Chapter 107
In Chapter 107 of “Dreams Folding Into Broken Time,” the tension escalates as Savannah encounters Reese, Roman’s younger brother, who possesses a striking resemblance to Roman but with a more playful demeanor. Reese’s confident and mischievous nature immediately contrasts with Roman’s dark, brooding presence. Savannah is taken aback by the unexpected family reunion, feeling a mix of astonishment and discomfort as Reese engages her in conversation, teasingly acknowledging her as Roman’s fiancée and best friend.
Roman’s reaction to Reese is one of palpable anger and frustration, revealing a complicated family dynamic filled with unresolved issues. As Reese casually mentions their estranged brother Ryan and presents an invitation to their father’s upcoming birthday, Roman’s demeanor shifts from irritation to fury. The mention of Ryan, who abandoned his responsibilities, and the implications of family ties weigh heavily on the atmosphere, causing Roman to struggle with his emotions. Savannah observes the tension, feeling the strain in the air as Roman battles with his feelings of betrayal and resentment.
Reese’s flippant attitude towards family matters, particularly his laughter at Ryan’s situation, only deepens the rift between the brothers. Roman’s protective instincts for Savannah become evident as he warns Reese to keep her out of their family drama. The conversation takes a darker turn when Reese reveals their father’s terminal illness, which forces Roman to confront his complicated feelings about family and responsibility. Savannah’s heart races as she senses the gravity of the situation, feeling the weight of Reese’s revelation and the impending family crisis looming over them.
The chapter concludes with a mix of emotions—Savannah feels a sense of dread and concern for Roman, who is visibly affected by the news, while the underlying tension between the brothers suggests that unresolved conflicts will soon come to a head. The familial bonds, fraught with pain and history, are poised to unravel, leaving Savannah caught in the middle of a family drama that threatens to change everything.
**Dreams Folding Into Broken Time p>
**Chapter 107 p>
He stood tall, just a hair shy of Roman’s impressive height, yet the familial resemblance was strikingly apparent. His hair, a striking blonde with roots darker than the sun-kissed tips, was gathered into a meticulously crafted man bun that exuded an air of effortless luxury. His eyes mirrored Roman’s green, though they were softer, almost hazel, and they sparkled with a mischievous glint that suggested he was always ready to make a joke, even in the somberest of settings. An unsettling grin danced on his lips, as if he found humor in even the most inappropriate moments—like funerals.
My jaw felt as if it had dropped to the floor, utterly astounded.
“Wait, that’s your brother?” I hissed toward Roman, my voice barely above a whisper. But my attempt at discretion was a dismal failure, echoing louder than I intended.
The stranger’s grin widened, revealing a confidence that seemed almost contagious. He sauntered closer, his swagger effortless, and slid into the seat next to me as if it were his rightful place.
Roman muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like a curse in a language I didn’t recognize. His glare was fierce enough to melt steel.
“Hi,” the stranger said, lifting his hand in a playful wave, though we were so close I could feel the warmth of his breath. “You must be the fiancée and the best friend.” His voice dripped with a teasing amusement that made my skin prickle.
Before I could collect my scattered thoughts, Roman snapped, “Leave her alone. What are you doing here, Reese p>
Reese.
The name fit him perfectly—sleek, sharp, and almost too beautiful for his own good. He leaned back with a nonchalance that made his tailored three-piece suit appear as if it had been tailored just for him.
“Excuse his manners, sweet pea,” Reese said, his eyes sparkling as they settled on me. “Not all of us were raised in a cave. Just him. I’m Reese, the younger brother.” His gaze lingered on my face, an intensity that was both flattering and unsettling. “And what’s your name, honey p>
I blinked, shooting a glance at Roman, seeking his approval or disapproval to respond. He remained silent, his mood darkening the atmosphere around us, his eyes simmering with barely contained fury, as if he were on the brink of leaping across the table and committing fratricide.
“Savannah,” I finally managed to say, my voice softer than I intended.
Reese’s smile widened, and for a fleeting moment, a chill ran down my spine. He bore an uncanny resemblance to Roman—same sharp bone structure, same piercing gaze—but there was a playful edge to him that Roman would never allow himself to exhibit. He was like a polished mirror image, dangerous in a way that was entirely different.
“Reese, I ask you again,” Roman hissed, venom lacing his words, “why are you here p>
“Can’t I miss my big brother?” Reese tilted his head, feigning innocence. “What’s it been now—six years? Seven? Ten p>
“Bullshit,” Roman spat, his tone sharp.
“You know me too well, bro,” Reese replied, a smirk playing on his lips, unfazed by the tension. He produced an envelope from his jacket pocket as if he had been waiting for this precise moment. With a deliberate motion, he placed it on the table between us.
It gleamed under the dim light.
Roman regarded the card with a look of disdain, as if it were a venomous snake. Meanwhile, I found myself nearly drooling at its sight. It was black velvet, heavy in my hands, adorned with intricate spirals of gold, crimson, and emerald roses. It didn’t just look expensive; it radiated power, wealth, and authority.
“Daddy dearest is turning seventy next month,” Reese said smoothly. “You’re needed. Ryan’s been trying to reach you, but apparently, you’re too stubborn to answer p>
At the mere mention of that name, Roman’s entire demeanor shifted, his body going rigid. He glared at the card as though it were a toxic substance.
“You dare mention Ryan in my presence?” His voice was low, a dangerous growl.
