Chapter 62
In Chapter 40 of “Dreams Folding Into Broken Time,” the protagonist experiences a shocking revelation when she sees a VIP guest list featuring her fiancé, Roman Nicholas Blackwood, alongside a roster of elite individuals. The discovery unfolds through Dean’s smug commentary, which intensifies her emotional turmoil. The stark reality of Roman’s hidden life hits her hard, leaving her breathless and disoriented. The fear of scandal looms large, especially with Dean poised to share this explosive information with her gossip-hungry sister, Chloe.
As the tension builds, the protagonist grapples with her feelings of betrayal and the urgency to protect Roman from Dean’s malicious intentions. The image of Roman, laughing and interacting with her sister and niece, contrasts sharply with the chaos in her mind. This moment evokes a sense of longing and highlights the facade she feels trapped in, as she struggles to navigate the complexities of her relationship with Roman and the threat posed by Dean’s revelations.
Determined not to appear weak or vulnerable, she resolves to outsmart Dean by crafting a narrative that will keep him from spreading rumors. The chapter captures her internal conflict as she weighs her options and considers how to maintain control over the situation. The stakes are high, and the protagonist’s anxiety is palpable as she contemplates the potential fallout from Dean’s discovery.
In a moment of clarity, she recalls Chloe’s recent behavior, which could inadvertently complicate matters further. Her sharp questioning of Dean about whether he has shared the information with her sister reveals her desperation to protect her fiancé and her own reputation. The chapter closes with a sense of impending confrontation, as the protagonist steels herself for the challenges ahead, determined to safeguard her relationship amidst the chaos.
**TITLE: Dreams Folding Into Broken Time p>
**Chapter 40: The Things I’m Into p>
The image displayed on Dean’s phone struck me like a physical blow, the kind that leaves you breathless and reeling.
But it wasn’t merely an image; it was something far more insidious.
Way worse than I could have ever anticipated.
At the very top of the glaring, clinical white webpage, bold letters announced: VIP Guest List – The Velvet Desires. My eyes raced across the names listed, my heartbeat pounding in my ears like a war drum.
There it was, unmistakable and glaring: Roman’s full name, printed in stark black text. No clever pseudonym, no disguise.
Roman Nicholas Blackwood.
Beneath his name lay a dazzling array of potential scandal, a veritable who’s who of the elite. Oil magnates, tech titans, heirs to vast empires, influential political figures, and CEOs of corporations that towered over the city skyline.
Even two well-known pastors, their grinning faces familiar from the Sunday morning television broadcasts, were included.
A wave of nausea rolled through me. How on earth had Dean stumbled upon this?
“I take it this is your first glimpse into your fiancé’s secret life,” Dean remarked, his voice dripping with smug satisfaction as he pulled the phone back towards himself. “I warned you about this guy. Rich men like him? They have some seriously twisted kinks p>
My fingers twitched with the urge to slap that self-satisfied smirk right off his face. My heart raced so violently, I felt as if the world around me was spinning—everything too bright, too sharp.
Even the grass beneath my feet seemed to sway, the vertigo overwhelming. This couldn’t be happening. It felt unreal, like a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from.
Because if this was true… Dean now held a weapon of mass destruction, one he would be all too willing to drop into Chloe’s eager, gossip-hungry lap.
And Chloe? She was a vault with a broken lock. Secrets were not safe with her; her mouth was as open as her legs—always ready to spill.
Leaning back in his folding chair, Dean exuded the kind of self-satisfied air reminiscent of a priest preparing to deliver a sermon to a congregation of sinners. “Oh, and I did a little digging for you. Turns out,” he paused, relishing the moment, “he placed his last order just two days before you two arrived.” The words fell from his lips like a bombshell.
That single word—order—made my skin crawl, sending a shiver through me that felt like ice in my veins. I could almost taste it, metallic and bitter.
I had mere seconds to think. Just two fleeting seconds to save Roman, to save myself, to prevent Dean’s venom from seeping into Chloe’s ears. Because once she caught wind of something like this, she’d broadcast it across the barbecue before the ribs even had a chance to finish smoking.
