Chapter 21
In Chapter 21 of “Dreams Folding Into Broken Time,” the tension escalates as Roman grapples with the harrowing thought of losing his friend Emily, who nearly died due to neglect. His anguish is palpable as he confronts the reality of the situation, revealing a deep-seated fear that no one was watching over her. This fear triggers a heated argument between him and Dean, who attempts to downplay the severity of the incident. Roman’s frustration boils over, leading to a confrontation that leaves both men on edge, highlighting the emotional strain of the moment.
As the chapter unfolds, Savannah tries to navigate the delicate dynamics between her and Roman, who is wrestling with his feelings for her. Their conversation is charged, revealing the complexity of their friendship as they both acknowledge the underlying tension and attraction that exists between them. Roman’s admission that he shouldn’t be imagining what Savannah tastes like intensifies the emotional stakes, leaving her breathless and confused. The moment is interrupted by Lizzie, who brings them back to reality, reminding them of the gravity of the situation with Emily.
Savannah’s internal conflict deepens as she grapples with the deception surrounding her relationship with Roman and the impact it might have on her family. The arrival of Emily’s father adds another layer of tension, as Alyssa reveals that he intends to take Emily away, claiming she is unfit to care for her. This revelation sends shockwaves through the group, forcing Savannah to confront her choices and the potential fallout of their actions. The chapter closes with a sense of urgency and looming dread, as the characters must face the consequences of their decisions amidst a chaotic emotional landscape.
**Dreams Folding Into Broken Time p>
**Chapter 21 p>
**From Best Friend To Fiancé p>
**Chapter 15: Emily’s Dad p>
“Are you out of your mind?” I shot back, my voice sharp and incredulous.
“Oh, sweetie, it’s called raising awareness. God forbid I use my platform for something worthwhile. If Bridal Luxe catches wind of this, they’ll definitely cover my wedding,” Chloe retorted, her eyes sparkling with a twisted sense of ambition.
Roman finally lifted his gaze, his jaw taut and muscles flexing with barely contained anger. “Turn that crap off. Right now p>
Chloe, feigning a dramatic sob, tilted her phone toward her face, which was now painted with faux tears. “This is a family tragedy. And I p>
Before she could finish her sentence, the phone was yanked from her grasp, mid-word.
Alyssa stood there, her eyes reddened, hair cascading messily around her face like a dark cloud. “You want tragedy?” she hissed, her voice low and menacing. “You want attention, Chloe p>
“Alyssa p>
The sharp crack of Alyssa’s slap echoed through the room, silencing everything.
Chloe’s head snapped to the side, shock written all over her face. The silence that followed was thick, almost suffocating, reverberating in our ears.
Alyssa hurled the phone against the wall. It shattered into a million pieces, mirroring the fragility of her restraint.
“Get. Out p>
“You’re overreacting p>
“OUT p>
Roman stood up sharply, his posture radiating authority. Lizzie flinched, and even Dean shifted uncomfortably as Chloe stormed out, one hand cradling her cheek, eyes shimmering—not with tears of sorrow, but with a blazing fury.
Dean bent down to gather the shards of Chloe’s broken phone. “That was too much, Alyssa. She cares about Emily, in her own way p>
“Posting trauma online isn’t love,” Alyssa shot back, her tone fierce. “It’s just PR.” She brushed a tear away, her gaze still locked in a heated stare-off with him.
The rest of us stood awkwardly, scattered around the room like misplaced puzzle pieces, the tension in the air thick enough to cut with a knife.
I crossed my arms tightly, feeling the cold hospital air against my damp skin, a stark contrast to the heat of the argument. Roman was now pacing, his jaw grinding, muttering under his breath in agitation.
**09:30 Tue, Nov 25 p>
**Chapter 21 p>
“Are you okay?” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.
He halted and turned to face me, his expression a mixture of anguish and frustration. “She could’ve died, Savannah p>
“I know,” I replied softly, trying to convey my understanding.
“No, you don’t understand. No one was watching her. No one saw her go inside, and that’s the terrifying part. She’s just a kid p>
His voice trembled slightly, and he turned away, running a hand through his damp hair in a gesture of helplessness.
