Chapter 217
In Chapter 217 of “Dreams Folding Into Broken Time,” the protagonist finds herself in a tense situation with Dean, who is grappling with a distressing phone call. As they drive through the rain, Dean’s demeanor shifts dramatically upon receiving a call that reveals he is being accused of a serious crime involving Chloe, a woman from his past. The atmosphere is thick with anxiety as Dean struggles to comprehend the accusations against him, which include the word “rape.” The protagonist feels a sense of detachment from the unfolding drama, overwhelmed by exhaustion rather than empathy for Dean’s plight.
Dean’s emotional turmoil becomes palpable as he grapples with the implications of the call. His frustration and fear are evident as he insists on his innocence, recalling his alibi and expressing disbelief at the accusations. The protagonist, while aware of the gravity of the situation, feels an unsettling numbness, unable to connect with the emotional weight of Dean’s words. This disconnect highlights her internal struggle, as she is caught in a moment that feels surreal and impossible to process.
As the conversation reaches a breaking point, Dean’s emotional facade crumbles, and he breaks down in tears, seeking solace in the protagonist’s presence. This moment is charged with raw emotion, as Dean’s sobs reveal a depth of pain and vulnerability that he has been holding back. The protagonist is taken aback, feeling both the weight of his sorrow and her own inability to respond in a comforting manner. Instead of pushing him away, she remains frozen, witnessing the intensity of his grief, which creates an intimate yet uncomfortable atmosphere in the car.
When Dean finally pulls away, his expression is one of despair and shame, and he apologizes for his outburst. The protagonist attempts to reassure him, but her own voice feels hollow in the face of the chaos surrounding them. Dean’s insistence that he has not been near Chloe or the river where his DNA was found adds another layer of confusion and urgency to the situation. The chapter concludes with a sense of unresolved tension, leaving both characters in a state of emotional turmoil as they grapple with the implications of the accusations and their impact on their lives.
**TITLE: Dreams Folding Into Broken Time p>
**Chapter 217 p>
**Chapter 131: Nightmarish Day p>
“Should I drop you off at your place or… at your fiancé’s?” Dean inquired, his voice tinged with a careful politeness that felt almost forced.
Outside, the rain had eased from its earlier fury, transforming into a gentle patter against the windshield. “Let’s stop by my place first,” I replied, my eyes glued to the rivulets of water racing down the glass, each drop competing for the finish line. “I’ll be staying at Roman’s tonight, so I need to grab a few things p>
The silence hung heavy between us. Roman still hadn’t responded to my texts, and a knot of worry began to unfurl in my stomach. What if something was wrong?
Dean nodded, his expression unreadable. “Alright. I’ll p>
Before he could finish his thought, his phone erupted with a shrill ring, jolting me from my reverie. I winced, the sound slicing through the quiet like a knife.
“Sorry about that,” he muttered, his eyes darting to the caller ID. I could see the color drain from his face, leaving behind a pallor that sent a shiver down my spine. “Great,” he mumbled under his breath, almost as if trying to convince himself. “Just great p>
He abruptly pulled over to the curb, the engine sputtering to silence.
I chose not to pry about the call. After the day we’d endured, I wasn’t in the mood to delve into Dean’s complications. Instead, I leaned back in my seat, allowing the rhythmic sound of the rain to envelop us as he answered the call.
“Good evening, sir.” His voice shifted, adopting a stiffer, more cautious tone that felt foreign to me.
There was a pause, heavy with unspoken words.
“No, I’m in Philadelphia at the moment p>
Another pause, this one stretching longer, thickening the air with tension.
“What? I drove here! How does that equate to fleeing? I’m literally with her sister right now! I took her to see their mom in the hospital p>
I stole a glance at him, though I kept my head still. He was tense, his shoulders rigid, jaw clenched, and his fingers were gripping the steering wheel as if it were a lifeline.
“Of course, I understand,” he replied after a beat, his voice a mixture of frustration and disbelief. “But this is outrageous. All of this is insane because I did nothing to her p>
His voice cracked, and I could sense the panic rising within him.
“What do you mean?” His tone sharpened, a mix of confusion and fear. “That’s a lie! Someone’s clearly setting me up! I wasn’t even home yesterday! I was with Savannah Hart! I drove from Pennsylvania to Philadelphia—” He abruptly stopped, his expression shifting. “Does my mom know about this p>
Fear seeped into his voice, palpable even from where I sat.
Yet, despite the gravity of the situation, I felt nothing. No concern, no sympathy—just an overwhelming, dull exhaustion that settled heavily in my chest.
