جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 80

His words slithered down my spine like a snake, coating every nerve with unease.“I hate seeing you with that guy.” Dean’s voice cracked with something raw and desperate, but laced with an ugly undercurrent. His head dropped against my chest, his cheek rubbing against me side to side like a restless child seeking comfort. “You win, Savannah. End this charade with him. Please, Sav. Just… please.”The stench of whiskey wrapped itself around me, thick and nauseating. Every syllable he spoke reeked, sliding up my nose and sticking in the back of my throat. My hand trembled at my side, itching toward my phone that was now ringing but Dean’s hand was already there. His grip tightened around it, his knuckles pale, daring me to try and take it back.“Please, Sav,” he murmured again, lips grazing my skin with a tremor that made my flesh crawl. “I know you still want me.”A violent jolt ran through my body like an electric shock. I twisted sharply, shoving his face away. Disgust made me want to

The sharp bite of my heels against the marble slowed me down, so I kicked them off mid-stride and kept chasing after Roman, who was already at the grand entrance of the ballroom. His strides were purposeful, wide, almost military. His broad shoulders parted the crowd, and my pulse tripped over itself trying to keep up.“Roman, please. Wait!” My voice cracked across the noisy room, breaking against the swell of laughter, clinking glasses, and the orchestra swelling with another romantic piece.He stopped. Not completely, but enough that his head turned slightly to the side. Emerald eyes flashed, dangerous and angry.“Stay out of this, Savannah.” His voice was a rough growl, low and guttural, sending a shiver racing down my spine.I lunged forward and caught his elbow, nails digging into the fine fabric of his tux. My chest heaved, breath running short. “Please, don’t create a scene. This is my sister’s wedding,” I pleaded, heart jackhammering.Around us, guests kept laughing, chatting,

The silence after my hand cracked across Chloe’s face was deafening. It was like everyone held their breaths, expecting the next shoe to drop. And I knew my sister. Silence never lasted long with her.Her squeal tore through the air as she lunged, her palm smacking across my cheek with all her strength. The sting was sharp, but it barely registered. I’d been expecting it.Chloe always fights back. But this time, I needed her to. I needed her to light the fuse. And that was exactly what she just did. “How dare you!” I screamed, my rage boiling over. My hand struck her cheek again, harder this time. Then again. Each strike echoed across the hall, loud and merciless.Gasps rippled through the ballroom, but I didn’t care.I was done. Done with Chloe’s smug little smirks, her glass-doll voice, her endless manipulation. Done with her being Daddy’s golden child while I was expected to bow, scrape, and be grateful for scraps. Done with her accusing me of causing her great pain when I have n

Roman. I should’ve known she’d bring this up eventually. Honestly, I’m surprised it took her this long to ask. That tramp—her sister, blondie—has been dropping hints like poisoned breadcrumbs, and Savannah isn’t the kind of woman to miss them. She’s sharp. Way too sharp. I’ve been living on borrowed time, waiting for this question to cut me open. And now it’s here.She’s standing in front of me, her eyes locked on mine, steady and searching for the truth. Expectant as well. As though she’s braced for me to lie, to cover up, to hand her a version of the truth she can swallow.But I can’t lie to her. Not to her. Anyone else but her. Lies rot the ground under your feet until it caves in, and I’ve lied enough in my lifetime to know it always catches up. Better to bleed now than be gutted later.“I’ve met Chloe before coming down here,” I say, my voice even though my chest feels tight. “But I had no idea she was your sister.”Her breath rushes out of her like I’ve sucker-punched her. Sh

He shoved me into the passenger seat like I weighed nothing, snapping the buckle over my chest before slamming the door shut. The glare he sent me through the glass could have melted steel. But not me. I whipped around, indignant, my arms crossing tight against my chest as he slid into the driver’s side and started the engine.“You’re unbelievable, Roman!” I snapped, heat rushing to my cheeks. “Why the hell would you do that? You can’t just manhandle me like—”“You were about to ditch me and ride with Reese.” His tone cut through mine like a blade, sharp and fast. His knuckles whitened around the wheel. “That’s why. How could you?”I scoffed, my head jerking toward him. “Well, excuse me for not wanting to ride with you. Is it such a crime to be with your brother?”“Yes.” The word landed like a gunshot, no hesitation, no humor. His jaw locked. “It’s a crime, Savannah. Don’t ever do that again.”My mouth fell open. “Do what, exactly? Try to be comfortable?”“Don’t you ever storm off in