Dean stepped forward, attempting to diffuse the tension. “She’s fine now. That’s what matters most p>
Roman’s head whipped around to glare at him, his eyes blazing with intensity. “You think this is fine? What if it was your kid p>
Dean narrowed his eyes, his irritation palpable. “Don’t talk to me like that p>
“Oh, I’ll talk however the hell I want. You were watching Savannah the entire time. That’s where your focus was p>
My heart plummeted.
“What the hell, man? I wasn’t even there p>
“As if that makes a difference,” Roman shot back, his voice rising.
“Roman,” I interjected sharply, trying to regain control of the situation.
Dean took a threatening step closer to Roman, but Lizzie intervened, positioning herself between them. “Enough! This isn’t the time or place for your macho posturing. A little girl almost died p>
In a fit of anger, Dean punched the wall before storming off, following the path Chloe had taken.
Roman let out a sharp exhale, frustration radiating off him as he walked away, disappearing down the sterile hallway.
I hesitated for a moment, then decided to follow him.
I found him near the vending machines, his hands pressed against the wall, head bowed in defeat.
“You didn’t have to say that,” I said gently, my voice barely above a whisper. “To Dean p>
He didn’t turn around, his voice flat. “You think I care p>
“I think you’re angry,” I replied, my heart aching for him.
“I am angry,” he growled, finally turning to meet my gaze. “I told you this was a bad idea. All of it. Coming here. Staying with your family. Pretending we’re… this.” He gestured between us, frustration evident in his posture.
“We’re not pretending,” I countered, though deep down, I knew we were. Weren’t we? “Please don’t be mad. I don’t like it when we fight p>
He moved closer, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart race. “You kissed me back p>
“Because you kissed me first,” I shot back, trying to hold my ground.
He didn’t deny it. “I’m losing my damn mind, Savannah. And you’re playing games with Dean like none of this matters p>
“Let’s not talk about him,” I urged, cupping his cheek gently. “You’re frustrated, and I understand that. But don’t take it out on everyone else. That was a mistake p>
“A costly one,” he spat, his anger simmering just below the surface.
“You’re going to make Alyssa feel worse,” I cautioned, my voice softening.
“That was never my intention,” he replied, his tone shifting slightly.
I placed my hand on his chest, smiling in an attempt to lighten the mood. “Look, I get it, you’re wound up. You need an outlet. Maybe even someone temporary p>
His eyes darkened, a storm brewing within them. “What are you suggesting p>
I lowered my voice, trying to keep the conversation private. “Since you can’t find your usual distractions down here, we could find someone else p>
“Fucking hell, Savannah.” He exhaled sharply, clearly exasperated.
“What? I’m just trying to help you. That’s what friends are for p>
“I don’t need a prostitute p>
“You clearly do,” I shot back, my frustration bubbling over.
He stepped closer, his presence looming. “We’re not talking about this when a child almost died p>
“You’re not her father, Roman p>
He raised an eyebrow, skepticism etched on his face.
“You don’t remember? Daddy’s here? What was that about p>
“That meant nothing,” he replied, his voice cracking as he looked away, clearly grappling with his emotions. “I was caught up in the moment p>
“I’m not stupid, Roman p>
“Don’t put words in my mouth, Sav p>
I took a step back, feeling the distance between us grow. “Don’t try to control who I talk to p>
“And you don’t get to dictate who I sleep with p>
An awkward silence filled the space, our breaths the only sound breaking the tension.
“I’m sorry. I’m not trying to control you, Sav. I’m trying to protect you p>
My chest tightened, confusion swirling inside me. “From what p>
“Stop playing these games with Dean. Let’s just get this wedding over with and head back home p>
“No.” I took another step back, my resolve hardening. “We agreed to this. You promised to help me through this. You said you wouldn’t half-ass it. What’s going on p>
His eyes darkened, deeper than I had ever seen. “You think I wanted this? That I planned for it? I walked out there and saw you in that damn bikini, and I—” He clenched his fists, frustration boiling over. “Fuck, Savannah p>
I swallowed hard, the weight of his words hanging heavily between us.