He continued to speak, his words tumbling out in a frantic rush. “How can my DNA be found there when I haven’t been near anything of Chloe’s for weeks p>
He paused, listening intently to the response on the other end. Whatever they said hit him like a physical blow.
“Rape?! This is insane! Someone is doing this on purpose! I would never do that p>
My heart raced at the word. Rape? The accusation felt surreal, almost unfathomable. Dean? Accused of such a heinous act? It seemed impossible to reconcile with the Dean I knew.
That chaotic night at the strip club flashed through my mind—Dean intoxicated, lost in the haze of alcohol. But the Dean I knew would never cross that line.
He ended the call abruptly, his breath coming in harsh gasps, knuckles white against the steering wheel.
I waited, expecting him to restart the engine, but he remained frozen, as if time itself had stopped.
His phone slipped from his fingers, landing in his lap with a soft thud. Both hands fell to his knees, trembling slightly, his gaze fixed on some distant point that wasn’t there.
The silence in the car grew unbearable, stretching between us like an unbridgeable chasm. “Dean?” I nudged his arm gently, unsure of how else to break the tension.
He turned slowly toward me, as if emerging from a nightmare, and before I could process what was happening, he leaned in, wrapping his arms around me, pressing his head against my chest.
I froze, caught off guard.
His entire body shook as he sobbed, the sound raw and unrestrained, as if he had been holding back the weight of the world for far too long.
At first, it was quiet, but soon it morphed into a guttural wail, the kind that echoed with years of pent-up pain.
His tears soaked through my shirt, and the sound of his choked breaths filled the confined space of the car, drowning out the gentle tapping of the rain.
I should have pushed him away, should have created distance, but I found myself unable to move. I couldn’t bring myself to hug him back; instead, I sat there, rigid, staring blankly at the blurry streetlights outside. The rain had transformed into a mist, softly caressing the glass.
I couldn’t remember the last time someone had cried like this in my presence, on me.
When he finally pulled away, his eyes were red and swollen, his expression a haunting mix of despair and shame.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
I cleared my throat, attempting to find my own voice amidst the chaos. “It’s fine,” I replied, my words sounding hollow, as if they were echoes of someone else.
He rubbed his face, a groan escaping his lips. “They found some of Chloe’s things—my DNA on them—by the river. It doesn’t make sense, Sav! I haven’t seen her in weeks! I haven’t even been near that river in… years p>
In the dim light of the car, the weight of Dean’s anguish hung heavily in the air, intertwining with the remnants of my own unresolved emotions. The accusation looming over him felt like a dark cloud, casting shadows on everything we had shared. I sat there, paralyzed by a mixture of disbelief and sorrow, grappling with the reality that the man I had known could be entangled in such a horrific situation. Yet, as I watched him break down, the rawness of his pain seeped into my heart, igniting a flicker of empathy amidst my confusion. It was a reminder that beneath the surface of our lives, chaos often lurked, waiting for the right moment to unravel our carefully woven narratives.
As the rain continued to fall gently, I realized that this moment was pivotal—not just for Dean, but for me as well. It forced me to confront the fragility of trust and the complexities of human connection. I may not have had the answers to his predicament, nor could I fully comprehend the depth of his suffering, but I understood that we were both at a crossroads. The dreams we had once envisioned were folding into a reality marred by broken time, where the past and present collided in heart-wrenching uncertainty. In that silence, I made a silent vow to stand by him, to navigate this storm together, no matter how tumultuous the journey ahead might be.
**What to Expect in Next Chapter p>
As the storm clouds of uncertainty gather around Dean, the next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tangled web of accusations and secrets that threaten to engulf both him and Savannah. With Dean’s world spiraling into chaos, the reader can expect a gripping exploration of loyalty and betrayal as Savannah grapples with her own feelings about the shocking revelations. Will she stand by him, or will the weight of the allegations force her to confront uncomfortable truths about their past? The tension between them is palpable, and the emotional stakes are higher than ever as they navigate the treacherous waters of trust and doubt.
Moreover, the looming presence of Roman adds another layer of complexity to the narrative. As Savannah prepares to spend the night at his place, the question of her commitment to him—and what his reaction will be to Dean’s predicament—creates an undercurrent of suspense. Will Roman’s support be a beacon of hope, or will it further complicate Savannah’s already tumultuous emotions? The next chapter is poised to unravel not just the mystery behind the accusations but also the shifting dynamics between the trio, leaving readers on the edge of their seats as they anticipate the choices Savannah will ultimately have to make.
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.