Chapter 476
From Best Friend To Fiancé
Chapter 476
Chapter 270: Speaking Of Honesty
Reese
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I knew something was wrong the second Savannah bolted out of the room like the walls were closing in on her. That wasn’t just someone needing air.
That was someone drowning.
I turned slowly to River, my jaw tight, hands already curling into fists. “Wanna explain that?” I asked flatly. “What did you do to her p>
River stiffened. “I didn’t do anything. She needed a moment to reflect p>
“Reflect on what?” I snapped, cutting her off.
“We had a session,” she said calmly, too calmly. “She realized some things weren’t exactly how she believed them to be. She realized she hadn’t
been treating him well.” She said quietly. “She realized she took away his choice when she forced him into accepting a baby p>
I dragged a hand through my hair, pacing once, twice. “Jesus Christ, River p>
Her composure cracked. “What did I do p>
“Haven’t you learnt something? After all this time?” I struggled to keep my voice down. “You haven’t learnt to butt out of issues like this? That
is between them. It’s neither your business nor mine. They’re a couple. They’ll figure things out themselves p>
There was so much I wanted to say in that moment–things I believed she needed to hear. About her playing therapist. About timing. About
Roman lying unconscious in the bed ten feet away while Savannah was clearly unraveling.
But I swallowed it. Barely. It was fucking difficult.
“Next time you decide to pull some psychological deep dive,” I said tightly, “remember that this is Roman we’re talking about. It doesn’t matter
if you call it therapy or reflection–if you make his girl cry like that, he’s coming for you when he wakes up p>
Her eyes glistened. “I was just trying to help her. I didn’t mean to hurt her
I exhaled sharply. “Fuck. Stay here. I’ll talk to her p>
I didn’t wait for a response. I bolted.
The hallway blurred as I ran, my boots echoing against marble floors I’d grown up on but never truly felt at home in. I already knew where
she’d gone.
The rose garden.
Sure enough, I found her there–curled in on herself on the stone bench, shoulders shaking violently, hands covering her face as if the world
might vanish if she hid from it long enough.
Fuck.
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Chapter 476
I slowed my steps, anger immediately dissolving into something heavier. Something sharper.
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I sat beside her without saying a word, close enough that our knees almost touched but not close enough to crowd her. She was crying hard- deep, ragged sobs that stole breath and dignity and left nothing behind bu raw truth.
What the hell did River say to her?
I rested a hand gently against her back. “Savannah p>
No response. Just crying.
“Hey,” I tried again, softer. “Are you okay p>
She shook her head violently, still sobbing into her palms. “I’m such a bad person p>
My chest tightened.
“You’re not,” I said immediately.
She looked up then, face blotchy, lashes wet, eyes red and hollow. “River was right,” she choked. “I didn’t love him the way I should have. I
didn’t p>
I cut her off without thinking. “River doesn’t know shit p>
She stared at me like I’d insulted a sacred text. “You wouldn’t understand,” she said bitterly. “How could you p>
I held her gaze. “Because you think I’ve never been in love? ”
She didn’t answer.
The silence stretched, heavy with unspoken assumptions.
And before I could stop myself, I said, “Two weeks ago, my father called me into his office. ”
Her brows furrowed. “Okay p>
“He showed me a picture of my future wife. ”
She gasped. “What p>
“Lauren White,” I said. “Senator White’s daughter. “The same one whose brother Penny defended. The same one she screwed up and sent to
prison p>
She slowly wiped the tears from her face, listening now. Really listening.
“I told my father to go to hell,” I continued. “Said I wasn’t getting married Especially not to someone he picked. But later…” I shrugged. “Curiosity got the better of me and I looked her up on the internet. I wanted to find out what type of person she was. ”
“And? ”
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Chapter 476
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I snorted, “I couldn’t find much about her online. But I wouldn’t be surprised if she turns out to be just like her brother.” I said. “A walking nightmare. Entitled. Cruel. Public scandals everywhere. A professional victim with a god complex p>
Savannah grimaced. “Then why would he want you to marry someone like hat p>
“Because he believes he can,” I said simply. “That’s the answer every time He does these things because no one stops him. He’s been pulling strings and breaking people for decades.” I paused. “Look at River. She only endures this because Arthur’s a decent man p>
Savannah nodded slowly. “I thought the same.” She hesitated, then asked quietly, “What about Lizzie p>
My body went rigid. “What about her p>
“Have you tried contacting her? ”
I shook my head. “I don’t even have her number. And even if I did… I don’t know what I’d say. What’s the point anyways? ”
“Oh p>
I stared ahead at the fountain, water spilling endlessly into itself. “We slept together. Then shit hit the fan p>
She didn’t react.
“Figured you already knew,” I added. “You’re the one who brought her there. Girls talk about that all the time p>
“I didn’t know about what… happened between you two.” Savannah admitted softly. “But I knew she had intentions p>
I laughed hollowly. “Would’ve been nice to know. Could’ve saved me from looking like an idiot p>
“I’m sorry p>
I stood, stretching out the tension in my shoulders. “It’s fine. If we’re meant to cross paths again, we will.” I shrugged. “If not… then not p>
She stood too, giving me a small, sad smile.
“Speaking of honesty,” I said, turning toward the house, “there’s something I need to do p>
She frowned. “What p>
“I need to come clean about something,” I said. “And there’s no better time than now–while Roman can’t punch me for it p>
She huffed a weak laugh. “I’ll give you privacy. Call me when you’re done.
I nodded and headed back inside, bracing myself.
Some truths never stayed buried.
When I entered Roman’s room, I knew instantly something had changed.
River stood beside his bed, pale as death, eyes wide, staring down at him like she was looking at a ghost.
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“River?” I asked cautiously. “What is it p>
She turned to me slowly, lips trembling.
“Reese, she whispered, “I think… I think Roman moved.” Then she looked back at him again.
And my heart stopped.
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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.