From Best Friend To Fiancé (Savannah and Roman) novel Chapter 408

Chapter 408

Mom’s lips trembled.

“You begged me not to take her,” Jace went on. “You said Alyssa already loved her baby sister. You said ripping her away would destroy your family.” He let out a bitter laugh. “That was emotional blackmail, Flora.”

The words hit like literal slaps.

“Now look at her,” he said, gesturing vaguely in my direction. “She was treated horribly for years. Years. All because of a decision you made!”

Roman’s arm tightened around my waist–just slightly. Just enough to remind me I wasn’t alone.

I hadn’t realized I was crying again until a tear slipped down my cheek and landed on the back of my hand.

“My own child called me uncle,” Jace said hoarsely. “For years, Flora. And not once did you imagine how that felt. How it tore me apert.”

Mom shook her head, tears spilling freely now.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I just… I did what I thought was best for her. I thought she’d have a better life if she grew up in a complete family,” Her voice broke. “What kind of life would she have had with you? Without a mother by her side?*

“She would have grown up just fine! I would have raised her on my own!” Jace hissed. “She wouldn’t have been through any of this!”

“I second that.” Julius’s voice cut in, dripping with mockery.

We all turned to him.

He was smiling. Blood smeared his mouth, his knuckles bruised, his eyes alight with something dark and amused.

“I’d have given anything to never know that girl,” he said. “But sometimes, beautiful things come from ugly situations.”

Then he laughed.

Something in me went cold.

“You bastard!” face roared. “Why didn’t you just be a man and settle your issues with me? Why involve my daughter? You’re a coward A rotten piece of shit!”

Julius only smirked wider. But before he could speak, someone else beat him to it.

*Are you done yet?” Paula drawled suddenly, yawning as if she were bored out of her mind. “Because if you are, we can finally move on to

Chapter 408

the next phase.”

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Every head turned toward her.

“Which is?” Roman asked sharply.

0:0

She smiled. “Crime and punishment.” Her gaze locked onto Julius. “He was part of the gang that murdered my father,” she said, her voice

suddenly hard. “They ruined my life. Destroyed my home. Left me and my brother with nothing.”

She leaned forward.

“I’m only here because I want justice.”

Julius laughed. “You’d have to meet The General for that,” he said mockingly. “And you’d be dead long before you got within a hundred

feet of him.”

He smirked, smug.

“His men would put you down like the dirty little animal you are. Just like he did your father.”

“Julius!” Roman snapped. “Have you no heart at all?”

Julius turned to him slowly, studying his face with unsettling interest. “Has anyone ever told you how much you look like your father,

Roman?”

The room seemed to tilt.

The meaning behind those words settled heavily in my chest, pressing down until breathing hurt.

Paula laughed softly. “Is that so?” she said. “Then I’ll start with you Harts first.”

Everything happened at once.

She sprang to her feet, her movements fast and precise, and suddenly there was a gun in her hand–aimed straight at where Jace, Mom, and Julius stood.

Alyssa screamed. “She’s got a gun!”

Roman shoved me back instantly, his body moving in front of mine, shielding me completely. My heart slammed against my ribs as panic. exploded through me.

From the corner of my eye, something clicked.

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