From Best Friend To Fiancé (Savannah and Roman) novel Chapter 92

**Dreams Folding Into Broken Time**
**Chapter 92**

The air felt heavy, suffocating, as I braced myself for the inevitable blow. My heart raced, thudding painfully against my ribcage, and my stomach twisted in knots. I shut my eyes tightly, anticipating the sharp sting of his slap—the all-too-familiar punishment I had endured countless times whenever Chloe decided to play her innocent little game.

But this time, the slap never came.

Tentatively, I cracked one eye open, my breath hitching in my throat. To my astonishment, Roman stood there, a formidable barrier between my father and me. His body was taut, muscles coiled like a spring, and his jaw was set in a hard line as he held my dad’s hand in place, preventing the strike.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Roman’s voice was deceptively calm, yet it carried an undercurrent of steel that sent a shiver down my spine.

My father’s face twisted in fury as he yanked his hand free, the anger radiating off him like heat from a fire. “I’m teaching that girl some manners! Chloe is pregnant, and Savannah shoves her to the floor? Are you trying to make her lose the baby?!” His glare cut through me like a knife, leaving a chill in its wake.

My lips parted, but no words came out; they were lodged in my throat like stones. I didn’t need to respond; Roman had already taken the words right out of my mouth.

“And you’re so quick to believe her… why?” he asked, his tone dripping with cold skepticism.

“Didn’t you see her on the ground?” Chloe interjected, her voice quavering as she leaned into Aunt Janice for support, desperation etched on her face.

Roman turned his head slowly, his gaze locking onto hers with an intensity that felt almost tangible. “I did,” he replied, his voice steady. Then he lifted my wrist for everyone to see, revealing the angry red crescent marks that marred my skin, a testament to Chloe’s viciousness. “But I also saw this. So tell me, blondie, who’s really at fault here?”

The term “blondie” hung in the air, sharp and jarring. I glanced between them, a sense of unease settling in my stomach. Roman’s stare was unwavering, fierce. Chloe’s reaction was even more pronounced; she flinched as though the word carried a weight only she and Roman understood.

Why does he always call her that? And why does she look at him like that when he does? Do they… know each other? No, that can’t be. Can it?

Their eyes locked, a silent conversation crackling between them, and it felt intrusive to witness. Then, as if breaking a spell, Chloe tore her gaze away, bolting toward the door with a wail that echoed through the house.

“If Dean doesn’t come back to me before tomorrow, I’m going to kill myself in my wedding dress!” Her voice pierced the air, shrill and desperate, leaving a trail of gasps in its wake.

Mom and Alyssa sprang into action, scrambling after her, calling her name with urgency. Their voices faded as they chased her into the house, but Chloe didn’t respond. She was gone, leaving behind an oppressive silence that felt as though it could swallow us whole.

My father turned to me, his expression thunderous, a storm brewing in his eyes. “You’d better fix this, Savannah,” he seethed, his words heavy with unspoken threats. “Or else—” The sentence hung in the air, unfinished yet laden with meaning. His gaze flicked toward Roman before narrowing back at me. “You know exactly what I mean.”

My stomach dropped at the implication. I did know. If I didn’t manage to rectify this situation, he would spill everything to Roman. About all of it.

I shook my head quickly, a wave of defiance washing over me. “No. I’ll be fine. And honestly, I don’t think Dean would be thrilled to see you right now.”

For a moment, Roman was silent, the tension in his shoulders easing as he exhaled slowly. “Fine. But call me. The second you find anything, the moment anything happens, just call me.”

I nodded, grateful for his insistence, even if I struggled to accept it. I slipped back into the house, heading upstairs to change. I needed something comfortable, something that would shield me from the chaos around me. In the bathroom, I splashed cold water on my face, staring at my reflection, willing my racing pulse to calm. The stinging on my wrists served as a harsh reminder of just how low Chloe had sunk.

When I finally emerged from my room, Roman was waiting for me, as if he knew I wouldn’t leave without seeing him one last time.

I picked up the fob from the dresser, forcing a small smile to mask my turmoil. “I’m taking this out for a test drive?”

A smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth, the sharp edges of earlier softening in the warmth of the moment. He stepped closer, closing the distance between us. “I’d love to see that.”

“I’ll save you the second drive.” My voice was quieter now, almost playful despite the heaviness in the air.

He chuckled, the sound low and inviting. Then, without warning, he leaned in, pulling me close, and his mouth found mine. The kiss was grounding, a steady anchor in the midst of the storm swirling around us.