Chapter 72
In “Dreams Folding Into Broken Time,” the narrative unfolds with a sense of urgency as the characters grapple with impending changes in their lives. Savannah and her friend Chloe share a bittersweet moment as they realize their time in New Hope is coming to an end, prompting reflections on their relationships and future. The conversation takes a serious turn when Savannah jokingly suggests a reason for her breakup with Roman, revealing the complexities of their connection. Roman’s firm rejection of her suggestions hints at deeper issues, particularly concerning his family, which he has kept hidden for years.
As the dialogue progresses, Savannah learns for the first time about Roman’s family, a revelation that surprises her and stirs a mix of curiosity and concern. Roman’s reluctance to discuss his family adds a layer of tension to their interaction, as Savannah senses his emotional turmoil. The atmosphere shifts when Roman’s frustration becomes palpable, prompting Savannah to reach out to him in an attempt to diffuse the situation. Their dynamic, complicated by friendship and unspoken feelings, creates an emotional backdrop that drives the narrative forward.
Despite the tension, there are moments of levity as Savannah tries to lighten the mood with humor, showcasing her desire to connect with Roman amidst the chaos of his feelings. However, the conversation takes a serious turn again when Roman’s phone buzzes, indicating a looming confrontation with his family. This moment signifies a turning point in their relationship, as Savannah realizes that the revelations about Roman’s past could significantly alter their future together.
The chapter concludes with a sense of foreboding, as Savannah feels an unsettling certainty that whatever comes next will change everything. The combination of unresolved emotions, hidden truths, and the impending confrontation with Roman’s family creates a compelling narrative that leaves readers eager to discover the outcome of these intertwined lives.
**TITLE: Dreams Folding Into Broken Time p>
I couldn’t suppress the broad grin that spread across my face. As I cast a sideways glance at Chloe, I found her already staring intently at me, her gaze sharp enough to pin me against the wall.
She was the first to break the eye contact, looking away with a huff.
“We’ve only got a few days left in New Hope,” she said, her tone slightly wistful. “Then it’s back to Philly for us.” I shifted my legs, angling them toward Roman, who sat across from me, lowering my voice conspiratorially.
“Maybe we can claim irreconcilable differences as the reason for our breakup and the end of the engagement,” I suggested, half-joking, but with a hint of seriousness.
“No,” Roman replied without hesitation, his voice firm. “People will see right through that lie. It’s been overused to the point of becoming a cliché p>
I nodded, conceding his point. “Alright, how about we say that our demanding schedules and professional lives pulled us apart? We simply didn’t have any time for ourselves after returning, and we were thrown right back into work mode. That should suffice p>
His eyes locked onto mine, piercing and serious. “No. My family will see through that lie too. Especially now that Ryan has spilled the beans to all of them p>
“Your family?” I blinked in surprise. “Wait, you actually have one of those?” My shock was palpable, and I couldn’t hide it.
“Unfortunately, yes. Everyone has a family, don’t they p>
His words were deceptively mundane, yet they carried an unexpected weight. In the five years I had known Roman, this was the first time he had even hinted at the existence of his family. He never traveled home for the holidays, never spoke of parents or siblings.
I had only learned about his brother three days ago, and that revelation had been completely accidental.
A wave of curiosity washed over me, rising like steam from a boiling pot.
I found myself pondering what else he might be concealing and why he felt the need to keep so much of his life hidden from me—and from the world at large.
“I’m just surprised, that’s all. You’ve never brought them up before,” I said, my gaze drifting toward Lizzie and Alyssa, who were still engrossed in whatever was playing on the screen.
“They weren’t worth mentioning,” he muttered, his tone flat. “But now, they’ve barged in uninvited p>
I could sense a shift in him, a subtle tension that felt like a string pulled too tight. His fingers curled into a fist before they relaxed against his thigh.