Reese merely shrugged, his attention shifting back to me. “He’s our eldest brother. Can’t exactly erase him from the family. Blood’s blood, right p>
Roman let out a humorless laugh that echoed with bitterness. “You see that girl by the couple?” He gestured sharply across the room. “She’s here because of Ryan p>
Reese followed his gaze, then grinned. “She’s hot. Nice ass p>
I nearly choked on my water.
“Not that one, idiot. That’s Lizzie.” Roman ground out, irritation seeping into his tone. “The little girl in the white dress. Her name’s Emily p>
Reese squinted, then sat up straighter. “Wait—don’t tell me that’s Ryan’s p>
“Exactly.” Roman’s voice cracked like a whip. “That’s your niece. He knocked up a girl and then vanished for five years p>
For a moment, Reese was taken aback, his expression shifting to one of disbelief. Then, to my dismay, he burst into laughter.
His laughter was so loud it turned heads, drawing curious glances from nearby tables. Roman’s lips twitched as well, though his laughter was bitter and sharp.
“My thoughts exactly,” Roman added, his tone laced with irony.
“Ryan,” Reese wheezed, clutching his side as he struggled to regain his composure. “Who would’ve thought? Guess the great marketer found something to do with his… assets p>
I felt my cheeks flush crimson.
“So Ryan does have interests beyond marketing figures? This is rather delightful information I’ll be more than happy to relay to the family.” Reese winked at me when he caught my shocked reaction to their bizarre family dynamic.
Roman was not amused. His eyes flicked to mine and then back to Reese, a promise of violence simmering beneath the surface.
Reese smoothed a hand through his hair and stood, straightening his jacket with an air of finality. “Anyway, my job’s done here. Just delivering the message p>
“Take it back,” Roman snapped, his voice firm. “I’m not going p>
I turned to him, shocked. “Roman p>
He raised a hand sharply. “Savannah. Don’t p>
Reese chuckled, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Listen to your best friend, brother. Besides, she’s invited too. Father wants to meet her.” Then, in a softer, more dangerous tone, he added, “And Cassandra is dying to meet her as well p>
The name struck Roman like a blade, and his entire body coiled, rage rippling through him in a way that made my breath catch in my throat. Cassandra—whoever she was—had elicited a reaction from Roman that was primal, as if he wanted to strangle the very air that carried her name.
“Don’t,” he growled, stepping forward until they were toe-to-toe. “Don’t ever say that name in front of me again p>
Reese tilted his head, unbothered by the tension. “Still clinging to that old wound? You never could let things go p>
Roman’s teeth clenched, his towering figure casting a shadow over his brother. “Get. Out p>
Whispers rippled through the room, eyes darting toward the two brothers, watching the tension escalate as if it were a spectacle.
Reese shoved his hands into his pockets, leaning forward slightly, an air of casual bravado about him. “Father doesn’t have much time, Roman. That’s why he wants all of us together p>
Roman’s breath hitched, confusion and concern flickering in his eyes. “What are you talking about p>
Reese’s smirk faltered for just a moment, his tone softening. “He’s sick. Terminal. A few months left, maybe less p>
The world tilted on its axis.
Roman’s face remained impassive, but I could see the storm brewing in his eyes, a dangerous tension building that threatened to erupt. My own chest tightened, my heart racing as the weight of Reese’s words settled over us like an ominous shroud.
As the echoes of Reese’s revelation hung heavy in the air, the emotional landscape shifted dramatically for both Roman and me. The playful banter that had briefly lightened the mood was now overshadowed by the stark reality of their father’s impending mortality. Roman’s fierce exterior, which had been a shield against the chaos of his family, began to crack, revealing the vulnerability beneath. I could see the storm brewing within him, a tempest of anger, betrayal, and sorrow, as he grappled with the implications of what Reese had shared. The gravity of the situation pulled at my heartstrings, forcing me to confront the fragility of family ties and the shadows of the past that lingered, threatening to consume them both.
In that moment, I understood that the path ahead would not be easy for Roman. The return of his brother, coupled with the news of their father’s illness, would force him to navigate a treacherous terrain of unresolved emotions and painful memories. My own feelings swirled in tandem, a mixture of empathy for Roman’s plight and fear of what this familial upheaval could mean for us. As I reached for his hand, seeking to offer comfort amidst the chaos, I realized that we were at a crossroads. The choices we made in the coming days would shape not only our relationship but also the very fabric of the family that had haunted Roman for so long. It was a moment of reckoning, a chance to confront the past and forge a new future, even as the specter of broken time loomed over us.
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter p>
As the tension between the brothers escalates, the next chapter promises to delve deeper into the fractured relationship between Roman and Reese. With the revelation of their father’s terminal illness hanging in the air, the stakes have never been higher. Will Roman be forced to confront his past and the family he has tried so hard to escape? The impending family gathering looms ominously, setting the stage for long-buried secrets to surface and unresolved conflicts to ignite. The dynamics of loyalty and betrayal will be tested as Savannah finds herself caught in the crossfire of a family drama that could change everything.
Moreover, the introduction of Cassandra adds another layer of intrigue. Who is she, and how does she fit into this tangled web of relationships? Roman’s visceral reaction to her name hints at a painful history that could unravel in unexpected ways. As Savannah navigates her own feelings for Roman amidst this chaos, the chapter will explore the complexities of love, loyalty, and the lengths one might go to protect those they care about. Readers can expect emotional confrontations, shocking revelations, and perhaps even a glimpse into the darker corners of the family’s legacy, all while Savannah grapples with her place in this fractured world. The next chapter promises to be a rollercoaster of emotions, leaving readers breathless and eager for more.
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.