Roman's hand rested firmly on my waist as he steered me through the polished glass doors of the restaurant. His touch was casual on the surface.but I knew better-Roman never did anything casually. Even here, in a place of white tablecloths and clinking wine glasses, he carried himself like a man staking his claim.

I, on the other hand, was a mess. My free hand kept fussing with my hair, then my skirt, then checking the buttons of my blouse. Every polished surface we passed caught me in it like a mirror, further enhancing my fear that people would know what went down in his office.

"Stop fussing, Sav." Roman's voice was low, threaded with amusement as he leaned down to my ear. "You look perfect."

."You always say that."

"Because it's always true."

I rolled my eyes, but the heat blooming in my cheeks betrayed me.The restaurant manager approached us, recognition lighting his face."Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood." He extended his hand,all deference and polished charm.

The title hit me like a drop of ice water. Mrs. Blackwood. My stomach fluttered with wild, dangerous butterflies.

Roman shook his hand with practiced ease, the corner of his mouth tipping up. "Afternoon."

We were led to a table by the window, tucked away enough for privacy, yet angled so the golden light streamed directly across Roman's

sharp profile. I tried not to stare, but it was impossible not to. He was just so unbelievably handsome. And I was just... plain me.

Ugh.

When we sat, I leaned forward, unable to hold back the teasing smile tugging at my lips. "Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood? Am I missing something?"

Roman shrugged, nonchalant, like he hadn't just detonated that little landmine in my chest. "Wouldn't want the same mistake twice, my love."

My pulse stuttered. He was referring to the last time in New Hope when I'd made that joke of being his wife and we'd laughed it off. And now... he said it as though it was already real.

We placed our orders, the exchange quick and easy, and when the food arrived, Roman let the silence stretch. He had that way of filling silence without speaking, of making me feel watched, chosen, valued.

Finally, he leaned back, eyes glittering across the table. "How have you been, Sav?" His gaze skimmed me like a hand, slow and deliberate. "Not that I need to ask. I mean, you're glowing. Look how beautiful you are."

I nearly dropped my fork. My hair fell into my face as I ducked,trying to tuck it behind my ear like some nervous schoolgirl. "Thanks."

Roman smirked, fishing his phone from his pocket. "Look at me."

I obeyed before I could think, and the click of the camera shutter sealed my fate.

"'Perfect." He slid the phone away with finality, as though he'd just captured proof of something undeniable.

I wanted to argue. To demand he delete it before I died of embarrassment. But instead I found myself blurting, "So how have you been? Aside from the... thousands of texts you've been bombarding me with."

"Thousands?" His brow arched. "I could send millions and it still wouldn't be enough."

I groaned, laughing despite myself. "You're impossible. Seriously,though-where have you been? What's kept you so... occupied?" I was careful not to bring up the ghosts of our past discussion.

His smile dimmed, replaced by something sharper. "I've been handling matters that required my undivided attention."

I tilted my head, sensing the shift. "Work stuff?"

"Not entirely." His pause was deliberate. "But you can call it important.Things that couldn't wait any longer."

"Okay..." My voice faltered. Something in the way he said it raised goosebumps on my arms. "And now? Everything's sorted?"

Roman's gaze sharpened, his words too precise. "Permanently taken out."

The fork froze halfway to my mouth. "What?"

He blinked once, smoothly correcting himself. "Permanently taken care of. Never to trouble me again."

My stomach twisted. His tone was casual, but there was weight behind it, like a blade hidden in velvet. I forced a nod, trying to swallow the unease clawing at my throat.

To dlistract myself, I asked the question gnawing at me. "Did you...ever think of me? While you were gone?"

His lips curved, sly and wicked. "All the time, my love." His voice dropped low, intimate, and dangerous. "Want me to show you how much?"

Heat erupted beneath my skin, settling achingly between my thighs.My nipples strained against my bra, and Roman's eyes darkened instantly,like he could see straight through my clothes.

"Roman-" I choked, reaching desperately for my glass of water."You can't just say things like that. We're in public!"

"Why not?" He leaned back, scanning the room with cool disinterest."We could clear this place out if we wanted. Every last one of them."

"Roman!" My foot shot out, kicking him under the table. "Keep your voice down,you lunatic!"

He laughed,unbothered,lounging back with a smug tilt to his mouth."You're so shy."

"I am not! You're just... really shameless." I darted a glance around,praying no one had overheard. "And friends don't say things like that,stupid."

His laughter deepened, low and rough, until it curved into something else. "Game over then." He tossed his napkin onto the table with finality."Let's go."

"Go?" I sputtered. "I haven't even finished eating."

"You're lying." His eyes pinned me. "You've been pushing food around your plate since we sat down."

My mouth fell open. He'd read me like a damn book. "Fine. But if we're leaving, we're getting ice cream first."

Roman's smirk softened, just barely. "Anything you want, my lady."

The ice cream parlour was alive with noise and color, children shrieking in delight, families squeezed into booths, sticky fingers everywhere. The giant TV above the counter blasted cheerful pop music,its energy bouncing through the space.

It was the kind of place that shouldn't suit Roman, but somehow he looked right at home-dark suit against neon signs. Almost like control against chaos.

"What flavor?" he asked.

"Vanilla," I answered without hesitation."You?"

"Whatever you're having."

I smiled despite myself, gaze drifting toward a booth in the corner.A little girl sat there, blonde hair falling around her face, lost in a book while the world roared around her. She looked about the age my child would have been. My throat closed, grief seeping in like smoke.

I didn't realize how long I'd been staring until something small and cold collided with my shin.

"Sorry, miss! Oh no! I'm so sorry!"

I looked down. A little boy in a superman tee,with brown curls bouncing, scrambled at my feet, ice cream dripping onto my stilettos.His

tiny hands clutched napkins, desperate to clean the mess.

"Hey-hey, it's okay." I crouched down, smiling softly. "Are you hurt?"

He looked up, wide blue eyes shining through tears. "I'm fine,miss.

But my ice cream isn't."

My heart clenched. "What's your name?"

"Jamie."

I dug into my purse, pulling out a bill. "Here. Get yourself another one,Jamie."

His eyes went round, a grin breaking through his tears. "Thank you,miss!" He darted off, only to skid to a halt and rush back. Before I could react, he pressed a quick kiss to my cheek.

I froze. My hand rose instinctively to the spot,heat prickling beneath my skin.

"Goodbye!" Jamie waved before bolting to the booth where the blonde girl sat. He whispered to their mother, pointing at me. The woman's eyes met mine across the room, warm with gratitude.

Roman's hand slid to the small of my back, startling me. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah." My voice came out softer than I intended. "Just... a kid."

He frowned,eyes flicking toward the family. Something unreadable passed through them before he held up the bag in his other hand. "I got two tubs. Let's go."

We turned toward the exit.

That was when the pop music cut out.

The room stilled, every conversation dying as the screen above flickered to a news broadcast.

"Breaking news. Professor Asher Kingston of New Hope College has been found dead in his home. Authorities initially suspected a burglary,but discovered that nothing was stolen at the scene of the crime. The brutality of the attack has led investigators to label this a crime of passion.Tributes are pouring in from colleagues and former students. Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant..."

The words blurred into static. My ears roared, my body locked in place. My eyes were pinned to the photo at the top right corner of the screen.

Professor Kingston. Asher Kingston.

No.No,it couldn't-

I turned, slowly, toward the man beside me. Roman's face was carved from ice, indifferent, untouched. Not a flicker of surprise. But his grip on me tightened ever so slightly.

The room spun. My lips moved before I could stop them, trembling out four words that changed everything.

"What have you done?"