pull between them. But because she was trapped. And something in her had already started fighting to be free. So, Jalen met her gaze, voice low but firm.

"I see a strong and smart woman caged by a weaker man."

Silence. Megan's breath hitched ever so slightly. For a second, she didn't move. Didn't speak. Didn't do anything. Because no one had ever put it like that before. People saw Chris as the powerful one. The wealthy one. The one with control. But Jalen had seen right through it. He had seen her. And now, she knew it.

Megan's lips parted slightly, her fingers gripping her own arms where they were crossed. She should have had a comeback. Should have rolled her eyes and laughed it off. Should have walked away like it didn't affect her. But she didn't do any of that. Instead, she just stood there, staring at Jalen like he had just cracked something open inside of her that she wasn't ready to deal with. Like she had been exposed. Like she had been seen. Finally, Jalen watched as she blinked, letting out a slow, uneven breath.

"You really believe that?" she asked, voice quieter now.

Jalen didn't even hesitate. "I don't say things I don't mean."

Megan's lips pressed together, like she was trying to hold back something. A reaction, an emotion, something real. She looked away for a second, collecting herself. Then, just like that, the wall went back up. Her expression smoothed, her posture straightened, and when she looked at him again, the unreadable Megan was back. But Jalen saw it. He saw the way her fingers subtly trembled before she tucked them behind her back. Saw the way she swallowed like she was trying to push something down. Saw that he had just touched something deep inside her. And she knew it, too. Megan took a step back, exhaling as she smoothed down her blouse.

"Well," she said finally, her voice controlled again. "I should let you get back to work."

But just as she turned to leave, she paused at the doorway, tilting her head slightly. Then, without looking at him... "You might be right about me, Jalen."

A short pause. Then, even softer, just above a whisper, "But what does that make you?"

And before Jalen could say a word, before he could even process what the hell that meant, she was walking back upstairs. Jalen stood there, jaw clenched, heart pounding. That...That was different. Megan had been playing games before. Pushing boundaries, seeing how far she could go. But this? This wasn't a game anymore. This was something deeper. Something real. And now, he had to figure out what the hell to do about it. Because Megan Westward wasn't just a beautiful woman with a rich, neglectful husband. She was a woman who was waking up. And Jalen? Jalen was the match that had just lit the fire.

For the first time since this all started, Megan did the one thing she hadn't done before. She avoided Jalen. For three full days. No more casual check-ins. No more "coincidental" encounters. No more excuses to be near him. She stayed upstairs, stayed busy, stayed away. But no matter what she did she couldn't stop thinking about him. Not just the way he looked at her. Not just the way his deep, smooth voice sounded when he said her name. Not just the way she felt whenever she was near him. But what he said.

"I see a strong and smart woman caged by a weaker man."

That sentence haunted her. Because it wasn't just something charming or flirtatious. It was true. And that truth had shaken her. Because if Jalen could see it, then how long had she been ignoring it? And more importantly, what did that make her?

By Thursday evening, Megan couldn't take it anymore. She needed to see him. Needed to look him in the eyes again. Needed to understand why she felt this pull toward him. So around 7:30 PM, after Chris had already left for some event at his country club, Megan grabbed her keys and got into her car. And instead of driving anywhere she was supposed to be, she drove to Jalen's place.

Jalen had just gotten out of the shower, throwing on a simple black t-shirt and sweats, when he heard a knock at his door. At first, he assumed it was one of his boys. But when he opened it there she was. Megan Westward. Standing on his doorstep, looking stunning in a fitted white dress, her dark hair styled in effortless waves, her red lips standing out even more boldly than usual. Jalen's stomach tightened. For a second, neither of them spoke. They just stood there, staring at each other. Until Megan finally said, in a voice that was low and unreadable...

"Are you going to let me in?"

Jalen stepped aside, wordlessly letting her in. She walked in slowly, gazing around his apartment, taking in the space. It was clean, but not overly decorated. Functional, masculine, with subtle personal touches, sports memorabilia, books, framed photos of family. But what caught her attention the most? The man standing in front of her. Jalen crossed his arms, leaning slightly against the wall, watching her carefully.

"How did you know where I live?" he asked, voice calm but laced with something heavier.

Megan turned to face him fully, her blue eyes locked onto his.

"I saw your address on Chris' files that he pulled on you. He does it to everyone that he works with. I have a pretty good photographic memory. Also...I needed to see you."

Jalen's chest tightened. "Why?"

Megan took a slow breath. Then, carefully, deliberately... "Because I want to know who you really are."

Jalen tilted his head slightly. "You think you don't already?"

Megan shook her head. "No. I don't."

She took a step closer. Jalen felt the air between them shift. Something thick. Something charged. Something undeniable. Megan's voice dropped just slightly, her tone filled with something deeper than curiosity.

"You see me, Jalen." Another step. "But I don't know if I see you yet."

Jalen swallowed. "And what do you want to see?"

Megan's lips parted slightly, like she was going to answer. Like she had so many things she wanted to say. But instead, she just whispered, "Everything."

Jalen exhaled deeply, running a hand down his jaw before looking back at her. Megan was standing so close now. So close that he could see the way her chest rose and fell with each slow breath. So close that he could smell the soft, intoxicating blend of her perfume. So close that if he reached out, if he even shifted an inch, he could close the space between them completely. But he didn't. Instead, he leveled his gaze with hers and spoke with quiet certainty.

"You want to know who I really am?" Jalen asked.

Megan nodded slowly. "Then you need to understand something about me first."

Jalen leaned back against the kitchen counter, crossing his arms. "I believe that in a relationship, both people should feel loved. Not just 'tolerated' or 'kept around', but loved. Chosen. Every day."

Megan said nothing. She just listened. Because no one had ever spoken to her like this before. Jalen continued; his voice steady but firm.

"A woman should never have to question if her man sees her. Feels her. Wants her. And if she does, if she feels like she's fading into the background of her own relationship--then that man doesn't deserve her."

Megan's lips parted slightly, her breath catching for a second.

Jalen shook his head. "Chris doesn't deserve you."

Megan let out a quiet exhale, looking down briefly before meeting his eyes again. "And you do?" she asked softly.

Jalen didn't answer immediately. Because that was the hardest part of all of this. Did he? Did he deserve someone like her? Because as much as he could stand here and tell her what she deserved, he wasn't sure if he was the man to give it to her. Not yet. Not when his own life was so... complicated.

Jalen let out a slow breath, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm not perfect, Megan."

She tilted her head, watching him closely. "What do you mean?"

Jalen exhaled, shaking his head with a small, humorless smirk. "I mean... I'm not some unattached guy sitting around waiting for the perfect woman to come change my life."

He thought of Sydney. The nights they had spent together, the laughter, the ease, the way she had freed herself from a life she didn't want because of him. He thought of Kristen. The raw passion, the connection, the complicated, unresolved feelings that still lingered between them. And now? Now there was Megan. A woman standing in his kitchen, looking at him like he was the first person to ever see her for real. Jalen ran a hand down his face.

"I've got things going on in my life. Things I can't explain. Things I can't always control."

Megan's brows furrowed slightly. "What kind of things?"

Jalen shook his head. "Complicated things. Things I can't tell you."

Megan searched his face, sensing that there was more. Something he wasn't saying. But instead of pushing, she just took a step back, nodding slightly. "I don't need perfect, Jalen."

He looked at her. "Then what do you need?"

Megan let out a soft laugh, but it was tired. "I don't know. But I know I need more than what I have now."

Jalen sighed, rubbing his temple. "Then you need to figure that out, Megan. Not for me. Not for Chris. But for you."

Megan swallowed hard, her blue eyes still locked onto his. "And if I do?" she asked, voice barely above a whisper.

Jalen exhaled sharply. "Then we'll see what happens."

Silence. For a long moment, neither of them moved. Then, finally, Megan let out a slow, uneven breath. She turned toward the door, gripping the handle for a second, but before she left, she looked over her shoulder. "I meant what I said, Jalen. I want to know you."

Jalen just nodded. "Then start with knowing yourself first." And with that, Megan walked out of his apartment. Leaving behind a storm neither of them were prepared for.

Later that evening, Megan sat in her enormous marble bathtub, knees pulled up, steam rising around her as the hot water kissed her skin. The dim bathroom lights cast a soft glow against the pristine white tiles, but she barely noticed. Because all she could think about... was Jalen. The way he looked at her. The way he spoke to her. The way he saw her. No hesitation. No fear. No doubt. And that? That was something she hadn't felt in years. Chris had made her feel trapped. Jalen made her feel like she could breathe again. And now? Now, she knew exactly what she wanted. She wanted to feel alive again. And Jalen? Jalen was the pathway to that. But there was just one problem.

Megan leaned back in the tub, closing her eyes, replaying their conversation in her head. Jalen had been honest. More honest than any man had been with her in years. But... He had held back. She saw it in the way he hesitated. The way his eyes darkened for a moment when she asked about who he really was. The way he admitted that his life was complicated. Jalen wasn't just an average guy. He had something going on and it was apparent too much for him to feel comfortable sharing with her. If she was going to fully step into this... She needed to know what it is that he's hesitant to tell her. Megan opened her eyes, staring up at the ceiling, her heart pounding. Because for the first time, she realized that this wasn't just attraction. This wasn't just curiosity. She needed to know him. Not just in the way a woman knows a man. But in the way a person understands another person's soul. And Megan wasn't going to stop until she found out exactly what Jalen Moss was hiding.

***************************************************

Monday afternoon, 1:30 pm. Jalen is waiting for Megan to come down and sure enough, she does a few minutes later. No drinks in her hand meaning she only wants to have a serious conversation. Jalen knows what he must do.

"Jalen, I think you're exactly the kind of man I want. And I know you feel something too," Megan started to say, "But last night, you didn't elaborate on what makes you so... complicated. And I need to know what that is before I feel like I can trust you."

Jalen sighed. "Megan...first off...I'm not some knight in shining armor-"

"I'm not asking you to save me Jalen." Megan said cutting him off. "I don't need saving. I need to FEEL something. Something good, something real, something warm. And I've gotten a taste of that with you, and I want more. But only after you tell me the full story about who you are."

Jalen paused and then... "I was recently involved with two other women...." Jalen then proceeds to tell Megan everything about Sydney and Kristen.

After explaining how he met them, and how his feelings developed for them, and theirs for him as well, he finishes by saying, "...And I care deeply about them both and now I care deeply about you. All three of you have complex situations that don't make it feasible for me to be in a monogamous relationship."

Megan stood there, processing. Processing everything Jalen had just laid bare. Sydney. Kristen. Him caring deeply about both of them. And now? Now, he was standing in front of her, looking at her like he wasn't sure how she would take it. Like he was giving her a way out before she got in too deep. Megan exhaled slowly, arms crossed over her chest as she looked down briefly, thinking. Then, finally, she spoke.

