Chapter 159 Reese Knew Savannah I gripped the paper bag containing the pregnancy test strips tighter against my chest as if it were some forbidden object I wasn’t supposed to be seen with. The air outside felt heavier than usual, or maybe it was just me—weighted with nerves, with the possibility that something inside this tiny bag could change everything. I still couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that there was even a chance I could be pregnant. Not entirely, anyway. Maybe my period had just been delayed because of stress. That was reasonable enough. I’d been drowning in stress lately—emotionally, mentally—so maybe this was just my body’s way of waving a white flag. Yes. It had to be that. Clinging to that fragile thread of hope, I opened the driver’s door, still clutching the paper bag like it was my last secret on earth. Lizzie was already inside the car, grumbling as she scrolled through her phone. She’d been in a mood since earlier, ever since we stopped by the house to pick up her things. Apparently, her mother wasn’t thrilled about the idea of her staying over at my place. And finding out that Aunt Carol was in town? That had been a shocker. I didn’t even know she was visiting. Probably came to see my mom—her sister. But at least her presence meant Emily had someone else besides Aunt Janice watching her while Alyssa stayed to take care of Mom. For that, I was grateful. “I don’t know why she still treats me like a child,” Lizzie muttered, tossing her phone into her bag. “I’m an adult, Sav. A grown woman. Why does she keep putting me on a leash?” I smiled faintly, dropping the paper bag beside me on the console. “She’s just being a mom. Don’t be too hard on her. I guess all moms are supposed to be that way. It’s kind of their thing. Trust me, one day you’ll understand.” She rolled her eyes dramatically. “Oh please. Well, I know what kind of mom I’m going to be, and it’s definitely not one that controls her twenty-two-year-old daughter like she’s sixteen. Twenty-two, Sav! Yet she still treats me like I’m going to run off and join a biker gang if she blinks too long.” I laughed at her exaggeration. “Lizzie, she’s just being a mom.” “Oh, please,” she scoffed. “If I ever have kids, I’m going to let them live. Not cage them up like my mom does me.” “Mm-hmm.” I glanced over at her, my lips twitching. “Remind me of that when you have a teenager sneaking out your window.” She rolled her eyes and grinned. “I’ll still be cooler than her.” “Good luck with that.” I chuckled softly, starting the car. “She’s just being concerned. Don’t worry, I’ll talk to her. I’ll tell her I need you around for emotional support, so she knows I’ll keep an eye on you.” Lizzie smirked. “You know what my mom always says about you?” “Oh boy,” I said, laughing. “Do I want to know?” “She used to tell me not to grow up and be like Savannah, the wild girl.” She laughed. “Whenever I did something wild, she’d go, ‘Don’t grow up to be like Savannah.’ The family rebel.” I burst out laughing, shaking my head. “Wow. I’m glad to know I made the family’s cautionary tale list.” “She means well,” Lizzie giggled. “She thinks Roman’s like this beacon of decency, so basically, you marrying him is like a miracle in her eyes.” “Roman?” I scoffed, unable to stop the bitter laugh that escaped me. “Right. The perfect golden boy.” “Just tell her Roman said I could visit. She’ll melt.”“Will do,” I said, still amused. “Might even forge his signature on a permission slip while I’m at it.” We laughed the rest of the ride, the kind of laughter that made things feel a little lighter. With Lizzie, it was impossible to stay tense for long. She had this way of turning everything into a joke, into something brighter than it should be. By the time we pulled into the driveway, my nerves were back to gnawing at me. I spotted Reese’s car parked in the garage. “Great,” I muttered under my breath. “He’s home.” Lizzie perked up instantly, eyes sparkling. “Reese?!” “Yep,” I said, shutting off the engine. Her grin spread like wildfire. “Oh my God, this is perfect.” I groaned. “Lizzie, don’t start.” “Start what? I just want to make sure I look presentable.” “Lizzie—” But she was already pulling her hair down, undoing her scrunchie and running her fingers through her curls. “How does it look?”I sighed. “Just fluff it a little more. You’ll be fine.” She checked herself in the mirror and smiled proudly. “God, I look hot.” “Smoking hot,” I deadpanned. “Now can we go inside before you start contouring your cheekbones with my steering wheel?” She laughed and hopped out of the car. I followed, still clutching that damned paper bag, trying not to think about what it represented. Inside, Lizzie kept fussing with her hair and her overall appearance as we walked through the living room. “Will