Then I would become the laughingstock all over again.
Dean’s voice continued to drip with the kind of self-satisfaction only a man who believed he had just won could muster. “This guy, Sav. He’s nothing like the boys you used to date. I mean, I get it—the whole thing’s a sham, some kind of charade to get back at me—but still. You? Him? It’s like two different worlds colliding. It just doesn’t make sense p>
Oh, but it made perfect sense. In ways Dean’s narrow mind could never comprehend.
My thoughts raced through potential escape routes. Deny it? That would come off as weak. Pretend to be shocked? Too risky—Dean would smell blood and push harder.
No, the only way to outmaneuver a man like Dean was to dive headfirst into the lie, to weave it so intricately that he wouldn’t know which way was up.
I let my gaze drift past him for just a heartbeat. Across the yard, Roman was engaged with my sister and her daughter. Emily tugged at his sleeve, her laughter ringing out like music as she shared some innocent joke, her gap-toothed smile radiant in the sunlight.
Alyssa was laughing too, relaxed and almost glowing, the three of them forming a picture of a perfect little family. For one sharp, disloyal moment, I felt a pang of longing twist in my chest.
Roman caught my eye from across the yard, his expression shifting to concern. “You okay?” he mouthed, his lips forming the words silently.
I forced a smile and nodded, though I could tell he wasn’t convinced. But before he could probe further, Emily’s bright, chattering voice pulled his attention back.
Then, suddenly, a memory surfaced—Chloe.
Oh my God.
My head snapped in her direction. She was animatedly discussing an expensive bracelet Dean had gifted her, one that had mysteriously vanished after her last yoga class. She was convinced her students had stolen it.
I turned back to Dean, my tone crisp and unyielding. “Did you tell my sister about this p>
In the aftermath of Dean’s revelations, a tempest of emotions swirled within me, a chaotic blend of betrayal, fear, and an unexpected resolve. The image of Roman’s name on that list haunted me, a stark reminder of the chasm between our worlds. Yet, as I caught sight of him laughing with my sister and niece, the warmth of their connection ignited a flicker of hope amidst the turmoil. I realized that the truth of our relationship was not defined by the shadows lurking in his past but by the light we created together in the present. The weight of Dean’s words threatened to crush me, but I understood that I had the power to shape my narrative, to shield Roman from the impending storm.
Determined to protect what we had built, I steeled myself against Dean’s manipulations. I could no longer afford to be a passive player in this game of secrets and lies. Instead, I would confront the chaos head-on, weaving a story so intricate that it would shield Roman from the prying eyes of gossip and judgment. As I faced Dean, my heart raced not with fear but with the fierce desire to reclaim my agency. I would not allow the past to dictate my future; I would fight for the love that blossomed in the cracks of uncertainty. In that moment, I chose to embrace the complexity of my life, ready to navigate the broken time of our dreams and desires, and emerge stronger, hand in hand with Roman.
In the upcoming chapter, tension will reach a boiling point as Sav grapples with the revelation of Roman’s hidden life and the potential fallout. With Dean reveling in his newfound leverage, Sav must navigate a treacherous landscape of secrets and lies, all while trying to protect the fragile facade of her relationship. The stakes have never been higher, and the clock is ticking as she races against time to keep Chloe from discovering the explosive truth. Will Sav find a way to outsmart Dean, or will her sister’s insatiable curiosity lead to a devastating unraveling?
As the narrative unfolds, readers can expect to delve deeper into the complexities of Sav and Roman’s relationship. The juxtaposition of their seemingly perfect moments against the backdrop of looming scandal will create a palpable sense of urgency. Will Sav confront Roman about his hidden world, or will she choose to shield him from the chaos Dean threatens to unleash? The emotional stakes will escalate, intertwining love, betrayal, and the desperate need for self-preservation. Prepare for revelations that will challenge Sav’s loyalties and force her to confront not just the truth about Roman, but also the truth about herself.
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.