"You care about them."

Jalen nodded. "Yeah."

"And now you care about me."

Another nod. "Yeah."

Megan let out a soft, almost humorless laugh, shaking her head slightly.

"You're right, Jalen. You're not a knight in shining armor. You're something else entirely."

Jalen raised a brow. "And what's that?"

Megan's blue eyes flicked back up to his, filled with something unreadable.

"A man who doesn't belong to any one woman... but every woman who crosses your path seems to want a piece of you."

Jalen didn't say anything. Because that? That wasn't wrong. Megan let out another slow breath, tilting her head slightly.

"Let me get this straight."

She took a step forward.

"Sydney broke up with her boyfriend and now she's figuring herself out, but you two are still seeing each other."

Jalen nodded. "Yeah."

Another step.

"Kristen is engaged, but she's also completely tangled up in you, and neither of you have figured out what the hell that means yet."

Jalen sighed. "Yeah."

Megan stared at him for a long moment before finally asking, "And what am I supposed to be?"

Jalen's jaw clenched slightly. He didn't have an answer for that. Because Megan? Megan was still unwritten.

But Megan... Megan smiled. And when she did, it wasn't sad. It wasn't hurt. It was knowing. Because she had just come to a decision in her own head.

"You know what I think, Jalen?"

Jalen lifted a brow. "What?"

Megan leaned in just slightly, her voice dropping to something softer. "I think you were meant to come into my life exactly the way you are."

Jalen felt his stomach tighten. "Megan--"

"No. Listen to me." She held his gaze, serious now. "I don't need a fairytale. I don't need a prince. And I definitely don't need a husband waiting for me at home who doesn't give a damn whether I'm there or not."

She took another step closer. "I need something real. Something raw. Something that makes me feel like I'm alive again." Her lips parted slightly, her breathing heavier. "And I think that something is you."

Silence. Jalen swallowed. This was the moment. The moment where she had made her choice. And now? It was his move.

Jalen sighed again, his voice low but steady. "I want you, Megan."

Megan's breath hitched. She had been waiting for those words. Craving them. Needing them. But before the warmth could fully spread through her chest...

Jalen finished his thought. "But I don't believe I deserve you."

Megan's heart twisted. Not because she was hurt, but because she understood exactly why he felt that way. Jalen wasn't a selfish man. He wasn't taking women just because they wanted him. He was carrying them. Sydney. Kristen. Now her. And for the first time, Megan realized just how much weight he was holding on his shoulders. But she wasn't going to let him push her away because of it. So, she did the only thing she knew in her soul she had to do.

She stepped forward, closing the distance between them, her arms wrapping around his strong, broad frame. Jalen stiffened slightly, caught off guard. But then he exhaled, his muscles relaxing under her touch. Megan tilted her head up, her red lips just inches away from his.

Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I believe you do."

And then, without hesitation, she kissed him. The moment their lips met, it was like a damn had finally broken. Jalen let out a deep breath against her mouth, his hands finding her waist, pulling her closer, pressing her body fully against his. Megan melted into him, her fingers sliding up his chest, gripping onto the fabric of his shirt as the kiss deepened. She had imagined this. Dreamed of this. And yet, nothing had prepared her for how real, how right, how intoxicating it would feel. Jalen wasn't just kissing her. He was claiming her. And she was claiming him right back. Her red lipstick smudged against his mouth, marking him--branding him as hers.

Jalen broke the kiss just long enough to rest his forehead against hers, his breathing ragged. "Megan..."

Megan didn't let him speak. Didn't let him overthink. She kissed him again, softer this time, more deliberate. Because she wasn't just telling him what she wanted. She was showing him. And Jalen? Jalen stopped fighting it. Stopped denying himself. Stopped pretending like he didn't want this just as badly as she did. His hands slid down her waist, gripping her hips, pressing her even closer.

And Megan? Megan let herself feel. Feel wanted. Feel alive. Feel everything she had been missing. Megan's body burned with need. Her lips moved against Jalen's with a hunger she hadn't felt in years. Her fingers gripped at his shirt, feeling the solid muscle beneath. Her body ached to peel it off. To let this moment consume them. To take what she wanted. But... Not yet.

Something inside her hesitated. Not because she didn't want him. God, she wanted him so badly it hurt. But because this? This wasn't just sex. This wasn't just about satisfaction. This was about power. Control. Choice. And Megan wanted to be absolutely certain that when she finally took him, it was fully on her terms. Not just because she was craving him in the moment. Not just because she was rebelling against the emptiness of her marriage. But because she was choosing him. Completely. And she needed to be ready for everything that meant. With a deep, shaky breath, Megan broke the kiss, pulling back just slightly. Jalen's dark eyes searched hers, his breathing just as heavy as hers. He could feel it. The push and pull. The debate waging inside her. His hands still rested firmly on her hips; his body still pressed to hers. He could tell that she was on the edge--so close to letting go completely. But then he saw it. The flicker of hesitation in her eyes. And just like that he knew. She wasn't ready. Not yet.

Jalen let out a slow breath, his hands sliding up to cup her face gently. His thumb traced her cheek, his voice deep and steady.

"You don't have to explain."

Megan swallowed hard. "I just--"

Jalen shook his head, giving her a small, knowing smirk. "I know."

Megan let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Relief. Gratitude. Something deeper than that. Jalen's lips brushed against her forehead, a small, lingering touch that sent a different kind of warmth through her chest. Something safe. Something secure. Something she wasn't used to feeling with a man. And that? That only made her want him even more. Megan stepped back, taking a steadying breath as she collected herself. Jalen watched her, his gaze filled with understanding. No frustration. No disappointment. Just patience. And that? That was the final confirmation Megan needed. She looked up at him, a slow, knowing smirk curling on her red lips.

"Next time... I won't stop."

Jalen exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening at her words. He let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "You're trying to kill me, Megan."

Megan laughed, but the look in her eyes? It was deadly serious.

"No, Jalen." She stepped forward, her fingers brushing over his chest. "I'm trying to bring myself back to life."

And with that, she turned and walked back upstairs. Leaving Jalen standing there, already anticipating what would happen when "next time" finally came. Jalen wanted to do something special for her. Something that wasn't just about attraction, desire, or temptation. Something that made her feel adored. Cherished. Seen. And he knew exactly how to do it.

Chapter 7

Chris had another "business trip" coming up, which both Megan and Jalen knew was bullshit. Chris wasn't flying out for work. Chris was meeting up with another woman, however this suited Jalen just fine, because while Chris was off doing whatever the hell he wanted, Jalen was going to do something Chris had never done. He was going to give Megan a night that made her feel like the most important woman in the world.

Jalen booked a luxury suite at the Westin Peachtree Plaza. He had to dip into a chunk of his savings to do it, but he felt like this would be worth it. The suite is gorgeous. Floor-to-ceiling windows with a skyline view. A kitchen so he could cook her something with his own hands. A plush king-sized bed waiting for her at the end of the night. But it wasn't just about the luxury. It was about the details. Candles. Rose petals. Muscadine wine, a Southern favorite, rich and sweet, just like the night he had planned for them. And then, The final touch.

Jalen sent Megan a text message via Facebook Messenger.

Jalen: "I want to take you out this weekend. Friday night. But not just anywhere. I want you to dress up. Wear something that makes you feel like the most beautiful and powerful woman in the world. I'll handle the rest."

He hoped she would see it. He wasn't sure if she ever even checked Facebook. To his relief, she responded about an hour later.

Megan: "Jalen... what are you up to?"

Jalen: "Something Chris never has. Just trust me."

A pause. Then...

Megan: "What time?"

Jalen: "I'll send you the details soon. Just be ready for me."

And with that, it was set.

Jalen arrives first, setting everything up.

He unpacks fresh ingredients in the kitchen, ready to cook a handmade Italian dinner. He spreads rose petals across the bed and around the candle-lit dining table. He puts on a crisp black suit, clean-cut and sharp. He sets out the Muscadine wine, pouring two glasses. He plays soft jazz in the background, setting the perfect mood.

Everything was perfect. Now he just had to wait for her. And when Megan finally arrived? Jalen's breath caught in his throat. Because she was already a stunning woman, but she had taken it up to a whole other level now.

Megan walked in, dressed in a long, silky crimson-red gown that clung to her curves like it was made for her. Her dark waves cascaded down her back, framing her striking blue eyes and full, red lips. She had freshly manicured acrylic nails painted in a nude color. Her golden Christian Louboutin 'So Kate' style high-heeled pumps clicked softly against the hotel floor as she stepped inside, looking around at the setup, then back at him. Jalen could see it in her eyes. The surprise. The appreciation. The emotion. Because this? This was the first time in years that someone had put this much effort into making her feel special.

Jalen smiled, stepping forward. "You look incredible, Megan."

Megan exhaled, a slow smile spreading across her lips. "And you, Jalen... look like trouble."

Jalen chuckled, offering her a glass of Muscadine wine. "Then you're exactly where you're supposed to be."

Megan sat at the beautifully set table, her fingers lightly tracing the delicate stem of her wine glass. She watched as Jalen moved in the kitchen, his sleeves rolled up slightly, his strong hands plating the food with careful precision. The warm, rich aroma of Penne Fettuccine Alfredo filled the air, blending with the faint scent of vanilla candles and the musky cologne Jalen wore. Beside the pasta, he had prepared a fresh Caesar salad, the crisp green of the romaine lettuce vibrant against the candlelight. The Muscadine wine sat between them, deep and ruby-colored, just waiting to be savored. And Megan? Megan could barely breathe. Because this was real effort. Real intention. Real thoughtfulness. Not an expensive dinner in a crowded restaurant. Not a careless, last-minute reservation. Not a box of jewelry as an afterthought. This was different. This was a man cooking for her. Setting the table for her. Thinking about her. And for the first time in a very, very long time, she felt wanted. Not as a trophy. Not as a convenience. Not as someone's wife. But as Megan. And that? That was how she knew she was already falling for him. Jalen set the last plate down and looked up, meeting Megan's eyes. She was staring at him, her blue eyes soft, almost unreadable.

Jalen smirked, sitting across from her. "You keep looking at me like that, I'm gonna start thinking you're in love with me or something."

Megan let out a soft, breathy laugh, shaking her head. But she didn't deny it. Instead, she picked up her wine glass, swirling the dark liquid. "You put a lot of effort into this."

Jalen shrugged, picking up his own glass. "Of course I did."

Megan tilted her head slightly, eyes still locked onto him. "Why?"

Jalen exhaled, leaning forward slightly. "Because you deserve it."

