From Best Friend To Fiancé (Savannah and Roman) novel Chapter 401

Chapter 401

Chapter 227: This Ends Today

Savannah

“Hi, Mom.”

The word mom still felt fragile in my mouth. Like glass. Like something. that could shatter if I said it too loudly. I guess that’s what years of trauma does to

a person.

She pulled me into a hug immediately, arms thin and trembling around my shoulders. I had to fight the instinct to brace her, afraid that if I leaned too hard, she might break in my arms. She was smaller than the last time I’d seen her. Frailer. I could literally feel her bones beneath the fabric of her sweater, her body light in a way that made something twist painfully in my chest.

She pulled back just enough to look at me properly.

“You look beautiful, sweetie.” Her hands cupped my face, thumbs brushing my cheeks. Her eyes filled instantly. “You’re practically glowing.”

I smiled, though my throat burned. I glanced around the driveway instinctively–just to be solid and steady like an anchor. The house loomed quietly behind her. Alyssa was probably

within earshot.

Just

1. us. Me, Mom, and Roman standing a step behind me, inside with her father and uncle Jace. Emily too. No one else

Good.

I took Mom’s hands in mine and leaned closer, lowering my voice even though there

was no one to hear

1. us.

“I’m pregnant, Mom,” I whispered. “Roman and I are having a baby.”

For a second, she didn’t breathe.

Then she gasped so sharply it sounded like the air had been punched out of her lungs. Her free hand flew to her cheeks. She looked at Roman, eyes wide and shaking.

mouth as tears spilled instantly down her

“Is… is that true?” she asked, voice barely there.

Roman stepped closer, his arm wrapping around my waist, his palm resting protectively over my stomach like it belonged there.

Like

always had.

“Yes, ma’am,” he said softly, pride unmistakable in his voice.

*

Mom let out a broken sob.

13

“Oh, my beautiful girl,” she cried, clutching my hands tighter. “Oh, Savannah. I’m so happy for you. So happy.”

I broke then. Tears slipped free before I could stop them.

“Thank you, Mom,” I whispered, laughing through my tears. “I still can’t believe it myself. I’m going to be a mother.”

The word felt unreal. Mother. Like I was borrowing it from the future.

Suddenly, her expression crumpled. Her joy collapsed inward, replaced by something shaking as she slapped her palm back over her mouth.

raw and aching. She sobbed again, harder this time, her shoulders

“I’m sorry,” she cried. “I’m so sorry, Savannah.

regret it.

I regret everything. I

Never

should have let you go through that. I never should have-

“Mom,” I said quickly, squeezing her hands. “That

enough.”

She shook her head frantically, tears pouring.

Tailed

you. I

failed

badly. Why

did

ever allow

go through that? Why did 1-” you to

“Mom.” My voice firmed. “Stop.”

She froze.

“That’s in the past,” I said quietly. “I forgave you. A long time ago.”

Her lips trembled. “I don’t think I’ll ever forgive myself.”

“That’s your burden,” I said gently. “Not mine.”

She broke down completely then, pulling me into her arms, crying into my shoulder. I held her, my own tears soaking into her sweater.

“I just want to live long enough,” she sobbed. “Just long enough to

see you

be

a

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