From Best Friend To Fiancé (Savannah and Roman) novel Chapter 263

**TITLE: Dreams Folding Into Broken Time**
**Chapter 263**

Savannah reclined slowly, her body shifting until she lay on her side. Her voice, once vibrant, now emerged as a mere whisper, frayed and delicate. “I meant what I said. I’m going to Italy.”

I frowned, positioning myself beside her, the weight of her words settling heavily in the air. “Sav, you shouldn’t even be concerned about Chloe. Why would you risk everything for a trip like that, especially for her?”

She hesitated, her gaze drifting away momentarily, as if searching for the right words. Then, with a softening expression, she turned back to me. “Because she’s still my sister, Roman. And mostly because my mom mentioned her just the other day when I was showing her my ring.” Her voice quivered, breaking slightly as she continued. “It… it made me resent Chloe a little more at first. It’s like no matter what I achieve, I’ll always be in second place. There’s always a larger space for Chloe in everyone’s heart.”

Her words struck me harder than I anticipated, like a sudden gust of wind that leaves you breathless. I watched as she averted her gaze, blinking rapidly to stave off the tears that threatened to spill. “But then I realized how selfish that sounded. Mom’s been through enough with the cancer. No mother should have to face death without knowing where her child is. So I have to go. Even if it kills me.”

I rolled toward her, inching closer until our foreheads nearly brushed. “You’re not going anywhere alone,” I murmured softly, my resolve firm. “If you’re going to Italy, then I’m going too.”

Her breath caught in her throat, and a single tear traced a path down her cheek. “Roman, you don’t have to—”

“I do.” I gently wiped the tear away with my thumb, the warmth of her skin igniting a fierce protectiveness within me. “Because if this man is responsible for what happened to Chloe, I want to be there when he pays for it. And if she’s alive…” I let out a heavy sigh, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on me. “If she’s alive, then you’ll need someone there to keep you from losing yourself.”

She looked up at me then, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, her mouth trembling as if struggling to find the right words. “You’d really do that for me?”

“I’d do anything for you,” I replied, my voice low and earnest. “You should know that already.”

Her lip quivered, and this time the tears fell freely, a silent cascade that spoke volumes. She pressed her palm against my chest, burying her face there, shaking silently as I held her close.

I wrapped my arms around her, drawing her in until I could feel the rhythm of her heartbeat syncing with mine. “Don’t cry,” I murmured into her hair, inhaling the familiar scent of her. “There might be room for Chloe in everyone else’s heart, but not in mine. Never in mine.”

She sniffled, glancing up at me through her damp lashes, vulnerability etched across her features.

“My heart belongs to you, Savannah,” I whispered, brushing my thumb gently over her cheek, savoring the moment. “It always has. It always will. You’ve completely ruined me for anyone else.”

A weak laugh, half sob and half breath, escaped her lips. “You really mean that?”

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