Chapter 262
In Chapter 154 of “Dreams Folding Into Broken Time,” titled “I’ll Make Him Pay,” Roman is abruptly awakened in the early hours of the morning by a phone call from a private investigator named Cole, who is working on the Zane case. The call brings a mixture of anxiety and urgency, especially for Savannah, who is deeply concerned about her sister Chloe’s well-being. As they listen to Cole, the couple learns that Zane has left Los Angeles and is now living in Capri, Italy, where he has taken up work as a tattoo artist. This revelation hits Savannah hard, filling her with disappointment and anger as she realizes Zane is evading responsibility for his actions regarding Chloe.
Savannah’s emotions intensify as she processes the news, expressing her fury at Zane for abandoning them and potentially harming Chloe. Her anger escalates as she speculates that Chloe may be complicit in Zane’s actions, raising doubts about her sister’s innocence. Roman tries to calm her, but Savannah is resolute in her belief that Zane has manipulated the situation to frame someone else. The tension between them grows as they contemplate the possibility that Chloe is not just a victim but an accomplice, revealing the complexity of their family dynamics and the depth of Savannah’s feelings.
As the conversation with Cole continues, Savannah’s determination to find Zane intensifies. She demands that the investigator look into whether Chloe might be living under a different identity and insists on obtaining Zane’s address so she can confront him directly. Her fierce resolve is palpable, and despite Roman’s attempts to temper her emotions, Savannah is adamant about making Zane pay for what he has done. The chapter closes with a sense of unresolved tension as Roman and Savannah grapple with their next steps, highlighting the emotional stakes involved in their quest for justice and the truth about Chloe’s fate.
**Chapter 154: I’ll Make Him Pay p>
**Roman p>
It was just past two in the morning when the shrill ring of my phone shattered the tranquility of the night, penetrating the serene silence that had enveloped us. The sound sliced through the darkness, jolting me from the depths of sleep, and it was loud enough to rouse Savannah, who lay beside me, her lips mumbling unintelligible words as she stirred.
I reached over cautiously, careful not to disturb her too much, and fumbled with the device to lower the volume. Yet, the screen lit up again, the call persistent and demanding. Savannah blinked sleepily, her long lashes fluttering as she rubbed the remnants of slumber from her eyes.
“Who’s calling?” she murmured, her voice still thick with the haze of sleep.
I squinted at the caller ID, my heart racing slightly. “It’s the private investigator,” I replied, propping myself up against the headboard, suddenly alert. “The one working on the Zane case p>
In an instant, her drowsiness evaporated. She shot upright, her hair a wild mess and her eyes wide with concern. “Well, answer it! He might have news about Chloe—or Zane!” Her urgency was palpable, and I could feel the tension rising in the air.
I pressed the button to accept the call, putting it on speaker. “Cole p>
“Sorry to wake you, Mr. Blackwood,” came the gruff voice of the investigator, a faint crackle of static underscoring his words.
“It’s fine,” I replied, dragging a hand down my face to shake off the remnants of sleep. “Tell me you’ve got something for us p>
There was a moment of silence on the other end, a pregnant pause that felt like an eternity. “I do. But I have both good news and bad news p>
Savannah leaned in closer, her gaze fixated on the phone as if it held the key to our salvation.
“Let’s start with the bad,” I said, bracing myself for the impact.
“Zane Rubio doesn’t live in Los Angeles anymore,” Cole stated flatly. “He’s gone. Moved out permanently p>
The words hit Savannah like a punch to the gut. I could see her face fall, her shoulders slumping as disappointment washed over her.
“And the good news?” I asked, desperately hoping for a glimmer of hope to soften the blow.
Cole exhaled, the sound heavy with gravity. “We tracked him down to Capri. He’s settled in as a local tattoo artist p>
Savannah’s head whipped toward the phone, her eyes wide with disbelief. “What?” she exclaimed, her voice rising in pitch. “Capri, Italy? Are you serious p>
“Dead serious,” Cole affirmed. “He left about three weeks ago. According to his landlord, he skipped town in a hurry, packed up overnight, and didn’t even bother to collect the rest of his rent. Just vanished p>
Savannah stared at the phone, her jaw clenched tight. “That bastard.” Her voice quivered with barely contained rage. “He knows what he did. He knows what happened to Chloe. That’s why he ran. He’s guilty, Roman. He must have hurt her, and now he’s hiding halfway across the world because he knows the law’s coming for him.” Her voice rose, every word laced with fury, her entire body trembling with the weight of her emotions.
