From Best Friend To Fiancé (Savannah and Roman) novel Chapter 450

He beamed and left.

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Chapter 450

1 stood there long after he disappeared, staring at the space he’d occupied, my pulse roaring in my ears. Something about the way he’d left–so calm, so assured–unnerved me far more than if he’d shouted or threatened.

That wasn’t surrender. That was strategy.

I looked towards the right.

River sat rigid in her chair, eyes locked on the now–closed door, her expression open in a way that felt

unsaid and heavy.

Before I could ask Riley if Reginald was aware, Rosalie’s voice cut through the table like a blade.

“Hey, Ry!”

Every head turned.

to witness. Longing. Achs. Something

“Next time you think of doing something stupid,” Rosalie said coolly, “maybe consider what it’ll cost you. And whether it’s worth it.” Her gaze flicked pointedly to me. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“I didn’t ask for your advice,” Riley snapped, folding her arms tightly across her chest. “You’re so annoying.”

Rosalie lifted her hands. “Just being a good sister. I’m looking out for you.”

“Didn’t ask you to.” Riley muttered.

Alex inhaled loudly, theatrically.

Almost everyone turned to him.

“Hmmm,” he said, sniffing the air. “Sure smells like a bitch in here.” Then he slapped his forehead. “Oh wait–never mind. It’s just you,

Rosalie raised both middle fingers without hesitation. “Fuck you,

Alex.”

He tapped his chin, grinning. “Technically, that’d still be considered incest.”

Ramsey laughed beside me, unrestrained and boyish,

Rosalie rolled her eyes and stood. “Nothing is surprising around here,” she muttered. “I’m out.”

Alex smiled brightly. “Good night, Rosie. Sweet dreams, sis!”

She walked away with her middle finger in the air. “I hope you choke on that wine!” She yelled.

He threw his head back and laughed. Reese chuckled.

“Good night, ma’am,” Ramsey added, checking his watch. “It’s fourteen minutes past my

I smiled at him. “Good night, Ramsey.”

bedtime.”

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Ryan stood next. “I’ll take my leave now. Charlotte’s waiting for me at home.”

“Charlotte’s the wife, right?” I asked Riley, my eyes following him as he moved away.

She didn’t answer. So I forced myself to look at her.

Riley was staring at her phone. Her face had gone pale, her eyes wide and unblinking, fingers frozen mid–scroll as if whatever she was seeing had struck her

dumb.

I reached out and touched her hand. And she jumped violently.

“Riley.”

“Huh?” she said, blinking rapidly, like she’d been pulled back from somewhere far away.

“Is everything okay?”

She nodded too quickly, stood abruptly, and grabbed her headphone. “Yes. Everything’s fine. I just need sleep. I’m tired.”

It was a lie. She wasn’t tired. Whatever she’d just seen on that screen had stolen the words right out of her mouth. But I didn’t push.

I let her go.

I’d already clearly dragged her into enough problems.

Once she disappeared, the weight of exhaustion settled over me too.

Reese and Alex leaned close together, speaking in low voices like the latter hadn’t been angry at the former a few minutes ago. River sat beside them, silent now, hands folded in her lap, just listening and smiling.

I didn’t want to intrude.

Quietly, I stood and slipped away, intending to leave unnoticed. If I got lost, I’d ask a guard or a maid.

The corridor outside the dining hall was dimmer, the lighting softer, shadows stretching long across the walls. My footsteps echoed faintly as I walked, the

manor suddenly too quiet.

I reached the end of the hallway and turned. And that was when a strong, large hand wrapped around my throat. My back was slammed into the wall with

bone–jarring force.

Air tore from my lungs as panic exploded through me, white–hot and immediate. Fingers tightened, cutting off breath, cutting off sound.

I clawed at the hands, nails scraping uselessly against skin and fabric. The world narrowed, my vision blurring at the edges.

I tried to scream. Nothing came out. The manor swallowed the sound whole.

And in that moment, I understood something sinister.

This manor wasn’t done with me yet…

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09:59 Thu, Jan 15 G