Megan's throat tightened. Because no one had ever said that to her before. Not Chris. Not anyone. And the worst part? She had almost forgotten she did.

Jalen picked up his fork, watching her as he took a bite. "So? Tell me how I did."

Megan smirked, twirling some pasta around her fork and taking a slow bite. The creamy, garlicky Alfredo sauce melted in her mouth, perfectly paired with the rich pasta and the hint of herbs he had added. She closed her eyes for a second, letting out a small, satisfied hum.

Jalen grinned. "That good, huh?"

Megan opened her eyes, smirking as she wiped the corner of her mouth with a napkin. "You should've been a chef."

Jalen chuckled. "I like building things with my hands. Cooking is kinda the same thing."

Megan watched him as he spoke, taking in every detail. The way his deep voice carried in the quiet space. The way he held himself, calm and confident but never arrogant. The way he paid attention to her, like she was the only thing that mattered in this moment. It wasn't just the dinner. It was him. This was who Jalen really was. And Megan was falling...hard.

They finished dinner and Jalen poured two fresh glasses of Muscadine wine, the deep red liquid catching the candlelight as he handed one to Megan.

She took it wordlessly, her blue eyes lingering on the rim for a moment before finally exhaling. "I don't talk about Chris much."

Jalen leaned back in his chair, watching her carefully. He didn't push. Didn't press. He just let her speak at her own pace. And for the first time in a long time, Megan actually wanted to.

Megan swirled the wine in her glass, her voice measured. "I met Chris when I was 23. My mom and I were in trouble--financially, legally, every way you can think of. Chris was the attorney who helped get us out of it. And... he took an interest in me. Told me I was beautiful. That I was special. That I deserved more than the life I was born into."

She let out a soft, bitter chuckle. "At the time, I was struggling just to survive. So, when this rich, charming lawyer swooped in and said he wanted to take care of me? I thought I'd won the lottery."

Jalen didn't say anything. But Megan could see it in his eyes. He already knew exactly where this was going. Megan took a sip of wine before continuing.

"At first, it felt like a fairytale. He took me to expensive places, bought me things, made me feel like the luckiest woman in the world. He proposed after two years. My mom was ecstatic--she thought I had secured the best future possible. I thought so too."

She paused. Then, her lips pressed into a tight line. "But after we got married? Everything changed."

Jalen tilted his head slightly. "How so?"

Megan exhaled, rubbing her thumb along the stem of the wine glass. "I stopped being a person and started being... a possession. A trophy. Something to be shown off when convenient and ignored when not. I wasn't allowed to work. He made sure I was financially dependent on him. The prenup he made me sign guarantees I get nothing if I leave."

She swallowed. "And the worst part? The man I fell for--the charming, loving version of Chris--wasn't even real. He was just the mask he wore to get me."

Jalen's jaw tensed. Because he had seen this story before. Different men. Different women. Same game. And he hated it.

Megan let out a slow breath. "Chris isn't just selfish. He's... dangerous in ways most people don't see. He uses people. Manipulates them. He knows exactly how to twist situations in his favor."

She took another sip of wine. "He's also a serial cheater."

Jalen's eyes flickered. "You're sure?"

Megan let out a dry laugh. "He doesn't even try to hide it anymore. Different cities. Different women. I found emails, texts, hotel charges. He knows I know, but he also knows I can't leave without walking away with nothing. So, he doesn't care."

Jalen's grip on his glass tightened. Because this wasn't just a bad marriage. This was a cage. And Megan? Megan was just now realizing how badly she wanted out. Megan set her glass down, looking directly at Jalen now. Her voice dropped, softer now.

"I know I should've left a long time ago. But when you've spent years believing that something is just the way it is, you stop questioning it. You stop thinking you deserve more."

Her fingers tightened around the edge of the table. "But then... I met you."

Jalen's breath caught. Megan leaned forward slightly, her blue eyes shining with something raw, something unguarded. "You saw me, Jalen. Before I even saw myself again. And that? That woke something up in me." She exhaled, almost laughing to herself. "And now, I can't stop thinking about you."

Silence. Jalen held her gaze, his own emotions carefully restrained. Because he knew that Megan had just admitted something huge. Something dangerous. And now? They both had to decide what came next.

"We need to get you out of this marriage," Jalen said.

Megan stared at Jalen, her breath catching in her throat. "We?"

Jalen leaned forward; his dark eyes steady, unwavering. "Yes. We."

Megan blinked, trying to process what he was saying. Jalen wasn't just telling her to leave. He was saying he would stand by her while she did it. He was saying she wouldn't have to do this alone. And that? That was the first time in years someone had fought for her. Not for her looks. Not for her body. But for her freedom.

Megan exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "Jalen, you don't know what you're saying. Chris isn't just going to let me go. He's going to make this hell for me."

Jalen leaned back, his expression calm, but serious. "Then we'll be ready for it."

Megan let out a soft, almost shaky laugh. "You don't get it. He has power. Influence. Lawyers who owe him favors. He's not just some husband I can leave... he's the type who'll try to ruin me for doing it."

Jalen's jaw tightened. He knew men like Chris. Men who needed control. Men who didn't care who they hurt, as long as they stayed on top. But that? That didn't scare him. What scared him was letting Megan stay trapped. Jalen stood up, walking over to her side of the table. Megan watched him, heart pounding as he knelt down beside her chair, looking directly into her eyes. His voice dropped, quiet but filled with certainty.

"Megan, listen to me. I know this won't be easy. I know Chris is powerful. I know he's going to fight back." He reached for her hand, his warmth steadying her. "But you are not alone in this. Not anymore. You want out? You've got me."

Megan's throat tightened. Because this was real. Jalen wasn't just talking. He was willing to stand in the fire with her. And no one, not any other man in her life, certainly not Chris, had ever done that before. Megan exhaled, tears burning at the edges of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She looked down at Jalen, at the man who had changed everything for her. And then, for the first time in years... She made a choice for herself. "Okay."

Jalen squeezed her hand, nodding once. "Okay."

They looked at each other for a moment until... "Now," Jalen says extending a hand, "Will do me the honor of dancing with me?"

Megan stared at Jalen's extended hand, her heart still pounding from everything they had just decided. This was happening. She was going to leave Chris. And Jalen? Jalen was going to be by her side while she did it. But for tonight, for just one moment, she didn't want to think about the fight ahead. She didn't want to think about Chris, or lawyers, or the chaos waiting for her. She just wanted to feel. So, she took his hand.

Jalen's strong fingers curled around hers, warm and steady, grounding her. And then he gently pulled her into his arms. The soft hum of jazz music played through the suite, a slow, sensual rhythm filling the air. Jalen's hand rested on the small of her back, holding her close but still giving her space to breathe. Megan placed her hand on his chest, feeling the solid warmth of him beneath the fabric of his crisp suit. And for the first time in a long, long time... She felt safe. She let her body relax, let herself lean into him, let herself just... be. Jalen swayed them gently, his movements smooth, effortless, like he had done this a hundred times before. And Megan? Megan let herself fall deeper. Not just into the dance. But into him. Jalen looked down at her, his voice low, deep, intimate.

"You know, you deserve this feeling, Megan. Every day. Not just for a weekend. Not just when someone decides to pay attention."

Megan's chest tightened. Because she knew. She knew he was right. She lifted her head, locking eyes with him, her voice barely above a whisper. "Then don't let me forget it."

Jalen's hand tightened slightly on her waist. "I won't."

Silence. The music played on. The world outside didn't exist. And in this moment, with Jalen's arms around her, with his warmth against hers, with his words still hanging in the air, Megan had never felt more sure of what she needed to do.

Megan looked up at Jalen, her breathing uneven, her heart racing. The way he held her, firm, steady, safe. The way he looked at her like she was something worth protecting. And in this moment, with the soft music playing, the candlelight flickering, and the world outside falling away, she didn't think. Didn't hesitate. Didn't stop herself. She just acted. She leaned in.

And when their lips met. It wasn't just a kiss. It was everything. Jalen groaned softly as Megan's lips pressed against his, her body melting into his. His hand tightened on her waist, pulling her even closer. Her fingers slid up his chest, curling around the back of his neck, anchoring herself to him as she kissed him deeper. And God, she had kissed men before. But never like this. Never with this much hunger. Never with this much need. Never with this much feeling. Jalen's lips moved slowly, deliberately, like he was savoring her, like he wasn't in any rush to end this moment. And Megan? Megan let herself fall. Because for the first time in years, she was kissing a man who actually saw her. A man who wanted her, not just as a prize, not just as a conquest, but as a woman. And that? That made her kiss him even harder. Jalen pulled back first, just enough to look her in the eyes. Both of them were breathing hard, their lips swollen, red, and hungry for more.

Jalen's thumb traced along her cheekbone, his voice rough and low. "Damn, girl."

Megan let out a soft laugh, her fingers still tangled in the back of his hair. "Yeah..." she whispered; voice unsteady. "That was..."

She didn't even have the words. Because how do you explain a kiss that shakes your whole world?

Jalen smirked slightly, his thumb brushing over her bottom lip. "We should stop."

Megan swallowed, nodding. "We should."

Neither of them moved. Because stopping? Stopping felt impossible.

"But I don't want to," Megan said finally.

"Me neither," Jalen responded.

"Go sit on that chair over there, then," Megan ordered softly.

Jalen did as he's told. Megan walked up to him, her gold 'So Kate' heels clicking against the hard floor. She reached Jalen and kneeled down in front of him. She and her long acrylic nails began to unbuckle his belt. Jalen watched her, his breathing uneven, his hands gripping the arms of the chair. Her gold high-heeled pumps gleamed under the soft candlelight, the sharp clicks against the floor still echoing in his head. And now? Now she was on her knees, looking up at him with those intense, piercing blue eyes. Her fingers and nails moved with practiced ease, slowly unbuckling his belt and sliding down the zipper of his pants. And all Jalen could do... was watch. Watch as Megan took exactly what she wanted. Watch as she showed him just how far she was willing to go. Because she wasn't just giving in to desire. She was reclaiming her own power. And that? That made her even more dangerous. Megan freed Jalen from his boxers and took a moment to admire his god-like dick. It stood like a tower as if it was erected to honor her and her alone. Her red lips parted slightly, her breathing soft and warm against his skin of the tip.

"He looks ready for me." She said with a devilish smirk.

She wasn't wrong. The minute Megan's hands had started on his belt buckle, his cock practically leaped out of his pants and was essentially fully hard by the time she'd pulled it from under his boxers. Jalen groaned, his head leaning back, his hands gripping the arms of the chair as Megan took her time. She wasn't just doing this. She was savoring it. Owning it. Her tongue teased him first, slow, deliberate... A promise before the real thing.

