"Roman, I think-"

"Savannah, please give me a moment. I need to have a discussion with my brother."

The words were curt, clipped in a way that warned me not to argue.Roman's hand closed tight around Reese's arm, dragging him along as if Reese weighed nothing. His jaw was like a sharpened blade, and before I could blink they were already halfway across the ballroom.

I stood frozen in place, nodding like an idiot even though he never turned to look back.

Reese-cheeky,reckless Reese-was the only one who spared me a glance. He winked, as though this whole dramatic exit was just some kind of game. "Remember the name's Reese!" he called loudly enough for everyone nearby to hear. "In case you meet the other Blackwoods!"

Then they disappeared through the double doors, Roman's broad shoulders cutting through the crowd.

The other Blackwoods? So there were others? Strange. Just how many of them are there?

The music swelled, violins battling with chatter, and yet I couldn't stop staring at the empty doorway. A hollow ache lingered in my chest.Part of me wished Roman had told me more about Reese, about his family,about the pieces of his life he keeps guarded like state secrets. But I knew better than to press. Roman was complicated, and when he'was ready, he'd tell me. At least, that's what I told myself. It's what I believed.

He's my friend, I reminded my restless thoughts. He'll open up when the time is right.

"Okay, you're gonna have to tell me who the hell that was because it suddenly feels like summer!"

Lizzie dropped into the chair beside me, practically vibrating with excitement. Her voice had asqueaky edge, half whisper, half squeal, like she couldn't contain herself. And honestly, I couldn't blame her.

I laughed under my breath. "Strange thing, he said you were hot.Also complimented your ass."

Lizzie's jaw dropped, her eyes bulging wide as saucers before she clappedboth hands over her mouth. A squeal still escaped between her fingers, shrill enough to make a few heads turn.

"Oh my gosh, he's so sexy, Sav!" she gasped,grabbing my wrist with both hands. "You have to link me up with him. I don't care if it's a blind date or a one-night stand, just-"

I laughed harder, shaking my head. "He's Roman's brother, not mine.You'll have to go through Roman if you want an introduction."

She pouted dramatically, about to argue, but Chloe's voice sliced through the music before she had the chance.

"Sav! There's someone you should totally meet."

That grating,high-pitched tone could cut glass. She was practically screeching over the orchestra, clearly determined to outshine the violins.Lizzie muttered something about getting a drink and scurried off, wisely dodging whatever storm Chloe wasdragging toward me.

I didn't even bother turning. I sat still, bracing for whatever it was.And when I saw who Chloe was parading in front of me, tugging her along likea prize on display.

My stomach plummeted. And my lungs forgot how to work.

Monica Kingston.

"Do you remember her, Sav? It's been a long time," Chloe trilled,her grin wide and malicious. "But not too long for you to forget Monica so quickly. Don't you think so?"

The screeching orchestra, the clinking glasses, the laughter of strangers,all of it faded into a thick, suffocating silence. My tongue dried against the roof of my own mouth. My pulse hammered in my ears.

All I could see was her. Monica. The woman who shattered everything.The woman who stood like a shadow over my past.

She still looked the same. Just a little curvier than before. And she still wore that smoky eye makeup that made me fear her more than I should.

"Don't be rude, Sav. Say hello to your... ex-professor's wife," Chloe sang,stretching out the word wife with venomous delight.

I forced myself to stand. My knees trembled, but I locked my shoulders, lifting'my chin. "Hello, Monica." I extended my hand, the motion stiff, and very mechanical. Preparing for whatever she was about to unleash this time around.

What's the worst she could do? Slap me? Humiliate me? She's already done those before. Nothing new. Spit on me? Well, she was yet to do that.Maybe she'll try that today.

Monica's eyes roamed over my face, searching for something. My hand hovered awkwardly in the air. Chloe leaned forward eagerly, her smug smile promising disaster. It was as if she couldn't wait to see me attacked.

But the disaster never came. Neither did the attack.

Instead, Monica.reached forward. Not for my hand, but for me.And she pulled me into a hug.

I froze on the spot. My body turned to ice.

Chloe froze too, her smirk collapsing into a look of utter disbelief.

"I'm so sorry," Monica whispered against my ear, her voice low,intimate. Her hand rubbed soothing circles across my back.

What?

My body stiffened like she'd stabbed me. My brain struggled to process. Monica Kingston was apologizing. Apologizing. To me.

I was the first to pull away from the hug, not feeling very comfortable.What if she drives a dagger into my back all of a sudden?

