Our Forbidden Love

XIII : Reunion

Fallon's POV

The moment I closed the door behind me, the weight of the situation pressed down on me harder than I expected. I could feel the tension in the air, the pull between the life I've built here and the looming expectations of the world I was born into. My parents had always been about control, about crafting a future that suited their desires. But for once, I wasn't sure I wanted to play by their rules anymore.

Mr. Darke's grip on my arm still lingered in the back of my mind, his cold warning echoing in my ears. "Just come with me if you wish no harm towards this special friend of yours." The words were a threat, but I refused to let them break me. If I could survive everything my parents had thrown at me over the years, I could handle this.

But Cat... the way she looked at me as I walked away, her eyes full of worry— that almost broke me. It wasn't just about her tears; it was the silent plea in them. The unspoken hope that I would choose us over everything else.

And how could I not? How could I possibly prioritize a family that never saw me as anything more than a tool in their game, when the person I cared for more than anyone else was right here, fighting for us?

I could feel the anger simmering beneath the surface, but I kept it in check as I followed Mr. Darke to his car. The ride to my family's estate felt like an eternity. The sound of the tires on the pavement was all I could focus on as my thoughts spun in every direction.

This was the life I had always known. And yet, for the first time, it felt suffocating. I longed for something more— something real. Something where I could make my own choices, where I wasn't constantly tethered to my parents' vision for my life.

I arrived at the mansion to find the familiar faces of my parents waiting for me, their expressions unreadable. My father stood with his arms crossed, his jaw set in that way that told me I was about to be lectured. My mother stood beside him, silent as always, with her carefully perfected face, as if nothing in the world ever fazed her.

"Fallon," my father greeted me in that cold, formal tone that always made me feel like a disappointment before I even said a word. "I trust you've been keeping up with your responsibilities."

I nodded, though inside I was burning with the need to scream. I was done with their obligations. Done with their forced smiles and their attempts to manipulate every aspect of my life. But that wasn't something I could say to their faces, not yet.

"I've been focusing on my studies, Father," I replied, my voice calm but firm. "Is that what you wanted me to report?"

My father raised an eyebrow, clearly irritated by my lack of enthusiasm. "Don't get smart with me, young lady. We have bigger things to discuss."

I followed them into the grand dining room, the same room where family meetings were held— often about things I wanted no part in. There was an unsettling energy in the air, and I knew this wasn't just about school anymore.

As we sat down, my father wasted no time in diving into the heart of the matter.

"I've arranged for you to meet someone today. A good match for you, Fal." His words were deliberate, and I could hear the hidden meaning in them. This wasn't a suggestion. It was an order.

"Father, I'm not interested," I interjected before he could say more. My heart raced in my chest, but I kept my voice steady. "I've already told you— I'm not looking for a match. Not from you, not from anyone."

My father's face hardened. "You're being childish. It's not about what you want. It's about what's best for you, what's best for the family."

I leaned forward, my patience running thin. "Best for the family," I repeated, biting back the sharpness in my voice. "Or best for you and your reputation?"