From Best Friend To Fiancé (Savannah and Roman) novel Chapter 49

**TITLE: Dreams Folding Into Broken Time**
**Chapter 33: Money For Sex**

“What are you saying?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper as I scanned the room, anxiety twisting my stomach into knots. My heart raced, pounding fiercely against my ribcage like a frantic alarm, warning me of the storm brewing within.

Dean stood there, unwavering, his expression a mask of calm that only fueled my unease. “Savannah was at the club with me, Chloe, and her fiancé. After Chloe’s performance, she left. A drunken guy wouldn’t stop bothering Sav. I had to step in. Turns out the jerk was armed. He came at me, but I dealt with it. I shudder to think what might have happened if I hadn’t been there. She really needs to make smarter choices next time.”

His words struck me like a physical blow, knocking the breath from my lungs. I staggered back, the world around me tilting as memories cascaded through my mind, both blurred and sharp.

The gentleman’s club—its dim lighting, the heavy scent of smoke and cheap perfume. Dean’s slurred speech, the way Chloe had set me up with such cruel precision. The glint of money in his eyes when he had offered it to me. His hands, invasive and unwelcome. Roman’s sudden appearance, a savior amidst chaos.

The recollection hit me like a bolt of lightning, igniting a deep-seated anger that throbbed in my temples. My fists clenched at my sides, the familiar heat of rage flooding my veins.

Chloe was the first to shatter the tense silence. “Well? Aren’t you going to thank my fiancé for saving your ass?” Her voice was sharp, slicing through the air with a high-pitched edge. “Look at the mess you’ve made, Sav. Dressing and dancing like a stripper, attracting the wrong kind of men. Now Dean’s going to show up to our rehearsal dinner looking like he just survived a bar fight, all because of you. Our wedding is in just four days, and you’ve already managed to ruin it.”

She turned to Dean, sighing dramatically, fussing over his face as if he were a wounded puppy in need of care.

He, however, was engrossed in his phone, completely ignoring her fussing, his attention elsewhere.

“Don’t talk to her like that,” Alyssa interjected, her tone firm and unwavering. “This isn’t Savannah’s fault. Dean made the choice to defend her. She didn’t ask for him to get hurt.”

Chloe rolled her eyes, the gesture dripping with disdain. “Mind your own damn business. I wasn’t addressing you.”

“Chloe,” Mom cautioned, her voice low and laced with disappointment. “Don’t use that language with your older sister. That’s not how I raised you.”

Throughout this exchange, Dean’s gaze remained locked on me, and I met his stare with equal intensity.

He was lying. Boldly, brazenly. And he expected me to remain silent? Not a chance in hell.

Clearing my throat, I made sure my voice was loud enough to command attention. My father turned his head toward me, his expression shifting to one of concern.

“So where was my fiancé while you were out there playing the hero?” I asked, crossing my arms tightly over my chest, a barrier against the chaos swirling around us.

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