Chapter 323
Chapter 323
Chapter 184: Where Are The Tapes?
Reese
The kitchen was warm in that quiet, late–night way that felt unreal. The kind of warmth that only comes when the house is sleeping and the world outside is black and still. The cake baked slowly in the oven. The overhead light cast a soft yellow glow that made the flour particles floating in the air look like dust motes dancing. The scent of vanilla, sugar and freshly baked cake lingered between us. Almost comforting.
Roman had barely spoken through most of the baking. His movements were automatic and slow. Scoop. Level. Pour. Stir. He looked like a man who was trying not to think but failing miserably. His jaw clenched when something crossed his mind. His shoulders tightened and released. His breathing was just a little too careful, like he was holding himself together with thread.
I watched him in small glances. I did not press him with questions. I did not poke at wounds that were already bleeding. I knew grief when I saw it. The raw kind. The kind that did not scream or throw things. The kind that sat quietly in your chest and kept your lungs from working.
The last thing I wanted was for Roman to hate himself for Dahlia. He had lived long enough in the dark. If I let silence swallow him now, he would drown. So I tried to give him a little grace. To give him something else. Something soft. Something that reminded him of what Dahlia really was instead of what he had convinced himself to believe. Until now.
“She made a portrait of you,” I said gently, without looking at him right away. “I kept it p>
His hand stopped moving. Slowly, he turned his head toward me. “I never even knew she loved to paint. Heck, I never knew she could even
paint p>
“She did.” I felt a small smile pull at the corner of my lips, one that hurt. “It was Dahlia’s favorite thing. She loved it. She loved painting
anything and everything. It was something they could never take away from her p>
He exhaled, long and shaky. His fingers gripped the edge of the counter as though it could keep him upright.
“I feel like an asshole. I feel like the worst person on earth, Reese.” His voice was quiet, almost inaudible. “I played a part in her death
and yet-” He paused and shut his eyes so tight it looked painful. “For years, I believed she betrayed me p>
There it was. The wound he never let breathe.
“Don’t do that, Roman. She wouldn’t want you to do that. Dahlia would want you to be happy. I’m certain she’s happy wherever she is,
looking down at you and Savannah p>
He laughed, though it came out rough, sharp, without any real joy. “I highly doubt that. Who would be happy to see her husband happily
move on with someone else p>
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Chapter 323
Without hesitation, I answered. “Dahlia. The woman I knew would be happy that you’re happy now with a whole baby on the way. That was all that mattered to her. And I’m certain that has not changed p>
Roman’s face twisted. His hands trembled.
“Fuck.” The word fell out of him, cracked and splintered. He dragged both hands down his face like he wanted to tear through his own skin. “I’m so stupid. I was such a shitty person. The last discussion I remember having with her was an accusation. Looking back now all I did was attack her and accuse her of being unfaithful and getting pregnant for another man. I was so stupid. I should have seen the signs. I should have known she was depressed. I should have p>
I moved before he could finish, before he could take another swing at himself. My arms wrapped tight around him. I did not think. I did
not plan. I just held him.
“That’s enough.” I told him, holding him tight. “It’s okay p>
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.