And then? She went for it. Her mouth wrapped fully around him, her red lipstick marking every inch of his shaft as she worked her way down, slow and controlled. Hot. Wet. Deep. She didn't start gentle. She went slow, yes, but she made sure he felt every single inch as her lips glided down his shaft. Her tongue curled around him, teasing the underside, dragging up as she pulled back and licked the tip with agonizing precision. Jalen exhaled hard, hand tightening on the arms of the chair. Megan looked up at him--eyes locked to his, mouth full of his cock, cheeks hollowing as she began to bob her head faster, deeper. The wet sounds of her mouth echoed faintly in the suite. Her hands gripped his thighs, nails digging in slightly as she lost herself in it--sucking, swallowing, letting spit coat his shaft as she worked him with hunger and skill. Jalen's hand found her hair--gripping tight, but not forcing. Just holding. Steadying. Grounding himself as her pace quickened.

Jalen let out a deep exhale, his muscles tensing beneath her touch. Damn, she was good. And the worst part? She knew it. Megan kept her pace deliberate, making sure he felt every second of her attention. Her nude-colored nails glided along his thighs, just enough to tease and torment. Then, she added her hands, using a slow, twisting motion to follow the path of her lips, building pressure, building heat, making him lose himself. Jalen gritted his teeth, his breathing ragged. His eyes dropped to watch her, the sight of her down there, still dressed in that gorgeous red gown and heels, completely focused on his pleasure. Damn. He was done for.

"Fuck, Megan..."

Her moan vibrated around him. He throbbed against her tongue, hips flexing involuntarily, his control slipping with every stroke of her mouth. And then she took him all the way down, nose pressed to his stomach, throat swallowing around the full length of him and she held. Jalen almost lost it right there.

"Jesus--" he breathed, his head tilting back, eyes squeezed shut.

She held for as long as she could before her gag reflex finally kicked in, forcing her to pull back, lips glistening, eyes wild. Her hand kept stroking him as she regathered herself, licking her lips and whispering, "You gonna come for me, baby?"

Jalen looked down at her, chest rising, cock slick and hard in her grip. "Keep going."

She smiled and then put her mouth back on his cock. One hand pumping. The other now massaging his scrotum. She took him deep again, faster now. Relentless. Filthy. Focused. Jalen's breathing grew heavier, his muscles tensing beneath her touch. Megan knew he was close. She could feel it in the way his thighs tightened, in the way his hands clenched the chair, in the way his breath hitched every time her tongue teased him just right. She wasn't stopping. Not until she had all of him. Her lips stayed wrapped around him, her red lipstick leaving marks all the way down, her tongue working him over with slow, expert precision. Her hands twisted and stroked, working in perfect rhythm with her mouth, dragging him deeper and deeper into the pleasure. Jalen let out a low, strained groan, his jaw tightening as he fought to hold on, but Megan wasn't letting him. Not tonight. Megan felt the moment his control snapped. His hips tensed beneath her grip, his entire body shuddering as he let out a deep, guttural groan.

Jalen groaned low and deep. "Megan--I'm gonna--"

She didn't stop. She didn't flinch. She looked up at him again, eyes daring him.

And then, he exploded. Hot, thick cum, pulsated deep into her mouth as she held him there, swallowing every drop, moaning softly with satisfaction. His hands gripped the chair, his breathing ragged as she took it all without hesitation. When he finally sagged back in the chair, breath ragged, she pulled off him slowly. Megan let out a slow, satisfied hum, licking the tip one last time before she finally pulled back, her blue eyes locking onto his. She swallowed very deliberately, making sure he saw it. And when she licked her lips afterward, smirking as if she'd just had the most indulgent dessert of her life, Jalen let out a breathless chuckle, shaking his head.

"You're something else, Megan."

Megan stood, her heels clicking against the floor, wiping the smudged lipstick from the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand. She leaned down, placing a single lingering kiss against his jaw.

"I know."

She smirked, stepping back, tilting her head.

"Now... what are you going to do about it?"

Jalen leaned back in the chair, still catching his breath, his body pulsing with lingering pleasure. Megan smirked, watching him recover, standing tall in her gold high heels, her lips slightly swollen and smudged from her work. She looked proud of herself. Smug, even. And honestly? She deserved to be.

Jalen ran a hand over his face, letting out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "You're trouble, you know that?"

Megan raised a brow, her voice smooth. "And yet... you seem to like it."

Jalen exhaled, his dark eyes dragging over her body. "Oh, I do. But now? Now it's my turn."

Megan's smirk faltered, just slightly. Because the way he said it? It sent a thrill down her spine. Jalen stood, his full height towering over her, his hands gripping her waist before she could say another word. Megan let out a soft gasp as he turned her around, pressing her flat against the table, her chest against the cool surface.

His lips brushed against her ear, his voice low, deep, commanding. "I hope you're ready, Megan."

Megan let out a soft, breathless laugh, her fingers gripping the edge of the table. "You have no idea how ready I am."

Jalen smirked. "Good."

And with that, he gave her everything. Megan barely had time to process before Jalen's strong hands gripped the back of her dress, slowly lifting it up over her hips. The cool air kissed her bare skin, sending a shiver down her spine as she braced herself against the table. She could feel his presence behind her, the heat of him, the energy crackling between them. Her breath hitched as Jalen ran his fingertips over her exposed thighs, trailing up with deliberate slowness.

"You were so eager to please me," he murmured, his voice low, teasing. "Now it's my turn."

Megan's fingers curled around the table's edge. Her heart pounded. Her body burned.

Jalen bent down and pulled her red panties off. Megan gracefully stepped out of them as the fell down her legs and onto the floor. Jalen then spread her ass cheeks wide. Megan's breath hitched again before her mouth curved into a satisfying smile. Jalen then buried his face into her ass. He began to lick her hole. And then the other one.

"Oooooh my gooodd!!!! Fuuuuuckkk yes!!" Megan cried out.

Jalen's tongue continued to thrash about licking all of the outer area of both her holes. Megan had never had a man willing to eat her ass and pussy out like this. And it felt better than she could have ever imagined. Tidal waves of pleasure continued to surge through her as Jalen's tongue continued to do the lord's work back there. Holy shit it felt incredible. Jalen alternated between thrashing his tongue around her g-spot and sucking on her clit. At one point, Megan's eyes seemingly went into the back of her head from sheer pleasure. As the minutes went by, her climax swelled and swelled, and before she even knew what was happening, it ripped through her like a lightning bolt from Zeus. Megan screamed with pleasure, which reverberated through the entire suite as the orgasm tore through her body. She only hoped no one who might've heard her would mistake it as a scream for help. Jalen's tongue and lips didn't stop licking and sucking until she was spent. Once she came down from the high, she slumped against the table, trying desperately to catch her breath. But Jalen wasn't done.

His dick had now recovered and was ready to do a more thorough inspection inside of her vagina. Jalen pulled out his rejuvenated dick and rubbed the tip against the entrance of her vagina teasing the hell out of Megan. God, she wanted it. She wanted to be so thoroughly fucked by him, it was insane.

"Fuck Jalen, just fuck me, please!" She pleaded.

And then... he pressed inside her. Megan let out a broken gasp, her head dropping as she felt every inch of him stretching her completely. Jalen moved agonizingly slow, making sure she felt everything. Every inch. Every stroke. Every deep, deliberate thrust. Megan's mouth parted, a helpless moan slipping out as Jalen gripped her waist, his hands firm, possessive. Her gold high heels dug into the floor, giving her just enough leverage to push back against him.

And Jalen? Jalen groaned at the way she clenched around him, how ready, how wet, how perfect she felt. "Damn, Megan..."

Megan bit her lip, her voice shaking. "Jalen--please--"

That was all it took. That single pleading word. Because he lost all restraint. Jalen pulled back only to slam deep into her again, the impact making Megan let out a shocked, desperate cry. And then he did it again. And again. Until there was nothing slow left about it. Just raw, primal need. Just the sound of ass cheeks clapping, of desperate moans, of the table shaking beneath their movements. Megan couldn't breathe, couldn't think. Chris had never made her feel like this. No man had. Only Jalen. He owned her in this moment, every hard stroke sending her closer to the edge as it rubbed her spot just right.

Jalen gritted his teeth, his voice rough, hungry. "This what you wanted?"

Megan moaned, barely able to speak. "Y-yes! Oh my God--yes!"

Jalen smirked against the nape of her neck, his hands gripping her hips tighter, holding her exactly where he wanted her. "Then take it."

And Megan? Megan did. She took everything he gave her. And she never wanted it to stop. Megan was completely lost in him, in the way Jalen filled her, consumed her, ruined her. Her body burned with pleasure, every deep, relentless thrust sending her closer to the edge, but it still wasn't enough. She needed more. She needed all of him. With a desperate gasp, she reached back blindly, her fingers finding the back of Jalen's neck.

And before he could react. She pulled him down into a kiss. Their lips crashed together, hungry and reckless, a clash of heat, teeth, and desire. She could taste her own pussy juice on his mouth from when he ate her out a minute ago. Jalen groaned against her mouth, never slowing his pace, never relenting, his hands still gripping her hips, keeping her exactly where he wanted her. Megan moaned into the kiss, her body shaking beneath him, her back arching as she tried to pull him even deeper inside her. Her lipstick smeared across his mouth, but neither of them cared. The kiss was sloppy, desperate, consuming. A reflection of everything they'd been holding back.

And Jalen? Jalen was completely lost in her now. She was his. And he wasn't stopping until she knew it. Jalen pulled away from the kiss, his breath ragged, his voice deep and rough against her ear. "Come for me again, Megan."

Somehow, that was all it took to push her over the edge. Megan's entire body tensed beneath him, her nails digging into the table, her heels slipping against the floor as the pleasure crashed over her. She cried out, her body trembling, shaking, completely undone. Jalen held her tight, thrusting through her orgasm, dragging out every last wave of pleasure until she was panting, weak, spent. Megan collapsed onto the table, her cheek resting against the cool surface, her eyes still hazy from the intensity of it all. And behind her? Jalen wasn't done. Not yet. Not until he gave her everything.

Jalen sat back in the armless chair, his breath still heavy, his body still on fire for her. Megan, her legs still weak from her orgasm, let him pull her onto his lap, her legs draping on either side of him. Her dress was still bunched around her waist, but not for long. With one smooth motion, Megan reached down and pulled it over her head, tossing it to the side. Now, she was in nothing but a black lace bra and her gold high heels.

And Jalen? Jalen had never seen anything sexier in his life. "Damn, Megan..." he murmured, his hands trailing up her bare waist, over her ribs, cupping the sides of her full, heaving chest.

