From Best Friend To Fiancé (Savannah and Roman) novel Chapter 184

**TITLE: Dreams Folding Into Broken Time**
**Chapter 184**

**Chapter 112: Five-star Quality**

As Penny stepped forward and introduced herself, a tumultuous storm brewed in my stomach—a chaotic blend of anger, suspicion, and an unsettling heat. I forced a smile, my hand reaching out to meet hers, and I said, “Savannah,” my voice calm and steady, belying the turmoil roiling within me.

Roman’s arm snaked around my waist, a possessive gesture that both anchored and comforted me. “My fiancée,” he declared, his tone deliberate and firm, igniting a warm swell of pride in my chest. Penny’s icy blue eyes darted between us, assessing, unyielding. A subtle, knowing smile curled her lips, reminiscent of a villain relishing in their triumph.

“Fiancée? Hmm.” Her voice dripped with condescension, each word carefully chosen to cut. “Are we still playing pretend for the wedding, Roman? Or have you reverted to being just friends… with benefits?” The acidic undertone of her words made my heart race, tightening my chest in a vice grip.

How could she possibly know so much about our lives while remaining a mystery to me? Just who was she in relation to Roman?

Roman’s grip around me tightened, solid and unwavering, a protective shield against her probing. “We’re not pretending, Penny. I’m in love with Savannah. We’re engaged. For real this time.” His declaration sliced through the tension like a hot knife through butter, and I felt a rush of pride mingle with a nagging insecurity.

Penny’s gaze lingered on us a moment longer before she nonchalantly redirected her attention to her bag. That familiar confidence radiated from her, causing a knot of unease to form in my stomach.

“How’s the little girl, anyway?” she asked, her eyes locked onto Roman as if I were invisible.

“Emily’s doing great,” he replied, his voice warm and genuine. “Thanks for asking.”

In that instant, everything clicked into place.

I suddenly recalled her—she was the lawyer Roman had contacted back in New Hope when my sister’s baby daddy had threatened to take Emily away from us. Ryan. His own brother. Roman had managed to contain the situation then, but Penny had been the mastermind behind the legal maneuvers, digging up dirt on Ryan with precision.

My pulse quickened at the realization. She knew him far too intimately.

“I brought food,” Penny announced with an air of casual indifference, seemingly unfazed by the palpable tension or my presence. “You never eat properly when you bury yourself in work.” Her tone was light yet sharp, as if they had engaged in this dance countless times before.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify