WESTLANE SERIES: LONDON HAS FALLEN

Chapter 8: Collision of Worlds

When Alena finally walked away, Lexa let out a breath she didn't even realize she was holding. "Whoa, that was... intense. What was that about?"

"Mommy, who was she?" William chimed in innocently, looking up at his mother with wide eyes. "She's pretty."

Lexa nodded, still reeling from the encounter. "Yeah, a goddess, perhaps," she agreed, her gaze flicking back to Jenna, who remained uncharacteristically silent, her eyes focused on her plate.

Jenna could feel the weight of her mother's quiet observation from across the table. Mary wasn't saying anything, but Jenna knew all too well that her mother had already pieced together who Alena was. She always did.

"Mom!" William called out again, this time tugging gently at her sleeve, breaking through her distracted thoughts.

Jenna blinked, snapping back to the present. "I'm sorry, sweetheart," she said softly, her voice warm with apology as she stroked his hair, trying to push the unnerving encounter with Alena to the back of her mind.

Lexa eyed Jenna curiously but decided not to press further, though the tension lingered, heavy and unresolved.

"Mom, you didn't answer my question," William's small voice cut through the lingering tension at the table.

Jenna looked at him, feigning confusion as if she hadn't heard. "What is it, sweetheart?"

"Who is that pretty lady?" he asked with wide, curious eyes.

Jenna blinked, a little caught off guard by the innocence of the question. She forced a smile. "Oh, she's mommy's friend from way back when I was in med school here in London, sweetheart."

William tilted his head, thinking. "Is she a doctor too, like you?"

"No," Jenna replied, her voice softening. "She's not a doctor."

William leaned forward with a mischievous grin. "Is she married?"

Jenna let out a surprised laugh. "Hey! Stop there, young man. What's with all these questions?"

William chuckled, clearly enjoying the game. "I was just wondering, Mom."

Jenna shook her head with a playful smile. "Alright, enough detective work for now."

"Can I have ice cream after I finish my macaroni?" William quickly shifted gears, eyes sparkling with excitement.

Jenna leaned over, gently pinching his nose. "Okay, if you stop interrogating me," she teased.

William giggled, the innocent sound breaking through the lingering awkwardness from Alena's sudden appearance. Jenna glanced at her mother, who had been quietly watching the entire exchange. She could tell that Mary understood more than she was letting on, though she wisely remained silent.

Lexa, still processing the strange tension that had hung in the air, gave a small, knowing smile but chose not to pry further. She simply sipped her wine, eyes darting between Jenna and William with a mix of curiosity and amusement.

Jenna, grateful for the distraction, took a deep breath and turned her attention back to William, whose focus had already shifted to his plate. The moment with Alena, however, still clung to her, an unspoken weight that would no doubt resurface later.

For now, though, she could breathe and enjoy dinner with her son.

Once William finished his ice cream, Jenna raised her hand to signal for the bill. The waiter approached with a polite smile, but before she could ask, he spoke.