Megan smirked, placing both hands on his face, forcing him to look only at her. "I'm not done with you yet."

And before he could even respond. She lowered herself onto him. Jalen groaned, his head falling back slightly, his hands gripping her hips tight as she took him back inside her. Megan let out a soft, shuddering moan, her lips parting as she rolled her hips in slow, deliberate circles. She wasn't rushing. She wasn't slamming down on him. She was taking her time, savoring every inch of him, making him feel all of her. Jalen's hands trailed down, gripping the curve of her ass, helping guide her movements as she rocked against him. Megan arched her back, her head tilting back, her long dark hair cascading behind her as she moved exactly how she wanted to. She was in control now. And the way Jalen's fingers dug into her skin, the way his teeth clenched as he fought to hold on. She could tell he loved every second of it. Megan leaned in, pressing her forehead against his, her breath mixing with his as she kept rolling her hips, slow, deep, intoxicating.

"Look at me, Jalen," she whispered.

Jalen opened his eyes, locking onto her intense blue gaze. And in that moment? Megan wasn't just any woman. And whatever this was? Neither of them would ever be the same after it. Jalen's grip on Megan's hips tightened, his fingers digging into her skin as she rode him with slow, deep precision, taking him to the edge but never letting him fall. She was in full control. She moved exactly how she wanted to, rolling her hips deliberately, making sure he felt everything. Jalen was losing himself completely. His breathing grew heavier, his jaw clenched, his muscles tensed beneath her.

"Megan... damn..." he groaned, barely holding on, his self-control slipping with every slow, perfect movement.

Megan leaned forward, her hands tangled in his short hair, her breath hot against his ear. And then, she whispered the words that changed everything.

"I wanna have your baby..."

Jalen's breath hitched. His hands froze on her hips. For a second, the world stopped. Then he said...,"Then let me give you one."

Megan moaned, pressing her forehead against his, her eyes locking onto his as she moved just a little faster, a little harder. Jalen groaned deeply, his entire body tightening beneath her. Neither of them held back now. This wasn't just pleasure. This wasn't just lust. This was a choice. A deliberate, reckless, primal choice. And now? There was no turning back.

Jalen's grip tightened even more; his breathing ragged as he felt himself reaching the edge. Megan clung to him, rolling her hips deep, steady, relentless, chasing his final wave of pleasure.

"Jalen... please..." she whispered, her voice trembling, her body desperate for him to let go completely.

A moment later, with a deep, low groan, Jalen finally gave her everything, his semen spilling deep inside her as she let out a soft, broken cry of satisfaction. Their bodies shook together, tangled in pleasure, wrapped in the heat of the moment, knowing exactly what they had just done. Megan stayed straddled on top of him, breathing hard, her forehead still pressed against his, both of them feeling the weight of the moment settling in. She wasn't on birth control. She didn't ask him to pull out. She didn't want him to. And now? Now, there was no question. She had let Jalen claim her completely. Megan's chest rose and fell against Jalen's, her breath still shaky, heavy, full of everything she couldn't put into words. She was still straddling him, still connected to him, her body still buzzing from the pleasure and the weight of what they had just done. But as the moment settled around them, as the heat of their bodies mingled in the dim light of the suite, there was no regret. None at all. Instead? Megan felt something she hadn't felt in years. She felt alive. Truly, undeniably, completely alive. And so, without hesitation, without doubt, without second-guessing herself, she kissed him. Jalen barely had a chance to breathe before Megan's soft, warm lips pressed against his, her hands cradling his face, her nails still trailing lightly against his scalp. It wasn't desperate. It wasn't rushed. It was deep, slow, full of meaning. Full of acceptance. Full of certainty. Jalen groaned softly against her mouth, his hands gliding up her back, pressing her even closer. He could feel her heartbeat against his. He could feel her warmth surrounding him. And as Megan deepened the kiss, pouring every bit of herself into it, Jalen knew. She was his now. And he was hers. Megan pulled back slightly, her forehead still pressed against his, her eyes searching his. There was no fear. No guilt. No doubt. Just something real. Something unshakable.

Megan let out a soft, content sigh, her fingers trailing down Jalen's jaw. "That was everything I needed."

Jalen smirked slightly, his hands still resting on her hips. "Yeah?"

Megan nodded, smiling for the first time in what felt like forever. "Yeah."

She had made her choice. She wasn't trapped anymore. And no matter what came next, she wouldn't change a thing. Megan let out a soft, content sigh, her body still warm, still tingling, still completely wrapped in the afterglow of everything they had just shared. She wasn't ready to move. Wasn't ready to let go. So instead, she curled up in Jalen's arms, her body molding into his, her cheek resting against the solid warmth of his chest. Jalen exhaled, his hands gently trailing up and down her back, his touch slow, soothing, reassuring. Neither of them spoke. Neither of them needed to. They just breathed together. Just felt together. Just existed in a moment that felt too perfect to let slip away too soon. Jalen stared at the ceiling, his arm wrapped securely around Megan's waist, holding her against him as if letting go might somehow break the spell they had fallen into. This was different. Sydney had been passionate, fiery, unfiltered. Kristen had been tentative, forbidden, but electric. But Megan? Megan was something else entirely. What they had just done felt like a shift. A shift in her life. A shift in his life. A shift in everything. This was about Megan. About the woman in his arms. About how he had just given her something no other man ever had. And how deep down he knew he would do it all over again. Megan traced absentminded circles on Jalen's bare chest, her eyes half-lidded, her body completely at peace. This was what she had been missing. Not just sex. Not just pleasure. But this. This warmth. This intimacy. This certainty. She didn't feel like a possession. Didn't feel like a trophy. She felt like a woman. A woman who was wanted. A woman who was adored. A woman who was finally free. And the craziest part? She didn't feel guilty at all. She had just let Jalen claim her completely. And now she never wanted any other man to touch her again.

Jalen pressed a soft kiss to the top of Megan's head, his voice low, intimate. "You good?"

Megan smiled against his skin, her fingers lightly tracing over his heartbeat. "Yeah." She whispered softly.

Jalen chuckled, his arms tightening around her. Megan sighed again, letting herself sink even deeper into him. She knew things wouldn't be easy. She knew Chris was still out there. She knew the future was uncertain. But for now, she just wanted to stay right here. Because whatever came next, she wasn't doing it alone anymore.

***************************************************

Luckily, Chris wasn't scheduled to be back until Sunday night. And on Saturday morning, Megan had the pleasure of waking up on Jalen's bare chest. Megan stirred slowly, the warmth of the sun filtering through the sheer curtains of the Westin suite. For a moment, she was disoriented. For a moment, she forgot where she was. Then, she felt it-- The steady rise and fall of Jalen's bare chest beneath her. The strong, secure warmth of his arms still wrapped around her. The faint scent of his skin--a mix of sweat, sex, and something deeply masculine. And then it all came rushing back. Megan's lips curled into a satisfied smile as she let her fingers trace absentmindedly over Jalen's skin, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her palm.

Last night had been...Everything. The slow dinner. The way he looked at her like she was the only woman in the world. The way he made love to her--deep, intense, unforgettable. And the way he held her afterward? Like he never wanted to let her go. Megan sighed, pressing a soft kiss to his chest, just above his heart. She had no regrets. None. But she also had no idea what came next.

Jalen's arms tightened slightly around Megan's waist, his breathing shifting as he stirred awake. He let out a low, lazy groan, his hand sliding up her back, his fingers tangling in her long dark hair. "Mmm... morning."

Megan smirked against his skin. "Morning."

Jalen cracked one eye open, his deep brown gaze landing on her, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Damn... I could get used to this."

Megan let out a soft laugh, propping herself up slightly, her blue eyes glowing with mischief. "Oh yeah?" she teased. "Waking up with me?"

Jalen reached up, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, his voice low and full of meaning. "Waking up with you in my arms... knowing you're mine."

Megan's breath hitched. Because the way he said it? It wasn't just casual. It wasn't just words. It was a statement. A truth. And for the first time in her entire marriage, she actually felt like she belonged to someone. Not as a possession. Not as a trophy. Not as something to be controlled. But as a woman who was wanted. Who was cherished. Who was free.

A couple of hours later, the late morning sunlight poured into the suite, casting a soft, golden glow over the room. Megan sat perched on a barstool at the kitchen island, her long legs crossed, her body bare except for Jalen's button-down shirt draped loosely over her frame. The sleeves were too long, the fabric slightly oversized, but she loved it. Loved the way it smelled like him. Loved the way it felt against her bare skin. Loved the way it reminded her of last night. She propped her elbow on the counter, resting her chin on her hand, watching Jalen move around the kitchen. His broad, shirtless back faced her, his toned muscles shifting with every movement as he stood at the stove, flipping pancakes with effortless ease. The only thing he wore was a pair of black boxer briefs that hung low on his hips, teasing her with glimpses of everything she had spent all night indulging in. And Megan? She had never felt more at peace. She watched Jalen with a soft, unreadable expression, her blue eyes tracing the lines of his strong shoulders, his defined arms, the way he seemed so comfortable, so in his element. It was strange. She had spent so many mornings sitting at the kitchen island in her own home, watching Chris drink his coffee, read his emails, or take calls about his cases. She had never felt like she belonged in those moments. Like she was just a piece of furniture in a house that wasn't really hers. But this? This was different. Here, in Jalen's shirt, in this suite, with the smell of pancakes and bacon filling the air. She felt like she was exactly where she was supposed to be.

Jalen turned, a freshly flipped pancake on the spatula, and caught Megan staring. His lips curled into a slow smirk. "You good over there?" he teased, setting the pancake onto a plate before moving toward her.

Megan bit her lip, her fingers idly playing with the cuffs of his shirt as she tilted her head. "Mmhmm. Just enjoying the view."

Jalen chuckled, placing his hands on the counter, leaning in just enough to make her feel his warmth. "Yeah?" His voice was low, teasing. "You like watching me cook?"

Megan smirked, her bare legs uncrossing slowly, just enough to give him a teasing glimpse of what was beneath his shirt. "I like watching you do... a lot of things."

Jalen exhaled sharply through his nose, shaking his head with a grin. "You're dangerous, Megan."

Megan reached for his hand, threading her fingers through his, rubbing her thumb absently over his knuckles. "And yet, you keep coming back for more."

Jalen leaned down, brushing his lips over hers, just enough to tease but not fully indulge. "Damn right, I do."

After they finish breakfast, Megan nestled comfortably in Jalen's lap, her arms wrapped loosely around his neck, her fingers idly playing with the short hairs at the back of his head. His warm, steady hands rested on her waist, his thumbs tracing small, absentminded circles against her skin. They had finished breakfast, their stomachs satisfied, but their minds were far from it. Because now it was time to face reality.

