Savannah

"What are you talking about?" I asked, my voice trembling. My heart was pounding like a warning bell against my ribs.

Dean didn't flinch. He sat there with the bag of peas against his face, looking every bit the victim."Savannah was at the club with me, Chloe, and her fiancé. After the performance, Chloe had to leave.Some drunk guy wouldn't leave Sav alone. I stepped in. The guy was aggressive, and things got physical. I handled it, but I hate to think what would’ve happened if I hadn't been there. She needs to be more careful about the situations she puts herself in."

The words hit me like a physical blow. The floor seemed to spin beneath my feet as the previous night rushed back—blurry and vivid all at once. The club. Chloe’s setup. Dean’s slurred, degrading offer. His hands on me. And Roman’s arrival.

My fists clenched, a familiar, pulsing anger throbbing in my head.

Chloe broke the silence first. "Well? Aren't you going to thank my fiancé for saving you?" she snapped,her voice high and cutting. "Look what you’ve caused, Sav. Dragging in the wrong kind of attention.Now Dean’s going to walk into our rehearsal dinner looking like he was in a bar fight. The wedding is in four days, and you’re already trying to ruin it."

She turned to him with a sigh, fussing over his face as if he were a wounded hero. Dean, meanwhile,was casually checking his phone, barely acknowledging her.

"Don't talk to her like that," Alyssa cut in sharply. "This isn't Savannah’s fault. Dean chose to step in."

"Mind your own business," Chloe rolled her eyes.

Through it all, Dean stared at me. He was lying—boldly, cleanly—and he expected me to stay quiet. Not a chance.

"So where was my fiancé while you were playing the hero?" I asked, folding my arms tightly across my chest.

Dean scoffed. "How would I know? I’m not his babysitter." But I saw the flicker in his eyes, the way they dropped to my neck—where Roman’s marks were still faintly visible—and how his face darkened with resentment.

"You're unbelievable," Chloe muttered. "After everything Dean did for you."

I shrugged, my voice cold. "Maybe he shouldn't tell lies about me if he doesn't want the truth told about him."

"Savannah," Dad’s voice was steely. "If you have something to say, say it now."

I turned my attention to Dean. "Why don't you tell them how you really got those bruises? Ask him who gave him that black eye."

Mom’s brows drew together. "Dean? Is there something else?"

Dean let out a forced laugh. "She’s talking nonsense. Maybe she’s in shock. She was shoved pretty hard during the scuffle."

"Nonsense?" I stepped forward, shaking with rage. "Why don't you tell everyone here that you tried to buy my attention last night? That you offered me a 'secret' deal because you thought you could still own me?"

A collective gasp echoed through the room. Mom covered Emily’s ears immediately.

"Dean!" Chloe shrieked. "What is she talking about?!"

"I have no idea, baby. Don't listen to her—"

"Liar!" I snapped. "Those bruises? They aren't from some drunk. Roman gave them to him—after he walked in on Dean trying to force himself on me in that back room."

The room went dead silent. Chloe looked like she’d been slapped. For the first time, I didn't feel small; I felt like fire.

"You told me to forget who I was," I continued, my voice unwavering. "You thought you could buy my dignity. You said it would be our little secret."

Dean froze, but then he had the audacity to laugh. "You've truly lost it, Sav. Why don't you tell everyone how you were the one following me around? How you were so desperate for my attention that you made sure I couldn't look away?"

"Dean, you lying—" I charged at him, but Chloe stepped in front of him, shoving me backward with a force that nearly sent me sprawling.

I braced for the impact, but it never came. Strong, steely arms caught me with ease.

Roman.

"Are you okay, Sav?" he asked, his voice low. I nodded, leaning into his strength.

His eyes snapped to Chloe. "Are you out of your mind? Why the hell would you shove her?"

Chloe stood her ground. "She tried to hit Dean first. I was defending my fiancé."

"If that’s the logic," Roman’s eyes narrowed, "then I should be defending my fiancée the same way."

Dad cut in, placing a hand on Roman’s chest. "Please, it’s a misunderstanding. Everyone is just emotional."

"It’s not a misunderstanding," I insisted. "Dean is lying. Roman, you were there. Tell them. Tell them what happened in that room. Tell them why you hit him."

All eyes turned to Roman. He stood there, rigid as stone, his jaw clenched so tight it looked like it might snap.

"Roman..." I whispered, nudging him.

He blinked, met my eyes for a fleeting, painful second, and then turned to the room. I held my breath,waiting for the truth to shatter Dean’s lies. Roman had seen it all—the harassment, the disrespect. He had made Dean bleed for it.

But when he spoke, the words weren't what I expected.

"Sav and I had an eventful night," Roman said, his voice flat and professional. "It was a long evening for everyone. Please excuse us; we’re going to rest."

My heart stopped.

I blinked, certain I’d misheard him. But the betrayal in his silence was louder than any scream. The man who had held me, protected me, and claimed me just hours ago was now... protecting the lie.

When I looked up, Dean was smirking. And I felt the world I’d started to trust crumble into pieces.