I swallowed hard, uncertain of how to navigate the brewing storm that was angry Roman. Even after five years of friendship—and a few days of whatever this complicated situation was—my instincts were still on high alert.
Best friends with benefits? Friends with complications? I had no idea what label to attach to us anymore.
So, I inched closer, looping my arm through his and resting my head gently against his shoulder.
“Please don’t get upset. I’m not sure how to handle this,” I murmured, trying to lighten the mood.
He smiled, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly, a flicker of warmth breaking through his tension.
I chuckled at the nickname he had coined for the version of himself that was currently battling his emotions. “So, is it working? Are you still angry p>
He hesitated, his gaze drifting to some point across the room, lost in thought.
With a heavy sigh, the remnants of his earlier fury resurfaced. “You don’t understand, Savannah p>
“Then make me understand,” I urged softly, my voice almost a whisper. “That’s what friends do, right? Even if they’re a bit… complicated p>
He let out a small laugh, a deep, low sound that rumbled through him, shaking his head as if he were trying to dispel the chaos swirling between us.
“My family isn’t exactly your typical family, Sav,” he said, a hint of bitterness creeping into his tone.
I smirked playfully, “Are you from a bloodline of vampires p>
His eyes darkened, and he replied with surprising intensity, “I’d take that over what I have any day p>
I opened my mouth to make another joke, but just then, his phone buzzed insistently. He glanced at the screen, and in that fleeting moment, his expression shifted—just enough for me to realize it was probably a message from them. His family.
Without another word, he stood up abruptly. “Give me a minute. I have to take this p>
He moved through the crowd with an effortless grace, as though he were walking toward a confrontation he had been dreading for some time.
From the corner of my eye, I caught Chloe watching me again, a slow, wicked smile curling on her lips, and I felt a prickle of unease dance up my spine. I wasn’t sure whether it was her smile or the unanswered questions swirling in my mind, but a deep-seated certainty settled in my gut: whatever was coming next would change everything.
As the weight of unspoken truths hung in the air, I felt the fragile threads of our connection stretch taut, teetering on the brink of unraveling. Roman’s abrupt departure left me with a hollow ache, a reminder that beneath the laughter and banter, there lay a chasm of untold stories and unresolved emotions. Our playful exchanges had masked deeper vulnerabilities, and now, as I watched him disappear into the crowd, I realized that the complexities of our relationship were far from trivial. Chloe’s knowing glance only intensified the tumult within me; the impending confrontation with his family loomed like a storm cloud, threatening to disrupt the fragile peace we had built.
In that moment of uncertainty, I understood that our time in New Hope was dwindling, and with it, the opportunity to confront the truths that lingered just beneath the surface. I yearned to bridge the gap between us, to transform the chaos into clarity, but I also recognized that some battles must be fought alone. As I sat in the fading light, my heart ached with the weight of what was yet to be said, and I resolved to be there for him, ready to navigate the complexities of his world when he returned. The journey ahead promised to be fraught with challenges, but it also held the potential for a deeper connection, one that could finally mend the fractures of our intertwined lives.
In the next chapter, expect the tension to escalate as Roman confronts the realities of his family ties and the secrets he has long kept hidden. The abruptness of his departure leaves Savannah in a whirlwind of emotions, grappling with her own feelings about their complicated relationship. As she navigates the aftermath of his sudden exit, she must also contend with Chloe’s knowing glances and the unspoken questions hanging in the air. Will Savannah uncover the truth behind Roman’s family, or will she find herself further entangled in a web of mystery and uncharted emotions?
Moreover, the dynamic between Savannah and Roman is poised to shift dramatically. With Roman’s family looming over them, the stakes are higher than ever. As Savannah seeks to understand the man she thought she knew, she may discover layers of complexity that challenge her perception of their friendship. Will her attempts to bridge the gap between them bring them closer together, or will the revelations drive them further apart? Prepare for a chapter filled with revelations, emotional confrontations, and the potential for transformation as dreams fold into the realities of broken time.
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.