Jalen let out a slow breath, his fingers tightening slightly on her waist as he met her gaze. "I want to start strategizing how you can leave Chris."

Megan's breath hitched slightly, her heart thudding against her ribs. Not from fear. Not from uncertainty. But from realization. Because this was really happening. This wasn't just some reckless affair. This wasn't just about escaping for a night. Jalen wasn't just another man in her life. He was invested. He was serious. And for the first time, she felt like she had something she never had before. A partner. A real partner.

Megan swallowed, her fingers tracing over Jalen's jawline, her voice softer now. "You really mean that?"

Jalen tilted his head slightly, his brown eyes locked onto hers, his expression serious but steady. "Yeah, Megan. I do. You deserve better. And I don't want you staying with that man a second longer than you have to."

Megan exhaled sharply, her eyes flickering away for a moment as she tried to process the weight of this. She had thought about leaving Chris before. A hundred times. But every time, she told herself the same things: Where would I go? How would I support myself? Would Chris destroy me if I left? And now? For the first time, she wasn't thinking about how impossible it was. She was thinking about how to make it happen.

Megan's fingers tightened slightly around Jalen's neck, her forehead pressing against his. "Okay," she whispered. "Where do we start?"

Jalen rubbed his hands soothingly over her back, his mind already working through the steps. "First, we need to figure out your financial situation. You said he controls everything, right?"

Megan nodded, biting her lip. "Yeah. I don't have a personal account. Chris has one joint account for household expenses, and everything else is in his name."

Jalen's jaw ticked. That wasn't a marriage. That was ownership. "Then that's the first step. We need to set up a separate account for you, something private. Start putting away whatever you can. Cash, anything. We can find a way to transfer small amounts without raising suspicion."

Megan nodded slowly, her mind already racing. "Okay... I think I can do that."

Jalen continued, his voice low, firm. "Next, you need a plan for where to go. You can't just walk out without a safe place to land."

Megan's stomach twisted. Where could she go? She couldn't stay with her mother. Not in that tiny trailer back in South Georgia. She had no friends she could trust. And getting her own place would take time, money, and resources she didn't have.

Megan's fingers clenched slightly against Jalen's skin; her voice hesitant. "I don't have anywhere to go, Jalen..."

Jalen's expression softened, his fingers gently brushing her cheek. "Then stay with me."

Megan's breath caught. She pulled back slightly, her blue eyes searching his. "Are you serious?"

Jalen nodded without hesitation. "Of course. I don't want you out there alone. My place isn't a mansion, but it's safe. You can stay with me until you get back on your feet."

Megan stared at him, her heart hammering, her chest tight with something she couldn't even name. Chris had never put her first. Chris had never offered her security. Chris had never made her feel like she had options. And yet here was Jalen. A man she had only known for weeks already offering her more than Chris ever had in years.

She swallowed hard, blinking back unexpected emotion. "I don't know what to say..."

Jalen cupped her face gently, his thumbs brushing over her cheekbones. "Say yes."

She smiles.

***************************************************

After some discussion, Megan and Jalen come up with a cohesive plan that they both agree would give Megan the best chance to get away from Chris without him being able to find her and potentially retaliate. Megan would gather any and all evidence she can on Chris' patterns of infidelity and his financial oppression of her. Jalen would help Megan open her own banking account. Megan would then discreetly sell some of her expensive belongings that she didn't care much about and put the cash into the account. After Jalen completes the work on the wine cellar, gets paid, and Megan has acquired all the evidence and money that she can, she would flee the house during Chris' next scheduled trip out of town.

Megan sat firmly on Jalen's lap, her hands resting on his chest, her mind sharper than ever.

She had spent years feeling trapped. Years thinking there was no way out. Years convincing herself that she had no power. But now? Now she had a plan. And she wasn't going to be any man's prisoner anymore.

Megan knew Chris had been cheating for years. She had seen the late-night texts, the hushed phone calls, the lipstick stains on his collars. She had heard his flimsy excuses, had smelled the perfume that wasn't hers. But she had never documented anything. She had never needed proof until now.

"I'm going to start collecting everything," Megan said, her voice steady, determined. "I'll check his emails when I can, take photos of his messages, and see if I can pull bank statements that show any suspicious spending."

Jalen nodded, his fingers absently tracing circles against her thighs, listening intently.

"Smart. Anything that shows financial control over you, too. Transactions that prove he keeps you dependent. If you can find anything illegal? Even better."

Megan smirked slightly. "Chris is dirty, Jalen. If I dig deep enough, I know I'll find something."

"Good," Jalen murmured. "Because we're not just getting you out. We're making sure he can't chase you afterward."

Megan's stomach twisted in anticipation. She wasn't just leaving. She was taking her power back.

"I'll start selling things," Megan said, her mind already racing through the expensive jewelry, designer bags, and luxury shoes that Chris had gifted her over the years. She never wore half of it. And she definitely didn't need it now. "The things I don't care about, I'll sell quietly through consignment, pawn shops, whatever I have to do. That'll give me some cash to work with."

Jalen's smirk widened slightly. "Damn, I love watching you scheme."

Megan rolled her eyes but grinned anyway. "I learned from the best, didn't I?"

Jalen leaned in, brushing a slow, teasing kiss against her lips. "Damn right you did."

Megan leaned back slightly, running a hand through her messy, tousled hair. "Once I have the money and the evidence, I'll wait for Chris' next trip."

Chris always had business trips scheduled in advance. He was predictable. Careless. And when he was gone? She would be gone, too.

Jalen exhaled, his fingers tightening on her waist. "You sure about this?"

Megan tilted her head, meeting his gaze. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life."

Megan felt a rush of emotion flood through her. Chris would have laughed in her face if she ever suggested a plan of her own. Chris would have dismissed her, belittled her, made her feel stupid. But Jalen? Jalen was giving her control. Letting her take the lead. Treating her like an equal. And that? That meant more than she could ever explain.

Megan cupped Jalen's face, her thumbs brushing over his cheekbones, her blue eyes glowing with certainty. "This is it, Jalen. This is how I get my life back."

Jalen nodded slowly, his grip firm and steady on her. "Then let's make it happen."

And then, she kissed him. Not just with passion. Not just with desire. But with gratitude. With certainty. With power. Because this wasn't just a secret love affair anymore. This was a revolution. And together? They were going to burn it all down.

Megan and Jalen spent all of Saturday together, wrapped in their own little world, a world that felt more real than anything else in their lives. The day was perfect. Couples' massages that left them both relaxed and weightless, Jalen's strong hands finding her in the dimly lit spa, tracing over her soft, freshly oiled skin in ways that made her shiver. Lunch and dinner at hidden gems across the city, savoring dishes they fed to each other with teasing grins and lingering touches under the table. They were careful. No obvious PDA. No strolling hand-in-hand through busy streets. No recklessness. Because if someone in Chris' circles saw them together? It could ruin everything. But even with the secrecy, even with the restraint, it was still the best day Megan had experienced in years. She was free. At least, for now.

By the time they returned to the Westin suite, the need for each other was too strong to hold back. They didn't just make love. They devoured each other. Megan rode Jalen slow and deep, her hands tangled in his short curls, their bodies rocking in perfect rhythm, their moans swallowed by hungry kisses. When Jalen neared his peak, Megan got off him, told him to stand up, while she got on her knees. She opened wide and wrapped her lips around his enormous cock. She bobbed her head slowly, taking him in as deep as she could without making herself gag. Both of her hands wrapped around his cock squeezing it and moving in a corkscrew motion following her mouth. Jalen eyes nearly went into the back of his head with how good it felt. It was perfection. His cock didn't stand a chance to hold out for more than a couple of more minutes. What he didn't know yet was that Megan wanted something different this time.

Megan's face had a look of pure determination as she continued her movements furiously on his long, hard cock. She could feel that he must be really close, she released him from her mouth and began to solely use both of her hands to pump Jalen's cock furiously. Her hands were already moist from a combination of her saliva and his precum. It didn't take long for her to get what she so eagerly waited for and within about twenty seconds of pumping, she was rewarded with her prize. Jalen's breath suddenly came hissing through gritted teeth and quickly turned into a full-on growl as he finally released. The first spurt of his cum shot out of his tip landing right on the bridge of Megan's nose.

"Mmmm..." she purred.

She continued to pump. The next squirt of his cum came more forcefully and splattered right on her mouth. Another burst of cum landed across Megan's left cheek. The next spurt hit right on her top lip and a little went into her nostrils. Jalen wasn't quite done yet and the next cum blast went right into her mouth where she gleefully tasted it and swallowed. Jalen's climax started to wane and when the spurts finally subsided, Megan's mouth greedily enveloped his cock and sucked, getting out the last of his semen. She stroked him slowly, making sure she got every last drop before finally letting him go. Jalen looked down on her and couldn't help but smile at the sexy, naughty woman who was kneeled in front of him. Megan's face was almost totally covered in his cum. She even got a little in her eye. That didn't bother her though as she was smiling with satisfaction. Jalen couldn't help but feel a deep sense of satisfaction, pride, and appreciation for a woman who was willing to let her man use her face as a canvas for his cum.

"You are so fucking sexy..." Jalen said grinning.

Megan licked her mouth, tasting and swallowing more of his cum as she stood up. She loved being Jalen's naughty girl. He was the only man she felt comfortable being this scandalous, this freaky with. She smiled a devilish smile cum face and everything. "I think it's a good look on me, don't you?"

Jalen, if possible, grinned even more. "It's the perfect look on you," he responded.

Megan purred again before walking past him heading to the bathroom, stripping the last of her clothes off as she headed to the shower. Jalen followed.

Later that night for their final round before sleep, Jalen pinned Megan to the bed, his body pressing into hers, his lips trailing down her throat, whispering how badly he wanted her, how no one else would ever have her like this again. He then pressed his cock inside of her, which Megan and her vagina happily embraced. Megan let out a sharp gasp from the intense sensation of him burrowing his way deep into her pussy. She closed her eyes and grinned as she felt Jalen at maximum hardness reach further inside of her than any man had before. Her nude-colored acrylic nails dug into his back as he thrusted hard into her. Megan was sure that it hurt him with how hard her nails were digging in, but he didn't acknowledge it, and, if anything, it only seemed to fuel Jalen more. This in turn only made Megan want him more and as a result her arms, hands, and legs only clutched him harder as his thrusts became even more intense. Each thrust hurt a little but that only made it more arousing. Megan loved the fact that his cock was so long and girthy that her pussy was struggling to accommodate it without some kind of strain. The penetration was intoxicating.

"Who needs anything else when you have Jalen's cock?" She thought smiling to herself as he continued to move inside of her.