Chloe's throat cleared, sharp with irritation. "Mrs. Kingston, this is my sister, Savannah. You do remember her, don't you?" She dragged my name out, desperate to reignite the spark she craved.

"It's Mrs. McGraw now," Monica corrected gently, her gaze still locked on me. "Asher and I are divorced. I remarried."

The words hit me likea slap.

"What? When?" Chloe and I said at the exact same time.

"I had no idea," Chloe pressed, feigning shock but grinning beneath it."I thought you were both going strong. What happened? Was it because of Sav?"

Monica laughed softly, shaking her head. "Let's justsay my eyes became clearer. Your sister had nothing to do with it. If anything, she helped me open them. I owe her an apology. What I did was unforgivable."

The ground beneath me tilted. My brain scrambled for logic, but none of this fit. Monica had despised mne. She'd weaponized her power, her status, her husband, everything. And now she was here, gentle and repentant?

Was I hallucinating? Am I in the right universe?

"Why are you apologizing to her?" Chloe snapped. "Have you forgotten she-"

"Can we meet in private sometime, Savannah?" Monica cut in,

ignoring her. "I'd love to discuss some things with you. Over tea, perhaps."

Her eyes, unwavering, made me shiver.

I swallowed hard. "Of course, Mrs. McGraw."

Her smile warmed, bright and disarming. She slipped a sleek black card into my palm, her fingers brushing mine. "That's my number.Call me whenever you're free."

I nodded shakily.

With one last smile, she drifted away, disappearing into the crowd.Chloe stood rooted beside me, slack-jawed, humiliated.

I let out a sharp laugh, feeling the tension slowly dissipate. "I take it that didn't go how you expected?"

Chloe blinked, her face tightening. She recovered quickly, lifting her chin. "Don't get too cocky and comfortable, Sav. Real wives like us always know that poisoned tea gets the job done quicker than you can say jack."

Her words slithered down my spine. Then'she spun on her heel,gliding back into the throng of guests, her false laughter already bubbling as she mingled.

I tracked her groom across the room. His glass of whiskey was empty again, and he looked like he wanted to smash it against the floor. His eyes met mine, burning, furious.

A chill skated down my spine at the way he traced every curve on my body with his eyes. I turned away.

Where was Roman? He'd been gone for too long.

The ballroom suddenly felt suffocating. I needed him. I needed to see his face,ground myself in something solid. Pulling out mny phone,I slipped toward a side hallway just in front of the restroom, quieter,dimmer, and away from the music.

I dialed his number.

The second ring was cut off by the sound of approaching footsteps.

I turned,hope sparking-

But it wasn't Roman.

Dean.

I rolled my eyes and walked into the bathroom immediately, hoping to get away from him. But the idiot had other plans.

He stepped in behind me, leaning casually against the wall as if he'd been waiting for me all along. His tie hung loose, his shirt rumpled. The stench of alcohol wrapped around him like a second suit.

My stomach dropped. "Get out, Dean. I'm hot in the mood for your nonsense right now."

"Who are you calling?" His smile was a jagged slash across his face."Roman?"

I ignored him, bringing the phone back to my ear.

He pushed off the wall, his steps slow, deliberate. "Are you going to ignore me forever? That's cruel, Sav. I might cry if you do that."

His laugh burst too loud, echoing through the restroom. It reeked of whiskey,and sounded bitter and sour.

"Stop drinking," I snapped, wrinkling my nose. "Go back to your wife.You're humiliating yourself."

Another fit of laughter. His head fell back, the sound manic.

"What's so funny?" I hissed, anger flaring.

Roman still wasn't answering his call.

Dean's grin sharpened. "She's not my wife."

"You're insane. Get lost." My thumb jabbed redial.

But before I could hear a single ring, the phone was snatched from

my hand. Dean cut the call, sliding the device behind his back with a smirk.

"What the fuck, Dean! Give me back my phone!" I lunged, reaching for it, but he lifted it above his head,his free hand pressing a finger to his lips.

"Shhh. Don't want anyone hearing our littlediscussion."

My hand reached high, but his arm liftedhigher.My heels slipped on the polished floor as I tried to grab it, and his free hand shot out and wrapped around my waist.

My heart thudded. The bathroom felt too narrow, too empty. And I realized he was suddenly too close.

"What is wrong with you?"

His eyes burned, bloodshot but lucid in their hunger. He leaned down,his breath hot with whiskey. "I made a mistake, Savannah. I realized I still want you. Will you take me back?"

The words curdled in the air between us.

And I realized something. Roman still wasn't answering.

And I was alone with Dean.