He shoved me into the passenger seat like I weighed nothing,snapping the buckle over my chest before slamming the door shut. The glare he sent me through the glass could have melted steel. But not me.I whipped around, indignant, my arms crossing tight against my chest as he slid into the driver's side and started the engine.

"You're unbelievable, Roman!" I snapped, heat rushing to my cheeks."Why the hell would you do that? You can't just manhandle me like-"

"You were about to ditch me and ride with Reese." His tone cut through mine like a blade, sharp and fast. His knuckles whitened around the wheel. "That's why. How could you?"

I scoffed, my head jerking toward him. "Well, excuse me for not wanting to ride with you. Is it such a crime to be with your brother?"

"Yes." The word landed like a gunshot, no hesitation, no humor. His jaw locked. "It's a crime, Savannah. Don't ever do that again."

My mouth fell open. "Do what, exactly? Try to be comfortable?"

"Don't you ever storm off in anger." His voice dropped lower, deeper,vibrating with authority. "I don't care what it is. You'll stand there, and we'Il talk it through. You can hit me, scream at me, break me down piece by piece if that's what it takes. I'll kneel and grovel if I have to. But don't you dare let an issue fester. Is that clear?"

The tone was military. Stern. Law. My pulse tripped atthe sheer command in it.

I yanked my gaze toward the window, arms folded tighter. "I haven't

forgiven you, Roman," I muttered, the words brittle. "Don't get ahead of yourself."

He didn't answer right away. The only sound was the steady purr of the car and the rhythmic flick of the passing road. When I turned for one last glimpse of the house, it was already gone. Vanished. Somehow,we'd driven farther than I realized. My throat squeezed at the sudden sense of distance and fear.

"You haven't forgiven me," he said finally, his voice calm,and oddly steady. "For something that happened a long time ago?" He shook his head, almost to himself. "Every day, I learn something new about you.Savannah."

I rolled my eyes halfway, ready to spit back something sharp.something that would sting. But then-like a lightning bolt splitting through my anger-a memory struck.

Roman had never judged me. Not once.

Not when he saw that cursed tape of me and Dean.

Not when he discovered the mess with Kingston.

Not once did disgust cross his face. Not once did he yell or attack me the way I just did.

Instead, he'd handled me like I was made of glass. Gentle. Careful. As though I was still worth something when I felt like nothing.

The realization punched me straight in the chest. My skin prickled hot despite the chilled interior. My stomach twisted. Shame climbed up my throat until I could barely swallow.

God, I felt horrible. Shitty. A crawling, gut-deepguilt that made me want to sink into the floor. He was the one who should've walked away from me a long time ago, and instead he stayed. He carried my chaos with grace. And what did I give him in return? Spite. Jealousy. Judgment I had no right to.

I probably disappointed him. What would he think of me now? I showed obvious disgust and anger towards the revelation when Ieven had no right to. What was I thinking getting that jealous over what happened?Because who the hell was I to even claim him?

I wasn't his girlfriend. Neither was I his wife. I didn't have any right to him.

I was only his best friend who he fucks when he feels like. And for me? I was not only his best friend who loves how hard he fucks me and how good he always makes it feel. I also love...

Don't speak further, Savannah. You'll ruin what's left of your friendship.

God,this was so damn messed up.

"You know," his voice cut through my spiral, low and threaded with quiet amusement, "I'm getting a little concerned. Your thoughts are so loud I can practically hear them from here." He flicked his gaze toward me before refocusing on the road, the tendons in his hand flexing against the wheel.

I twisted my fingers in my lap, nerves sparking under my skin. How the hell did I even begin this conversation? My throat worked, dry,hesitant, before I finally forced it out.

"Roman... did I... did I disappoint you?"

The second the words left, I cringed. What kind of stupid, pathetic question was that?

A frown tugged his brows. "Disappoint me?" His voice softened,incredulous. "What do you mean, my love? You could never disappoint me." He spoke like he was soothing a child after a nightmare.

My chest tightened. I stared at my hands, forcing a shaky breath."I shouldn't have reacted that way back there. I've done far worse things.You know I have. And you never judged me for any of them.You didn't lash out. You didn't... you didn't look at me like I was filthy." My voice cracked,breaking. "But I judged you tonight. And I had no right."

His head turned, eyes wide, stunned by my confession. "No,my love.Don't ever apologize for your reaction." His voice was steady,almost reverent. "Those were your true feelings. And I wouldn't have it any other way. I don't want your silence. I don't want you to swallow your emotions just to spare me. I want all of you. Your honesty, even when it hurts."

The sincerity in his tone unraveled me. My lips parted, breath stalling in my chest. God, how was he like this? Calm. Graceful. Always steady where I was fire and chaos.

"I guess that makes me a really shitty person, then," I whispered.slumping against the window, my breath fogging the glass.

He chuckled lightly, almost as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "You're not a shitty person, Savannah. You're too pure to be shitty.

My head snapped toward him, frowning. "I'm not pure. Roman, I lost

that a long time ago." My voice dropped, bitter. "I can't even remember when I was last pure."

Şixteen. Nineteen. Somewhere in between.

But the truth? I knew exactly when. I just didn't want to remember.Didn't want to dig up the bones I'd buried under years of denial.

"Your purity has nothing to do with your virginity," he said firmly,his conviction heavy. "It's who you are, Savannah. There's a goodness in you most people can't even fathom. You carry a certain light. That's what makes you pure."

I didn't have the strength to argue. Not with him. Not when he believed it so fiercely. My throat burned as I whispered, "I'm sorry, Roman.

"

"I forgive you," he answered without hesitation. The words slipped out like air, casual, effortless. Like he didn't even need to think too much about it.

My head jerked toward him, baffled. "Just like that?"

His lips curved into that panty-wetting smile. The kind that could ruin me in one second flat. "I wasn't even mad at you. And I don't hold anything against you, Savannah."

My chest ached. God, what did I do to deserve this man? Did I save my country in my past life?

"Between the two of us," I murmured, voice low, fragile, "you're the one I'd call pure. You have the purest heart, Roman."

He shook his head, eyes dark and certain. "I don't. I'm only this way

because I love you."

And the breath in my lungs vanished.