From Best Friend To Fiancé (Savannah and Roman) novel Chapter 207

**TITLE: Dreams Folding Into Broken Time**

**Chapter 207: From Best Friend To Fiancé**

**Chapter 124: We Were All Stupid People**

Tears cascaded down her cheeks as she hastily wiped them away with the back of her hand, smudging her mascara and leaving dark streaks against her skin. “God,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “Reese. He knew she was your wife. How could he—” Her words faltered, choked by emotion. “How could he do that to you? To me?”

“Because he could,” I replied, my tone devoid of emotion. “Reese has always believed he could take whatever he desired, convinced that the world would forgive him simply because he was the General’s son.”

Her lips quivered, the weight of the revelation pressing down on her. “And you—why didn’t you ever tell me?”

“Because you were in so much pain after her death,” I answered softly, my heart aching at the memory. “I didn’t want to shatter you any further. I thought if I bore this burden alone, it would somehow lessen your suffering.”

She exhaled a shaky breath, her eyes searching mine for answers. “And did it work?”

I held her gaze, unflinching. “No,” I admitted candidly. “It’s consumed me, day after day, ever since.”

For the first time, she truly looked at me—really looked. Her expression had transformed, stripped of anger and replaced with something more painful: pity. And that stung more than any accusation could.

“I never hated you, Roman. I could never bring myself to hate you,” she said gently. “Even after everything. I just wanted to understand why you withdrew from everyone when she passed. Why you distanced yourself from me.”

I turned my gaze away, feeling the heaviness of my confession. “Because back then, every time I looked at you, I saw her,” I admitted, the truth slipping out like a confession. “And I was reminded of the damage she caused to both of us.”

Her voice trembled, breaking under the weight of grief. “She was my sister. I loved her more than anyone else in this world.”

“I know,” I replied, my heart aching for her loss.

“She was meant to protect me, not…”

“I know,” I said, my voice rising slightly as I tried to comfort her.

Penny buried her face in her hands, her sobs muffled yet heart-wrenching. The sound tore through me like a knife. “I’m such an idiot.”

I longed to comfort her, to tell her that somehow, we would find a way through this pain, that Naomi would never have to know the truth, that perhaps forgiveness awaited us somewhere in the future. But I couldn’t voice any of that; not when I struggled to believe it myself.

After an agonizing silence, I finally broke the stillness. “You should go, Penny.”

She remained motionless, as if my words had not registered.

“Please,” I added, my voice softer, almost pleading. “Before I say something we both might regret. You’re my friend, and I cherish our friendship. So please…”

With a tremor in her limbs, she stood, wiping her tear-streaked face. Her blouse was damp from her tears, a testament to her turmoil. For a fleeting moment, I feared she might unleash a cruel remark, something to make me feel the same hurt she felt. Instead, she simply regarded me with a distant look.

“I don’t even know who I’m supposed to be angry at,” she murmured, her voice barely audible. “Her, him, you… myself.”

“There’s no right person to blame,” I replied quietly, my heart heavy. “We were all just foolish people making foolish decisions, loving foolish people.”

Penny let out a weak, bitter laugh that echoed with despair. “That’s certainly one way to put it.”

She reached for her purse resting on the stool beside her, fumbling with the strap as if it were a lifeline. At the door, she hesitated, turning back to me. “You really loved her, didn’t you?”

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