“You’re my best friend,” he said hoarsely, his voice trembling. “I shouldn’t be imagining what you taste like p>
My thighs involuntarily clenched at his admission. I bit my lip, looking away to gather my thoughts.
His words crashed over me like a tidal wave, leaving me breathless and unsteady. “Then stop imagining p>
He stepped closer, our bodies nearly touching now, the air crackling with tension. “I can’t p>
“Roman,” I hissed, glancing nervously toward the hallway doors. “Don’t p>
His lips parted, ready to say something, but before he could speak, Lizzie appeared at the end of the corridor. “They’re asking for Emily’s emergency contacts. Alyssa just stepped out. Savannah, they might need you p>
Roman’s gaze lingered on me for a moment longer before he finally looked away, the moment between us dissipating like smoke.
I followed Lizzie, but I could still feel the weight of Roman’s stare burning into my back, igniting a mix of confusion and longing within me.
“That looked tense. Everything okay?” Lizzie asked as we made our way back to Emily’s room.
I nodded, forcing a smile. “Yeah. Just some leftover tension from earlier. Roman’s a softie at heart; he’s just a bit shaken up. That’s all.” My voice was light, almost teasing, as I tried to downplay the gravity of the situation.
“We’re lucky he was here to help. I can’t imagine what would have happened if he hadn’t been p>
Guilt settled heavily in my chest, a nagging doubt creeping in. Was it really wise to deceive my entire family like this?
Before I could voice my concerns, Alyssa stumbled into the room, her phone clutched tightly in trembling fingers, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“He’s here,” she whispered, her voice cracking under the weight of her emotions. “Emily’s dad. He’s downstairs p>
I blinked, shaking off the haze of my earlier conversation with Roman.
“What p>
Alyssa’s sob hitched in her throat. “He said… he said he’s going to take Emily. That I’m unfit. That he has proof p>
As the tension in the hospital room began to unravel, the emotional weight of the day settled heavily on Savannah’s heart. The chaos of the argument with Roman echoed in her mind, a stark reminder of the fragile line they walked between friendship and something deeper. She felt the sting of guilt for the deception she had woven around her family, a web that now threatened to ensnare her in unforeseen consequences. The arrival of Emily’s father, a looming figure of authority and judgment, cast a shadow over the fragile bonds they had tried to build. In that moment, Savannah realized that the stakes were higher than she had ever anticipated, and the reality of their situation pressed down on her like an anchor, threatening to pull her under.
Yet, amid the turmoil, a flicker of resolve ignited within her. Savannah understood that the connection she shared with Roman was not merely a fleeting moment of passion but a profound bond forged through years of friendship and shared experiences. As she glanced back at Roman, standing at the edge of the chaos, she felt a surge of determination. They had navigated through storms before; this was just another tempest to weather together. With Emily’s future hanging in the balance, Savannah steeled herself, ready to confront the challenges ahead. She knew that in order to protect those she loved, she would have to confront her own fears and insecurities, embracing the truth of her feelings for Roman, even as the world around them threatened to fracture.
**What to Expect in Next Chapter p>
In the upcoming chapter of “Dreams Folding Into Broken Time,” tension reaches a boiling point as the emotional fallout from Emily’s crisis continues to ripple through the group. With Alyssa’s father looming ominously in the background, the stakes are higher than ever. Will Alyssa find the strength to confront her past and defend her bond with Emily, or will the weight of her father’s accusations shatter her resolve? Expect a whirlwind of emotions as old wounds are reopened and loyalties are tested, pushing the characters to their limits.
As Savannah navigates the complex dynamics between Roman, Dean, and Alyssa, the simmering tension between her and Roman threatens to erupt once more. Their unresolved feelings hang heavy in the air, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, wondering if they will finally confront the truth of their relationship. Will they give in to the undeniable chemistry that crackles between them, or will external pressures force them apart? The next chapter promises to delve deeper into their emotional struggles, revealing secrets that could change everything. Prepare for a rollercoaster of revelations, heart-wrenching choices, and the fragile line between friendship and love.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.