From Best Friend To Fiancé (Savannah and Roman) novel Chapter 304

**Dreams Folding Into Broken Time**

**Chapter 304**

“I have a lot on my plate,” I said, my voice smooth as silk, though inside I felt the tension coiling tighter. “And I’ve got an engagement tonight. You remember, right? I made those plans earlier when you said you didn’t want to see me anymore. I didn’t expect you to change your mind so quickly.”

There was a faint sound on the other end of the line, a breath that seemed to hang in the air, caught between the sharp edges of heartbreak and a flicker of pride.

“Take care of yourself, Penelope.”

With that, I ended the call, the click of the disconnect echoing in my mind. I stared at the phone for what felt like an eternity, a weight settling in my chest, before I finally set it aside, the decision weighing heavily on me. I would visit her later, but not now. She needed to unravel a bit more before I could step back into her world. I turned the ignition of the car, the familiar roar of the engine grounding me as I drove home.

Upon my arrival, I found Elizabeth sprawled across the couch, a bowl of popcorn cradled in her lap, her eyes glued to what appeared to be a horror movie cranked up to eleven. Blood splattered across the screen, heads rolling in a grotesque ballet. Charming, I thought sarcastically.

She glanced up at me, her eyes flickering from my face to the bag I was holding, curiosity dancing in her gaze.

I didn’t need to ask where Savannah was. The silence in the house spoke volumes, and I already knew she was upstairs, drowning in her tears.

I walked down the dimly lit hallway, my footsteps soft against the hardwood floor, and paused outside Roman and Savannah’s bedroom. I rapped gently on the door. “Savannah,” I called out, my voice steady. “Open up. It’s Reese.”

A moment later, the door creaked open. Savannah stood there, her eyes puffy and red, her nose a shade of crimson, and her cheeks glistening with remnants of tears. She looked utterly defeated. “Do you need anything?” she asked, her voice barely rising above a whisper, as if speaking too loud might shatter the fragile silence.

I extended the bag towards her. “Yeah. I need you to test all of them. That way you’ll know for sure.”

Her mouth opened, ready to protest, but I cut her off before she could voice her doubts.

“Don’t trust me. Don’t argue. Just do it.”

Something in my tone must have struck a chord, for she closed her mouth and nodded once, the fight leaving her eyes.

“I’ll be in the living room,” I said, turning to leave.

But then her hand shot out, gripping my arm with surprising strength. I halted, turning back to face her.

“Thank you, Reese.” The words were so soft, they almost slipped past my ears unnoticed, but they resonated deep within me.

I nodded, feeling a swell of warmth, and walked away before I could say anything that might sound like “you’re welcome.”

When I returned to the living room, Elizabeth was still immersed in her cinematic bloodbath, the chaos on-screen making my stomach churn.

I grimaced as another dismembered head flew across the screen. “Jesus Christ, can you please change this? It’s disturbing.”

With a nonchalant flick of her wrist, she popped another piece of popcorn into her mouth, her eyes never leaving the screen. “I like it.”

“Well, I don’t,” I shot back, irritation creeping into my voice.

She gasped theatrically. “Oh my God, you’re squeamish!”

“I’m not squeamish,” I replied flatly, trying to maintain my composure.

“You are squeamish,” she insisted, a playful smirk tugging at her lips.

“Elizabeth.”

Her grin widened. “Say it. I’m squeamish.”

“Give me back the remote,” she countered defiantly, her challenge hanging in the air.

“Jesus Christ.” I hissed, the tension palpable. “Get off me, are you trying to get me hard?”

Before she could respond, a throat cleared from the doorway. We both turned, startled.

Savannah stood there, pale and trembling, her hands shaking as she clutched four test strips, tears shimmering in her eyes.

“Sav?” Elizabeth’s voice softened, concern flooding her features. She scrambled off me, her previous bravado replaced by worry. “What’s wrong?”

I straightened up, my heart racing, already bracing for the worst—that the tests would be negative again. I was mentally preparing a half-hearted pep talk when Savannah spoke, her voice breaking on the words.

“It’s positive.” She looked between us, tears spilling down her cheeks. “They’re all positive, Reese.”

The air in the room stilled, a heavy silence enveloping us.

For a moment, none of us could find our voices. Elizabeth’s mouth hung open in shock, while my mind replayed her words over and over, struggling to grasp their meaning.

Positive. All of them.

I blinked, leaning back against the couch, the weight of reality settling in. “Well,” I finally managed, my voice low and steady, “looks like my brother’s going to be a father.”

Savannah’s lips trembled, and Elizabeth covered her mouth, her eyes wide with disbelief.

And me? I just sat there, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within me, wondering how my brother had managed to leave Blackwood Manor and still walk away with a happy ending.