I reached out, taking her hand in mine, squeezing gently in an effort to ground her. “Sav. Breathe. Calm down, my love p>
She shook her head vehemently, her eyes blazing with anger. “No, I won’t calm down. That sick fuck played us. He framed Dean, don’t you see it? He set this whole thing up!” Her voice dropped to a fierce whisper, but it trembled with conviction. “Wait. What if this isn’t about Chloe being gone at all? What if she’s in on it with him p>
Her words hung in the air, and I paused, taken aback.
I studied her, absorbing the implications of her thoughts, then looked away, my mind racing. Honestly, I wouldn’t put it past that psychotic little bitch. Chloe had always struck me as the type who’d ignite chaos just to watch the world burn. She once orchestrated an entire wedding scheme just to humiliate Savannah, and then faked a pregnancy to ensnare her co-conspirator. A mind like that didn’t play fair; it played deep.
“I wouldn’t rule it out,” I admitted, my voice low. “Your sister’s got a few screws loose up there, Sav. If she’s alive and hiding with him, that tells me she’s not a victim—she’s an accomplice p>
Anger twisted Savannah’s mouth, and I could see pain flicker in her eyes. “You’re right p>
Turning back to the phone, I pressed on. “Cole, any sign he’s not alone? Anyone he might be living with? Anyone hanging around him p>
Cole hesitated, a slight crack in his usual confidence. “My sources say he’s alone. No woman’s been seen with him, no roommate. He keeps to himself. But… that doesn’t mean she isn’t there. She could be living under a different name, laying low p>
Savannah leaned in closer to the phone, her determination palpable. “Can you look into it? Please. If she’s using another identity, find out who she’s pretending to be. And if you can’t find her—then give me Zane’s address.” Her tone hardened, cutting through her exhaustion like a knife. “Because I’ll find him myself. I’ll fly to Italy if I have to. And I swear to God, if he’s hurt my sister, I’ll p>
“Sav,” I interrupted softly, but she pressed on, her voice a fierce whisper.
“I’ll make him pay,” she finished, her voice trembling with the weight of restrained fury.
Cole cleared his throat, breaking the tension. “I’ll keep digging. I’ll let you know as soon as I have anything concrete p>
“Do that,” I said, my voice steady. “And keep this between us. No leaks p>
“Yes, Mr. Blackwood p>
As I ended the call and set the phone back on the nightstand, the room fell silent once more, but the air was thick with unresolved tension.
In the wake of the call, a storm brewed within Savannah, her emotions a tempest of anger and determination. The revelation that Zane had fled to Capri ignited a fire in her heart, a fierce resolve to confront the man she believed had wronged her sister. As she wrestled with the implications of Chloe’s possible involvement, the lines between victim and accomplice blurred, deepening the chasm of betrayal that now stretched between them. Roman, caught in the whirlwind of her fury, became her anchor, yet he too felt the weight of uncertainty pressing down on him. This moment was not just about seeking justice; it was a reckoning of family ties, loyalty, and the painful truths that lay hidden beneath the surface.
As the night wore on, the silence that enveloped them was no longer serene but charged with a sense of impending action. Savannah’s vow to make Zane pay echoed in the stillness, a promise laced with both vengeance and desperation. Roman understood that this journey would not only test their relationship but also force them to confront the darker aspects of their lives and the people they once trusted. Together, they stood on the precipice of a confrontation that would unravel the threads of their past, leading them into a labyrinth of deception and danger. In this moment, they were united by a common purpose, ready to face whatever lay ahead, even if it meant confronting the ghosts of their own making.
**What to Expect in Next Chapter p>
In the upcoming chapter, the stakes will rise as Savannah and Roman prepare to embark on a perilous journey that could lead them to the truth about Chloe and Zane. With emotions running high and the clock ticking, Savannah’s determination to confront Zane will be put to the test. Expect a whirlwind of planning and strategizing as they navigate the treacherous waters of deception, betrayal, and hidden identities. Their bond will be tested as they grapple with the implications of Chloe’s potential involvement in the chaos surrounding them, forcing them to confront not just the external threats but also the shadows of their past.
As they dig deeper into Zane’s life in Capri, readers can anticipate unexpected twists and encounters that will challenge their resolve. Will they find allies in their search, or will they be met with obstacles that threaten to derail their mission? The tension will be palpable as they inch closer to the truth, and the lines between friend and foe will blur. With Savannah’s fierce resolve to make Zane pay for his actions, the chapter promises to deliver high-stakes confrontations, emotional revelations, and a race against time that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, eager to uncover what lies ahead in this gripping tale of revenge and redemption.
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.