Chapter 143: Under His Control

Roman was still standing, one hand on the counter, his face lit by the kitchen light. He looked drained — pale beneath the bruised shadows under his eyes. I didn’t know what made me say it. Maybe the tension. Maybe the need to pull my mind away from the mess we’d just uncovered about his family. Maybe because I didn't want it to get swept away from my memory. “I need your help with something,” I said quietly. Roman’s head tilted slightly, his eyes narrowing with quiet caution. “With what?” “Dean,” I said. The name came out smaller than I intended, like it didn’t want to exist in this space — between us, in this kitchen, in this fragile moment where peace felt borrowed. Roman’s body went still. Completely still. His hand on the counter clenched, knuckles whitening. “Savannah…” “I know what you’re thinking,” I cut in quickly. “But he didn’t do it, Roman. He didn’t hurt Chloe. He didn’t take her. He didn’t do all those things. He’s being framed. I know it.” Roman turned to me slowly, disb