From Best Friend To Fiancé (Savannah and Roman) novel Chapter 378

Chapter 215: I Don’t Need Love

Reese

The sound of the slap reached me before the sting did. A clean, sharp crack that echoed off the wooden walls of the empty courtroom. I let my head turn with it, more out of politeness than pain. I just wanted her to have her moment. To make it seem like something… out of a movie.

It wasn’t like I didn’t see it coming. Penelope was predictable that way—reactive, emotional, always performing even when her whole world was catching fire.

I straightened slowly, rubbing my jaw with two fingers. “There it is,” I murmured. “I was wondering when you’d get around to that.”

Her chest heaved. Her face was blotched red, her eyes wet and wild–equal parts shock and heartbreak. “How can you do this to me?” she whispered, her voice cracking. “Why would you do this to me, Reese? Why?”

I exhaled softly. “Penny,” I said, lifting a brow, “you just asked me two questions at once. Which one am I supposed to answer first?”

The shocked look she gave me almost made me laugh. Mouth parted, eyes huge like she couldn’t decide whether to scream, sob, or scratch my face off. “Why?” she breathed again. “Why are you doing this?”

“Fine,” I said. “We’ll start there.”

I rocked back on my heels, hands sliding casually into my pockets. She looked like she’d been gutted while I looked like I was waiting for

a taxi.

“Roman has his vendetta,” I said. “And I have mine. You messed with Savannah. You messed with Roman. And you honestly thought you were going to walk away from that? You think my brother was going to just let things go just because you cry pretty in courtrooms?” I tilted my head. “You’re not stupid, Penelope. Selfish, yes. Delusional, absolutely. But not stupid.”

That made her laugh–loud and bitter and too high–pitched. She pressed a hand to her forehead and shook her head like she was hearing the world’s funniest joke for the first time.

“Wait,” she said through her laughter, “Roman dragged you into this because I told that girl’s family what he was too much of a coward to tell them? That’s why you’re here?” She wheezed, wiping her eyes. “You’re both insane. Actually insane.”

I shrugged. “Call it whatever you want. But deep down, you know he won this round, And let me give you a little advice–don’t mess with Savannah again. Ever. Because if you do… even I don’t know what Roman’s going to do next. Resurrecting your ex was just him warming

up.”

The laughter died instantly. Her face went blank with fear. “I hate you,” she whispered. “I hate you so much, Reese.”

1/3

9:51 Fri, Dec 26

Chapter 378

“No,” I said calmly, leaning closer, “you don’t. You love me. It’s unhealthy. And that’s the problem. I could

Her hand flew up–fast. But mine was faster. I caught her wrist mid–air and held it effortlessly. The froze, breath hito

“Playtime’s over, Penelope,” I said quietly. “You only get one chance,”

“Let me go!” she hissed, twisting her arm.

200

I tightened my grip just enough to remind her who she was dealing with. “Listen to me carefully. If you ever–men in gessing–tick about harming my brother, his fiancée, her family, my family, or any of my siblings, I will find you. I will bent you like there’s a price on your head, Penelope. I will find you and I will not spare you. You know that. So don’t test me

She glared at me, silent, furious, helpless.

I released her wrist and picked up the bouquet I’d brought with me earlier–the flowers that would have been the excuse.

I placed them firmly into her arms. “For you,” I said lightly. “A congratulatory gift. That was one hell of a performance. At least everyone here now knows what a lawyer looks like when she’s in ecstasy.”

She didn’t move. Didn’t blink. Just stared at me with eyes full of heat and hatred and something deeper–something ugly.

“Goodbye, Penelope,” I said. “I sincerely hope this is the last time I ever have to look at you.”

I took a few steps back. She clutched the flowers so tightly her knuckles turned white.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify