Downstairs, the house was transformed into a celebration. Emily was radiant, the center of a whirlwind of champagne, cake, and family love. Alyssa pulled Roman into a heartfelt hug, thanking him for saving her daughter’s life.

I watched them from the sidelines, a strange weight in my chest. I eventually pulled Alyssa aside, away from the music.

"Alyssa," I began, "about Emily... you knew, didn't you?"

Alyssa’s body tensed. "Yes," she whispered, her eyes welling up. "I’ve always known."

"Why didn't you say anything? Why choose a married man?"

"I was desperate, Sav," she admitted, the tears finally spilling. "I was broke, scared, and I didn't want to be a failure in Dad's eyes. I did what I had to do to survive."

The words hit me like a gut punch. I realized then that we all had our secrets, our "impossible choices." Alyssa looked at me, her voice hoarse. "Emily is my world. I don't need a lecture on morals, especially not from you."

I nodded slowly, feeling the distance grow between us. "I'm just glad she's home."

I found Roman on the sofa, watching the scene with a quiet, observant gaze. "I've never been photogenic," I blurted out as I sat beside him.

He smirked and pulled out his phone, showing me a gallery filled with photos of me—some aware, some candid. "You're the most photogenic person in the room, Savannah. They're just fools for not seeing it."

Our moment was interrupted by Dean, who was watching us from the corner with a drink in his hand. "Hope we didn't disturb you last night," he sneered, his tone laced with a crude implication.

Roman didn't even look at him, but I wasn't about to let it slide. "Of course not, Dean. I barely noticed you were there."

Dean’s face darkened, and he crushed his can before storming off upstairs.

Chloe approached us then, glowing with her usual smug satisfaction. "So... about that double date? Tonight. Dress code: hot. It’s a secret location."

She winked and walked away. Roman and I shared a look. We both knew that tonight wouldn't just be a dinner—it would be a battlefield.