you cut that out? You look great,” I said, exasperated. “If he doesn’t see that, he’s blind and not worth your time.” She smirked. “Thanks, Sav.” I opened my mouth to reply but froze. Because there he was. Reese. Standing by the TV, shirtless, sweaty, and glistening like he’d just walked off the cover of a sports magazine. His hair was pulled into a messy bun, earphones pulled into his ears, abs on full display as he flipped through channels and gulped water straight from the bottle. Lizzie actually gasped. “Holy shit, I think I just dropped my panties.” I shot her a look. “Lizzie, behave.” But Reese’s reflexes were uncanny. Somehow, even with earphones in, he turned sharply in our direction the moment we stepped into the room. His eyes caught mine, that signature smirk curving his lips. He pulled out one earbud, letting it dangle around his neck. “Hello, Sister-in-law.” His voice had that lazy, teasing drawl that always managed to get under my skin. I cleared my throat. “Hello,” I said, doing my best to sound polite—civilized, even. Mostly for Lizzie’s sake. His gaze shifted from me to her, taking his time as it traveled slowly, deliberately, from her head to her toes. He didn’t even hide the way he looked her over, before that smirk deepened. “Hello.” Lizzie practically beamed. “Hi! I’m Lizzie.” Reese’s brow lifted. “I know you.” Her face lit up like fireworks. “You do?” He nodded, grin spreading. “Yes, Elizabeth.” She blinked. “It’s Lizzie. Everyone calls me Lizzie.”“I’m not everyone,” he said easily. “And it’s actually Elizabeth, isn’t it?” Her voice softened. “Yes.” “Good then, Elizabeth.” He said her name like he was trying to seduce her on the spot. And she was gone. Completely gone. I rolled my eyes. “Okay, Lizzie. I’ll just… be in the kitchen.” I made a quick exit before I had to witness more of that trainwreck. In the kitchen, I set the paper bag down on the counter with a sigh of relief. Finally, I now have some space to breathe, clearly not interested in watching my cousin make fuck-me eyes at my fiancé's brother. I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, trying to calm my nerves. But apparently, peace wasn’t on the menu. Because when I turned around—he was there. Reese stood by the island, towel now draped around his neck, water bottle still in hand. And in his other hand— My heart dropped. The paper bag. He was holding it open, eyes fixed on the box inside. “Reese,” I said, my voice low, already knowing I was too late. He looked up at me, and that smirk—the one that always looked like trouble—spread across his face. “Well. Well. Well. Looks like someone’s been working extra hard at making me an uncle.” The blood drained from my face. “Put it down. Right now.” He didn’t move. “Relax, I’m just saying congratulations in advance.” “It’s not—” My voice cracked. “It’s not what you think.” “Oh?” he asked, circling the island slowly, the box still in his hand. “Then what is it, Savannah?” My throat tightened. “It’s nothing. Just—just stress. I’ve been stressed, okay?” “Stress,” he repeated, amused. “That's what they’re calling it now?” I clenched my fists, my heart pounding so hard I could feel it in my fingertips. “Reese, please. That’s private.” He leaned against the counter, unbothered, eyes gleaming with wicked amusement. “Private, huh? Then why leave it out in the open?” I glared at him. “You’re unbelievable.”He smirked. “You say that like it’s news.” For a heartbeat, neither of us moved. The silence was heavy, filled with everything I didn’t want to say and everything he already knew. Then, with infuriating calm, he placed the bag back on the island and took a sip of water. “You know,” he said casually, “Roman’s been pretty preoccupied lately. Bet he’d love some good news.” My stomach twisted. “Don’t.” He raised a brow, pretending innocence. “Don’t what?” “Don’t tell him,” I snapped. “Please.” A slow, knowing smile curved his lips. “Ah. So it is what I think.” “Reese—” He pushed off the counter and walked toward me, close enough that I could smell the faint mix of sweat and cologne clinging to him. His voice dropped to a near whisper. “Relax. Your secret’s safe with me… for now.” And then he was gone, strolling out of the kitchen like he hadn’t just pulled the rug out from under me.I stood frozen, my pulse roaring in my ears. He knew. Reese knew. And knowing Reese—he was going to enjoy every bit of the leverage it gave him. My breath came unevenly, my fingers tightening around the counter edge. He was going to tell Roman. I could see it in that damn smirk—the satisfaction of having something to hold over me. I pressed a trembling hand to my chest, trying to steady myself, but the panic only grew louder. He was going to tell him. And once he did… everything would fall apart… Roman would be furious.