From Best Friend To Fiancé (Savannah and Roman) novel Chapter 105

**Dreams Folding Into Broken Time**

The issue, I found myself grappling with, was the uncertainty of whether I truly wanted the reality of the situation to be as it was.

In the depths of his gaze, I caught a glimpse of something familiar—the same intense look he had given me in the mirror. It was a mix of possession and insatiable hunger that sent shivers down my spine. And then came the chilling realization that my frustration wasn’t solely directed at him. No, I was equally furious with myself.

I should have been there for Chloe, standing by her side, meticulously adjusting her veil, holding her delicate bouquet, and whispering words of encouragement to soothe her nerves. Instead, I found myself slipping into the venue late, Roman’s hand still warm against my waist, struggling to mask the trembling of my legs—a trembling that no one could possibly understand.

The grand hall sparkled around us, awash in golden light and polished elegance. It felt as if the very air was infused with wealth, dripping with opulence. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, resembling cascades of crystal rain, casting brilliant reflections across the silk-draped walls. I should have been filled with awe and wonder.

But instead, I felt utterly exposed, as if I were standing naked in front of a crowd.

As I took my place among the bridesmaids, whispers followed me like shadows, a soft murmur of judgment as I slipped into the lineup just as the first notes of the music began to swell. One girl shot me a particularly sharp glare, her lips pressed together, phone held aloft as if capturing evidence of my late arrival.

My father’s expression was a mixture of disapproval and disappointment, his head shaking slightly as he muttered something to my mother. She turned to me, offering a tight-lipped smile before redirecting her attention forward, as if to say that everything was fine, even though it clearly wasn’t.

Roman, on the other hand, seemed blissfully unconcerned about the opinions of those around us. He slid into his seat with an air of confidence, as if he were the king of this domain. And in that moment, I felt an overwhelming urge to strangle him.

Then, like a vision from a fairytale, Chloe appeared at the top of the aisle, her veil shimmering with tiny crystals that captured the flickering candlelight. Time seemed to freeze for a heartbeat. She looked as though she had stepped out of my dreams—my dreams, or at least the dreams I used to have.

I wasn’t supposed to be lost in those thoughts. I wasn’t supposed to be reminiscing about the way Dean used to confess his love for me with such fervor.

As Chloe reached me, I lifted her train, forcing a bright smile onto my face as I whispered, “You look absolutely beautiful.”

She nodded, her lips pressed into a thin line. I noticed her bouquet trembling slightly in her grasp. “Thank you,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

The ceremony became a blur around me. Words about love and eternity floated through the air, but my mind struggled to latch onto any of it. Not while Roman’s intense gaze burned into the side of my face. Not while Dean’s narrowed eyes tracked every subtle movement of my body as he exchanged vows. Not while guilt clawed at me, a constant reminder that I had almost jeopardized this day through my own selfishness.

But as the vows concluded and applause erupted in the dazzling hall, Chloe squeezed my hand a little too tightly. It was a squeeze that felt more like a warning than an expression of gratitude.

And just moments later, that warning manifested itself—a soft whisper in my ear, one that anyone observing from a distance might mistake for sisterly affection.