Jalen was clearly fucking her for the sake of his own release now and she loved it. Jalen's face was buried into her neck emitting low grunts as he continued to drill his dick inside of her. A few moments later, Megan felt Jalen's body tense up and his grunts became more primal and louder. He then unloaded into her, spraying pulses of his cum all over the walls of her vagina. Megan gave a "hmmm" of satisfaction as she felt him unload into her. She loved that her pussy could make him feel so good enough to cum like this. She loved that he could find solace and peace with her body. She loved being thoroughly claimed by him. And when he finally rolled off of her into the sheets, sweaty, tangled with her, and breathless, neither of them wanted to move. Megan curled against Jalen's broad chest, her fingers absently tracing over his abs, listening to the slow, steady rhythm of his heartbeat. She could feel his cum oozing out of her pussy and serving as a reminder of her belonging to him. Jalen's arm draped over her waist, his fingers running up and down her spine, keeping her close, safe, cherished. And for the first time in a very long time, Megan felt loved. Not owned. Not controlled. Not like a trophy. But wanted. Desired for who she was.

"Jalen?" Megan murmured, tilting her head up to meet his eyes.

"Yeah?" Jalen's fingers brushed over her cheek, his voice deep and low, full of undeniable affection.

Megan hesitated for a moment, then softly confessed, "I don't think I knew what love was supposed to feel like before you."

Jalen's eyes darkened, something deep flickering behind them. He pressed a slow, tender kiss to her forehead, lingering there. "Me neither."

Megan's breath caught. Because she could hear the honesty in his voice. "I never knew what it was like to just... be myself with someone. To feel safe. To feel like I matter outside of what I can give them."

Jalen's grip on her tightened, protectively. "You matter, Megan. To me."

Megan swallowed hard, feeling warmth flood her chest, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her. She hadn't expected this. She hadn't expected Jalen. And now? She couldn't imagine letting him go.

As the sun rose over Atlanta, Megan woke up still wrapped in Jalen's arms. For a brief moment, she forgot everything. Forgot about Chris. Forgot about the plan. Forgot about all the danger waiting for her back home. All she knew was this warmth. This man. This feeling she never wanted to end. But the real world was still waiting. And soon? She would have to face it. Megan and Jalen had to check out of the hotel that day and go their separate ways for now. Chris was scheduled to be back home that night and it would be best if Megan was there at the mansion when he arrived. Still, Megan now had a new resolve. A new fire that was lit thanks to Jalen. She had a man who made her feel loved even if he couldn't be her boyfriend right now. She had a plan to take her life back, and most importantly, she felt more alive than she ever has.

Later, Megan stood in the elevator of the Westin, her heart steady, her mind clearer than it had been in years. This was the last time she would ever have to return to that cold, lifeless mansion and feel powerless. Because now? She had a plan. She had a way out. And most importantly? She had Jalen. Not as a boyfriend. Not as someone who could swoop in and fix everything. Not as a knight in shining armor. But as a man who saw her. Who believed in her. Who made her feel like she was worth fighting for. And that? That was all she needed. Jalen walked her to her car, their fingers brushing briefly, lingering in a way that neither of them wanted to end. Megan turned to him, her blue eyes burning with something fierce, something unshakable. "I'm gonna do this, Jalen. I'm getting out."

Jalen exhaled slowly, his jaw tightening with something unreadable, but his hand lifted to cup her face gently. "I know you are."

Megan smirked slightly, leaning into his touch. "I love the way you look at me."

Jalen's lips twitched. "Yeah? How's that?"

Megan's voice dropped to a whisper. "Like I matter."

Jalen let out a soft breath, then leaned down, pressing one last lingering kiss against her lips. "You do."

The words settled deep in her chest, anchoring her, giving her strength for what was to come. And with that, she slipped into her car, giving him one last glance before pulling away. She didn't have to look in the mirror to know he was still watching her go. By the time Megan pulled into the gated driveway, her entire demeanor had shifted. Before, she used to feel trapped in this house. Like she was walking into a prison, into a cage. But now? Now she walked through those front doors with her head held high. Because this wasn't her home. This was just a temporary battlefield. And soon? She'd be walking out for good. Chris was coming back tonight. She had a role to play. She would smile, nod, and play the devoted wife just a little longer. But inside? Inside, she was already gone. Inside, she already belonged to someone else.

***************************************************

Jalen would continue his work on the wine cellar at the Westward mansion, however now there was a new factor. Megan and Jalen were now having sex at least once a day whenever he was working at the mansion. Although there were cameras in the house, there are none yet installed in the cellar where Jalen is working. So around 1:30 in the afternoon, Megan would walk down, usually wearing some combination of a blouse, pencil skirt, 'So Kate' 12-cm high heeled pumps, and lipstick, and go at it with Jalen. Chris was never home during the day, always either at the office, on the golf course, or visiting a mistress.

Megan's double life had officially begun. By day, she was still Chris Westward's wife. By 1:30 PM, she was Jalen's woman. And every time she stepped into that cellar, she felt more like herself than she ever had in her marriage. She wasn't just having sex. She was reclaiming herself. Every time she dropped to her knees, her red lips wrapping around Jalen's throbbing cock, she felt powerful. Every time he slammed her against the unfinished walls, lifting her effortlessly as her heels dug into his back, she felt desired. Every time he groaned her name into her neck, his deep thrusts claiming her body in ways Chris never could, she felt alive.

But Megan wasn't just losing herself in Jalen. She was building her future. She had been careful, meticulous, patient. The bank account was set up. $7,000 discreetly deposited. Expensive jewelry and designer items quietly sold. Pieces of evidence collected, Chris' emails, suspicious transactions, receipts for hotel stays he couldn't explain. Chris had no idea. No idea that his wife was fucking another man right under his nose. No idea that she was building an escape plan right under his roof. But Megan knew. And so did Jalen. And soon? Chris was going to find out the hard way.

Jalen only had two more weeks before his work on the wine cellar would be finished. That meant they only had two more weeks before Megan had to disappear. And the closer they got to the finish line... The more intense everything became. Every day, the sex was rougher, deeper, more desperate. Because they knew this affair had an expiration date. And when it was over? Chris wouldn't just let Megan go. Which meant Megan had to get out before he ever suspected a thing.

The following Sunday, Jalen spent the evening with Sydney Swanson. Sydney could hardly believe the crazy story Jalen just told her about Megan Westward, their affair, and their plan to get her out of her marriage. Jalen sat on Sydney's couch, running a hand down his face as he finished telling her the insane situation with Megan.

Sydney, sitting cross-legged beside him, stared at him like she could barely process it all. "Holy shit."

Jalen let out a breath, shaking his head. "Yeah. It's a lot."

Sydney blinked a few times, then leaned back against the cushions, her blonde hair spilling over her shoulders as she exhaled. "Okay, first of all-- you really are something else."

Jalen raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah?"

Sydney smirked. "Yeah. First me, then Kristen, now Megan? And not just any Megan, but a married woman who's trying to escape a rich, powerful, and shady-ass husband?"

She shook her head, clearly impressed. "Jalen, I have never met a guy like you. Like, ever."

Jalen chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I don't even know how I got here."

Sydney tilted her head, studying him. "Because you actually give a shit. That's how."

After a moment, Sydney's playful expression faded, replaced with something more serious.

"Listen," she said, shifting closer to him. "You said your plan was for Megan to move in with you after she leaves Chris, right?"

Jalen nodded. "Yeah, but only temporarily. Just so she has somewhere safe."

Sydney shook her head immediately. "No. She shouldn't come to your place."

Jalen frowned. "Why not?"

Sydney exhaled sharply. "Think about it. Chris is going to come looking for her. And if he finds out she had an affair, you're going to be the first person he suspects. You think he won't check your place?"

Jalen fell silent, his mind already racing. Damn. She's right.

Sydney continued, her voice firm. "She needs to go to a women's shelter. Somewhere Chris can't track her. Those places are protected. He won't be able to find her, and they can connect her to a lawyer who specializes in helping women escape abusive or controlling marriages. Also make sure she wipes her phone and leaves it at the mansion."

Jalen slowly nodded, the logic clicking into place. "That... actually makes perfect sense."

Sydney smirked. "Of course it does. I'm a genius."

Jalen grinned before reaching out, grabbing her by the waist, and pulling her onto his lap.

Sydney gasped in surprise, but it quickly turned into a soft, breathy laugh as Jalen cupped her face, his lips crushing against hers.

She kissed him back eagerly, her hands threading through his hair, melting into the appreciation, the heat, the unspoken gratitude.

By the time Jalen pulled back, his forehead resting against hers, he murmured, "Thank you."

Sydney smiled, running her fingers down his chest. "Always."

***************************************************

Jalen finished the wine cellar four days ahead of schedule, and Chris rushed home like an excited child to admire his latest luxury addition. Megan watched from the side as Chris gushed over the craftsmanship, the sleek shelving, the temperature control system Jalen had installed. Chris, the same man who could barely look at her most days, was now grinning ear to ear over a damn wine cellar.

"This is... incredible. Just perfect." Chris turned to Jalen, clapping a firm hand on his shoulder. "You really outdid yourself, man."

Jalen nodded, forcing a polite, professional smile. "Appreciate that. Glad you're happy with it."

Chris smirked. "Happy? I can't wait to show this off. Maybe I should have you remodel my entire damn house."

Jalen chuckled, keeping it cool, but internally, he knew this was it. The job was done. His contract was complete. And soon? Megan would be gone.

Later that day, Megan slipped into the cellar. Chris was upstairs on the phone with a business partner, or more likely, a mistress. Megan knows that her time remaining in this house is short. The house where she had felt trapped. The house where she had been treated like an object. The house where she had found herself sneaking off to be with Jalen, the one person who truly made her feel alive. Jalen was packing up his tools, finishing the last of his cleanup.

Megan leaned against the doorway, watching him for a moment. "So, this is it?" she asked softly.

Jalen turned to her; his brown eyes dark, unreadable. "Yeah."

A beat of silence stretched between them. And then, without another word, Megan walked over and kissed him. It was slow, deep, and unhurried. Not the usual frantic, desperate passion they had shared these last few weeks. This was different. This was goodbye. Jalen cupped her face, kissing her back just as slowly, savoring it, knowing this was the last time they'd be in this house together.

"You ready?" he murmured.

Megan exhaled, resting her forehead against his. "I have to be." And with that, the plan was officially in motion.

Jalen got his check from Chris before leaving the mansion for the final time. Jalen cashed the check the very next morning, making sure there were no delays, no issues.

