Roman.

I should've known she'd bring this up eventually. Honestly, I'm surprised it took her this long to ask. That tramp-her sister,blondie-has been dropping hints like poisoned breadcrumbs, and Savannah isn't the kind of woman to miss them. She's sharp. Way too sharp. I've been living on borrowed time, waiting for this question to cut me open.

And now it's here.

She's standing in front of me, her eyes locked on mine,steady and searching for the truth. Expectant as well. As though she's braced for me to lie, to cover up, to hand her a version of the truth she can swallow.

But I can't lie to her. Not to her. Anyone else but her.

Lies rot the ground under your feet until it caves in, and I've lied enough in my lifetime to know it always catches up. Better to bleed now than be gutted later.

"I've met Chloe before coming down here," I say, my voice even though my chest feels tight. "But I had no idea she was your sister."

Her breath rushes out of her like I've sucker-punched her. She grips the hood of the car as though it might hold her up if her legs can't.

"Why?" Her voice trembles, fighting itself. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"You never asked."

Her head jerks up, eyes wide, disbelief carved into her face.I half expect her to explode, scream, curse, slap me, storm off and leave me to

choke on the silence. That would've been easier than this quiet,stunned betrayal.

But she didn't do any of those.

Instead, she folds her arms and leans against the car, her body closing in on itself calmly. Too calmly. That calm cuts me deeper than her actual fury ever could. It's quite unsettling.

"I never asked," she says finally, her voice low, trembling, "because part of me didn't think too much about it. Chloe hates me, Roman. She'd spin any lie just to get back at me. But the other part..." She looks away,her throat bobbing up and down "...the other part of me was afraid.Afraid of what I'd find if I did ask."

I tilt myhead, watching her, careful. "And what were you thinking?"

She doesn't waste time. Savannah never does. "I was scared that maybe even my best friend had fallen under my sister's charms."

The words sting, sharp and bitter, but she holds my gaze, daring me to flinch. Or even remotely move a muscle.

"You were wrong."

She gives me a small smile, but it's hollow and bitter at the edges."Was I? Because if Chloe knew you,why didn't she just say it back there?She could've humiliated me. She could've torn me apart in front of everyone.Why didn't she?"

"Because she didn't want to risk exposing herself," I bite out, anger creeping into my voice. "There's so much about your sister you do not know,Savannah."

Her eyes harden, and before I can brace myself, she asks the question l've been dreading. "Roman... Did you have sex with my sister?"

The words are a knife to the gut. She looks like she'll shatter if I even pause too long. Like one wrong syllable will break her completely.

I could lie. One little word and it wwould all vanish, at least for now.But no. Not with her.

"No." My voice is solid. "I did not have sex with your sister, Savannah.

"

Her chest heaves, but there's no relief. Only doubt. "Are you lying to me now?" Her voice cracks.

"Have I ever lied to you, my love?"

The question stilIs her. She searches my face, scanning every line.every twitch, like she's dissecting me for the truth. Then slowly, she shakes her head. "No." It's barely a whisper. "But did you have any...?" Her voice trails off, breaking. She hugs herself like she's freezing, arms wrapped tight.

"Yes." The word is heavy, dragging out of me. "I didn't sleep with her,but she did get on her knees for me. Once."

The sound she makes cuts me to the bone. It's a strangled gasp, half-sob,half-wretch. She slaps a hand over her mouth, eyes wide, and her legs nearly give.

"Oh God. Oh dear God. I think I'm going to be sick." She exclaimed.

"Savannah, listen." I step forward, desperate. "This was months ago.Before you and I became..." I paused. "Before anything became ... real.Since that night you came pounding on my door, I haven't touched

another woman. Not a single one. I swear on my life."

Her eyes are glassy and unfocused now. She stares at me blankly, like she's here and gone at the same time. Slowly, she straightens her spine,holding herself together with sheer will.

"And the hot blonde winking at you? Was that Chloe on the phone?"

"Jesus Christ, no, Sav!" Frustration rips through me. "That was some random girl. Nothing happened. We just talked, and that was it."

"And I'm supposed to believe you?" Her voice sharpens, rising an octave. "That you, Roman Nicholas Blackwood, didn't touch the girl making 'fuck me' eyes at you?"

"I did not touch her, goddamnit!" My own anger explodes."Why would I lie about that? What's the point? It's stupid,Savannah!"

Her eyes blaze, fury radiating from her like heat. "Is that so? Then who else do I need to worry about? Alyssa? Lizzie? Or maybe your precious lawyer, Penny?" Her voice is venom, every name spit like poison."Tell me, Roman, who else?"

"Enough!" I roar, stepping closer, my chest heaving. My hands trembling a little. "Don't you ever mention Penny like that again. You don't know a damn thing about her."

The fury burns white-hot in me, but the second I see the guilt and fear flicker across her face, it drains away. And instant regret washes over me.

What the fuck have I done?

"I'm sorry," she whispers, shrinking back. "I shouldn't have said that.

I'm so stupid."

I drag a hand down my face, exhausted. I hate fighting with her.I doesp't feel right.

"No, it's my fault. I shouldn't have raised my voice either. That's on me. Please forgive me. It won't happen again."

She nods weakly.

"But don't ever call yourself stpid, Savannah. You're not stupid. Don't even think it. You're smart."

Silence stretches between us, thick and heavy. The air presses in,cool and unforgiving.

Finally, she speaks, voice small. "I'm partly to blame for all these."

I frown."How?"

"I should've shown you a picture of my family. A drawing. Anything.Instead, I just told you, 'They're all blonde and I'm the only brunette.' Too vague. Too careless."

"It's not your fault." I soften my tone. "Chloe and I... we met under unusual circumstances."

Her eyes flicker up, uncertain. "Can I ask how?"

I hesitate, then nod. "Of course."

I move closer, my voice low, deliberate. "Do you remember that talk we had about escorts?"

Her body goes rigid. Her shoulders lock, her hands curling into fists at