Chapter 480
Chapter 480
Everyone coped differently. Maybe humor was just his armor.
But then… there were the others. The bad eggs.
Ryan.
Rosalie.
Randall.
69%
My jaw tightened at the thought of Ryan. My biggest mistake since stepping foot in Blackwood Manor had been thinking I could control him.
That I could blackmail him with Emily.
A big fucking mistake.
I swallowed hard, my fingers curling against the stone beneath me. That night–God, that night–1 had genuinely thought I was going to die.
I’d seen my life flash before my eyes in vivid, horrifying clarity. Every breath had felt borrowed. Every second stolen.
I exhaled shakily.
“Feeling better now p>
I startled slightly, lifting my head.
River now stood beside me, her lips curved into a soft smile, concern flickering in her eyes.
I nodded, forcing myself to breathe properly again. “Yeah. Kind of p>
She sat down next to me, smoothing her dress over her knees. “I hope you understand I wasn’t trying to make you feel bad earlier p>
I turned toward her immediately. “Of course. This has nothing to do with you. At all p>
She studied my face, hesitation crossing her features. Her lips parted like she wanted to say something–something important.
Then she closed them again and shook her head.
“Never mind p>
My chest tightened. “What is it?” I asked gently.
She smiled quickly, too quickly. “Nothing.” Then she gestured toward the roses lining the garden path. “Aren’t they beautiful p>
I followed her gaze, even though a strange heaviness had settled in my chest.
“They are,” I said quietly. “So beautiful p>
She stood abruptly and extended her hand to me. “Do you want to see the ones Calder gave me in my bedroom p>
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10:54 Mon, Feb 2 DBB
Chapter 480
I smiled faintly, taking her hand. “Sure. Why not p>
We took only a few steps before my phone started ringing in my jeans pocket.
I frowned slightly, having almost forgotten it was even on me.
“Sorry,” I said quickly, pulling it out. “It’s Reese p>
River nodded, though her smile tightened just a bit as I swiped to answer
“Reese p>
His voice came through the line sharp and urgent.
“Savannah, you need to get back here. Right now p>
My heart skipped violently. “Why? Is something wrong? Did something happen to Roman p>
“Roman is awake p>
The world stopped.
Everything–sound, air, thought–froze. My fingers went numb around the phone.
River’s voice sounded distant. “Savannah? What is it? What’s going on p>
I tried to speak. I really did. But my tongue refused to cooperate. My throat locked up as tears blurred my vision.
I turned toward River, phone still pressed to my ear, tears streaming down my face.
I tried to tell her. No words came.
“What’s wrong?” she pleaded. “Savannah, talk to me p>
The phone slipped from my hand and hit the stone path with a dull clatter
I didn’t pick it up.
I ran.
I ran like my life depended on it.
River shouted after me, her voice echoing faintly behind, but I didn’t slow down. My heart was pounding so hard it hurt.
Roman is awake.
Roman is awake.
The words repeated over and over in my mind. It sounded unreal and impossible. Hope and terror twisted together inside my chest.
2/3
10:54 Mon, Feb 20 BB.
Chapter 480
When I reached the room, I shoved the door open without thinking. And then I heard him. His voice was clear and real.
“Why didn’t you tell me p>
I froze.
I didn’t care what they were talking about. I didn’t care who he was angry with or why.
Those words–those simple, imperfect words–were everything to me. Those were the first words I’d heard him speak in so long.
I would replay them forever.
I stepped inside slowly. He was lying on the bed, just as he’d been before.
But his eyes were open. And they were looking right at me.
A broken gasp left my lips. “Roman p>
For a split second, hope surged violently through me.
Then he spoke again. And the world shattered.
“Who is she p>
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.