Chris had even included a bonus, making this his highest payday yet. But the money? That wasn't the real prize. The real win was that Jalen's business with Chris was done. No more contracts. No more reasons to go back to the mansion. No more ties keeping him around. Now, the only thing left to do is get Megan the hell out of there. The next time Chris went out of town, Megan would walk out of that house for good. The plan was airtight.

Megan had gathered enough money in her private account. She had a growing collection of damning evidence against Chris. Jalen had finalized shelter arrangements for her, ensuring she had protection. Everything was set. All Megan had to do was wait for the perfect moment. And soon? That moment would come.

***************************************************

That same evening, somewhere across Atlanta, Kristen Stanley sat across from her fiancé, Rob Patton, her heart pounding as she finally said the words she had been holding in for months.

"I can't do this anymore, Rob."

Rob, who had barely looked up from his phone, finally lifted his gaze, confusion creasing his brow. "What do you mean?"

Kristen took a deep breath, her hands clasped together on the table, trying to steady herself. "I mean I'm not going to wait forever for you to figure out your career while I sit here feeling unseen and unloved."

Rob scoffed, leaning back in his chair. "Kristen, we've talked about this. This is a crucial time for me, and I need to focus--"

"And I need more than just a placeholder relationship."

Rob's jaw tensed, his frustration flashing across his face. "So, what are you saying? You want to break up?"

Kristen's heart pounded in her chest, but she stayed firm. "I'm saying... I've already fallen for someone else."

Rob's entire demeanor shifted. His posture stiffened, his expression darkening. "...What?"

Kristen held his gaze, refusing to back down. "I didn't mean for it to happen, but it did. And it made me realize how much I've been missing in this relationship."

Rob was silent for a long moment. Then he said, "Who is it?" His voice was cold, almost threatening.

Kristen exhaled. "That doesn't matter."

"Bullshit." His hand slammed on the table, making her flinch slightly. "You don't just drop something like that and expect me not to ask."

Kristen's fingers clenched together. She would not tell him. Because this wasn't about Jalen. This was about her.

The moment the words left Kristen's lips; Rob's entire demeanor shifted. His initial shock was quickly replaced by something colder, harder. His jaw clenched, his hands gripping the table like he was physically restraining himself. "...So that's it?" His voice was dangerously low. "You're just gonna throw away everything we've built?"

Kristen swallowed, keeping her voice steady. "Rob, we haven't built anything. Not really."

"Bullshit," he snapped, shaking his head. "I've been busting my ass to set us up for the future-- our future--and now you're just running off because you 'fell for someone else'?"

Kristen's chest tightened, but she refused to let his words shake her. "Rob, listen to yourself. You just said it--'busting your ass to set us up for the future.' What about right now? What about me, right now? You don't even see me, and you haven't for a long time."

Rob let out a sharp, humorless laugh. "That's what this is about? You need more attention? Jesus, Kristen, do you have any idea how selfish you sound?"

Kristen's fingers curled into fists on her lap. Selfish. He was really going to sit here and call her selfish after she had spent years waiting for him to put even half as much energy into their relationship as he did into his job? No. Not this time.

Rob leaned forward, his blue eyes hard and unrelenting. "What happened to loyalty? To commitment? To actually standing by someone through the hard times?"

Kristen's breath hitched, but she didn't let it show. This is what he does. He twists things, makes her feel like she's in the wrong, makes her question herself. But not this time. Kristen exhaled slowly, then met his gaze head-on. "Loyalty isn't supposed to mean sacrificing yourself for someone who doesn't give anything back."

Rob's expression flickered. Just for a second. But he recovered quickly. "And what about me? What am I supposed to do now, Kristen? Just move on like none of this ever mattered?"

Kristen hesitated. She didn't want to hurt him. But she couldn't lie to him, either. "You'll be fine, Rob."

Rob's jaw tightened. "Yeah? And what about this guy you 'fell for'?" His voice was sharp now, full of barely restrained anger. "What's so special about him? What does he have that I don't?"

Kristen closed her eyes for a brief second, steadying herself. Then, she gave him the only answer that mattered. "He sees me."

Kristen had said her piece. She had laid everything out clearly, explained why she couldn't stay in this relationship any longer. But Rob wasn't having it. His anger flickered into something more desperate--more manipulative. He leaned forward, voice lower now, almost like he was pleading.

"Kristen, you're making a mistake."

Kristen sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Rob--"

"No, listen to me." His eyes were sharp, unyielding. "I get that you're frustrated. I get that you feel like I haven't been giving you enough attention. But this? Throwing it all away over some random guy? That's not you, Kristen."

Kristen's stomach twisted. This is exactly what he does. He dismisses her feelings. He twists her words to make her seem irrational. He pretends this is just a phase--something she'll snap out of. But this wasn't a phase. And she wasn't going to snap out of anything.

Rob sighed, shaking his head like he was disappointed. "You think you love this guy?" His voice was laced with skepticism.

Kristen hesitated for just a second, but that was all Rob needed.

"See?" He spread his hands. "You don't even know. You're willing to throw away everything we've built over a crush."

Kristen's fists clenched. "It's not a crush, Rob."

"Oh yeah? What is it then?" His eyes darkened. "Because it sure as hell isn't love. Not real love."

Kristen exhaled sharply. "Rob, do you even know what real love is?"

That shut him up. Just for a moment. But then, his jaw tightened. "Of course I do."

Kristen shook her head. "No, you don't. Because if you did, you wouldn't be trying to manipulate me into staying when I'm telling you I'm unhappy."

Rob's face twisted with frustration. "I'm not trying to manipulate you, Kristen--I'm trying to get you to wake up! You're about to ruin your life over a damn fling."

Kristen's heart pounded, but she refused to let him break her resolve. She had been gaslit enough in this relationship. Not anymore. "I'm not ruining my life, Rob." She stood up, grabbing her purse.

Rob stood up too, his movements tense, controlled. "You're going to regret this." His voice was cold now.

Kristen paused, looking back at him. "No, I won't."

Rob's nostrils flared. "You think he's going to stick around? That he's actually going to give you the fairytale you're chasing?"

Kristen didn't respond. Because the truth was, she didn't know where things with Jalen were going. But she did know one thing. She was done settling. For anything. And with that, she walked out of the kitchen. Before leaving, Kristen walked to the dining table, slipping the engagement ring off her finger. She didn't hesitate. She didn't second-guess. She simply set it down. A small, delicate thing, sitting there in the dim lighting--a symbol of a future she no longer wanted.

Rob stared at it, his face unreadable, his hands clenched into fists. "So that's it." His voice was low, distant.

Kristen lifted her gaze, her expression calm, resolute. "Yeah. That's it."

She could see anger simmering beneath his exterior. But he didn't lash out.

Instead, he let out a sharp breath through his nose and muttered, "Unbelievable."

Kristen didn't respond. She turned and walked toward the stairs, not to their shared bedroom, but to the guest room downstairs.

She heard him scoff behind her, but she didn't stop. Didn't slow down. Didn't look back. The moment the door shut behind her, Kristen exhaled heavily, pressing her hands to her face. She had done it. She had finally done it. But instead of relief, all she felt was exhaustion. The weight of the conversation, the years of emotional neglect, the way Rob had tried to guilt her into staying--it all sat heavy in her chest. She climbed into the guest bed, curling up beneath the blankets. Her phone lay beside her. She stared at the screen.

Should she text Jalen? She didn't want to burden him. But she also didn't want to be alone with her thoughts. After a long pause, she opened her messages. And typed.

Jalen was sitting in his apartment, scrolling through shelter options for Megan just to be sure he was thorough, when his phone vibrated. He glanced down, not expecting anything urgent. But then he saw the name on the screen.

Kristen. And the message?

"Rob and I are over."

Jalen blinked. He reread it. Then read it again. A slow exhale left his lips as he sat back against the couch, staring at the words. It had finally happened. Kristen had left him.

He felt a wave of emotions hit him all at once.

Relief. Because Kristen had finally made the choice, he always knew she needed to make. Pride. Because it took real courage to walk away from a long-term relationship. Uncertainty. Because now, Kristen was completely free, and that made things... more complicated. Was she coming to him now? Did she expect something serious right away? Could he even give her that, given everything else happening in his life? His thumb hovered over the keyboard. Then, finally, he typed back.

"I'm glad you chose yourself, Kristen. You deserve that."

He hesitated for a second, then added:

"How are you feeling?"

Kristen: "Thanks, Jalen. I know this was the right thing to do, but... I feel lost. I don't know what's next."

Jalen read the words carefully, his brows furrowing. This was bigger than just a breakup. Kristen had spent years with Rob, waiting for something that never came. Now that she was finally free, she had no idea where to go from here. Jalen understood that. And he wasn't about to rush her into anything. He typed back, keeping it simple and steady.

"That's normal. You gave so much to that relationship--you need time to figure out what YOU want. No pressure, no rush."

A few moments later, another buzz.

Kristen: "You're right. I just... I don't know how to be single. I don't know what my life looks like without Rob."

Jalen sighed. He could feel the weight in her words. So, instead of trying to give her answers, he just let her know:

"That's okay. You don't have to figure it all out tonight."

Then, after a pause, he added: "You wanna talk? Just to talk?"

Kristen didn't respond right away. Jalen didn't mind. He'd let her sit with it. She had been through enough today. And whatever she needed from him? He'd be there.

***************************************************

It was just past midnight when Jalen's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and saw Kristen's name. She called.

Jalen exhaled slowly, running a hand over his face before answering. "Hey."

There was a pause on the other end. Then, a small, tired voice. "Hey."

Jalen could tell immediately. She had been crying.

"You alright?" he asked gently.

Kristen let out a slow, shaky breath. "I don't know."

Jalen didn't push. He just let the silence settle between them.

Finally, Kristen spoke again. "I just... I don't know why I called. I just didn't wanna be alone in my head right now."

Jalen leaned back against his couch, nodding even though she couldn't see him. "I get it."

Kristen sniffled. "I just feel... empty. Not sad, not happy. Just... like I don't know what to do with myself."

Jalen understood. She had spent so much of her life catering to someone else's needs. Now that it was over, she had no idea what came next. So, he kept his voice calm, steady.

"That's normal. You spent years waiting for someone to meet you halfway. Now it's just you."

Kristen exhaled. "Yeah."

Another pause. Then, she admitted softly, "I'm scared, Jalen."

Jalen's chest tightened slightly, but he didn't rush to comfort her with false promises.

Instead, he just said the truth. "That's okay. Being scared means you're stepping into something new. But you're not alone."

Kristen was quiet for a long moment. Then, she whispered, "Thank you for picking up."

Jalen's lips curved slightly. "Anytime."

She didn't say much after that. But she stayed on the line, listening to the quiet sound of Jalen breathing on the other end. And somehow, for the first time all night... She felt like she could finally breathe too.

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