Chapter 6

Roman descended the stairs with steady steps. Clarissa stood in the foyer, flanked by Griffin Hale and two police officers. She wore a cream coat and a worried expression that looked almost real.

“Roman, thank God you’re here,” she said, stepping forward with open arms. “I heard about the accident. How is Vivienne? I need to see my sister right away.”

He stopped three steps from the bottom, hands in his pockets. “She’s resting. No visitors.”

Griffin cleared his throat. “Mr. Steele, this is a family matter. Miss Ashworth has expressed concern about her sister’s mental state following recent events. We have statements suggesting Vivienne may be a danger to herself.”

One officer nodded. “We’d like to speak with her. There are questions about the crash.”

Roman’s jaw tightened. “The crash was no accident. My team has the two shooters in custody. They named Margaret Ashworth.”

Clarissa’s eyes widened in perfect shock. “That’s ridiculous. Mother would never— Roman, you know how fragile Vivienne has been. She’s been making wild claims lately about inheritance and some old contract. She even accused me of terrible things.”

She dabbed at dry eyes with a tissue. “I just want to help her. We’re family.”

Roman studied her face. Every word sounded concerned, but her posture stayed too controlled. No real fear for her sister. Only calculation.

“I saw the original betrothal contract today,” he said flatly. “The one with Vivienne’s name. Not yours.”

Clarissa froze for half a second before recovering with a soft laugh. “That old thing? It was dissolved years ago. Vivienne agreed to step aside. She told me herself she didn’t want the pressure.”

“Lies,” Roman replied. “I have the documents. Iris Lowe filed them this morning.”

Griffin shifted uncomfortably. “Those records are under dispute. Legal proceedings are ongoing. Bringing police into a private family disagreement—”

“Is necessary,” Roman cut in. “Because someone tried to kill her today. Again.”

The word “again” slipped out. He remembered Vivienne’s hospital bed confession. Insane as it sounded, the fear in her eyes had been real. The timing of today’s attack matched too perfectly with the inheritance filing.

Clarissa moved closer, lowering her voice to a gentle tone. “Roman, darling. You’ve always been so logical. Vivienne has been unstable since Grandmother’s death. She’s inventing stories. Please let me speak to her. I can calm her down.”

“No.”

The single word landed hard. Clarissa’s smile faltered.

Carter appeared from the side hallway, hands in his pockets, looking casual but alert. “Everything okay, brother? I heard we have guests.”

“Escort Miss Ashworth and her lawyer out,” Roman told him. “The officers can stay if they have actual warrants. They don’t.”

One officer hesitated. “Sir, we received a welfare check request.”

“Check completed. She’s safe under my care,” Roman said. “The real investigation should focus on who paid the shooters. My security will share evidence with the proper department. Not family friends.”

Clarissa’s voice rose slightly. “You’re choosing her over me? After everything our families planned? I thought we had an understanding.”

“We had lies,” Roman corrected. “You told me Vivienne walked away willingly. She says different. The papers say different. I believe the evidence.”

He turned to the officers. “Gentlemen, you’re welcome to review the security footage from the crash site. But no one sees Vivienne tonight.”

Griffin leaned toward Clarissa and whispered something. She nodded, then gave Roman one last sweet smile.

“I’m only trying to protect my sister, Roman. When she spins more tales about dying and coming back, remember who’s really looking out for her.” 

The group left. Carter locked the door behind them and whistled low. “That was intense. Clarissa’s good. Almost believed her for a second.”

“She’s not getting near Vivienne,” Roman said. He headed back upstairs.

Vivienne sat up straighter when he entered the room. Her face was still pale, but her eyes were sharp.

“Did she come?” she asked.

“Yes. With Griffin and police. Tried to paint you as unstable.”

Vivienne let out a tired breath. “Same move as before. In my other life, she used that story after the accident to close the case fast. Everyone believed the grieving sister.”

Roman sat in the chair beside her bed. “I didn’t. I told them to leave.”

She searched his face. “You believe me? About the rebirth part?”

“I believe someone wants you dead and has for a long time. The rest… I need time. But I’m not letting them touch you.”

He took her hand again. It felt small and cold in his. Something protective stirred in his chest. He had always noticed Vivienne, even when she stayed quiet in the background. Now that she wasn’t hiding, the feeling had grown stronger.

“You’re staying at my penthouse until this settles,” he said. “No arguments. My security is tighter than anywhere else.”

Vivienne nodded slowly. “Thank you. I didn’t want to ask, but I’m scared, Roman. Not just for me. Victor Crane has been feeding them information. He’s mixed up in bigger financial crimes tied to the estate.”

Roman’s eyes narrowed. “Crane? My business partner?”

“Yes. Watch him.”

He squeezed her hand. “I will. For now, rest. Doctor said twenty-four hours monitoring. I’ll be right here.”

She closed her eyes, but kept holding on. “In my first life, you never looked at me like this. You were going to marry Clarissa. I was invisible.”

“You’re not invisible anymore,” he said quietly. “And I’m not marrying anyone but the woman named in the contract.”

A small smile touched her lips before she drifted off.

Downstairs, Carter waited with fresh coffee. “You’ve got it bad, brother. Never seen you go this hard for anyone.”

Roman took the cup. “She’s mine by contract. And now by choice. The Ashworths picked the wrong fight.”

His phone buzzed. A message from his head of security: “Prints back. Both men worked for a shell company linked to Griffin Hale.”

Roman’s grip tightened on the phone. The war had officially started.

He looked toward the stairs where Vivienne slept. Whatever future she remembered, this time would be different. He would make sure of it, no more stepping aside, no more secrets. 

The possessive feeling surprised him with its strength. But he didn’t fight it

. Once Roman Steele decided something, he didn’t waver.

And he had decided on Vivienne Ashworth.