Chapter 223 Play Fair Roman Each step up the stairs felt like I was hauling a hundred weights chained to my spine. Randall. The name pulsed behind my eyes like a warning light that refused to shut off. If that lanky, sociopathic bastard was the one manning the cameras, then I’d bet my life he’d already wiped every second of footage that put Serena Matthews anywhere near those grounds. Randall didn’t just clean messes. He erased truths—especially the ones that inconvenienced our father. “Bloody son of a bitch,” I muttered under my breath as my fingers curled around the handle of our bedroom door. I twisted it slowly, carefully, easing it open so the hinges wouldn’t creak. Savannah needed her sleep. God knew she needed it more than anyone right now. Paula was locked in the guest room where she’d stay and I had the key for a reason. Trust was a luxury I couldn’t afford anymore, and Paula had not earned it. Not fully. Chloe would sleep right where she was. That bus should be comfortable enough. That decision hadn’t even been up for debate. Savannah’s peace of mind was priceless. The room was dim, lit only by the faint glow of the city bleeding through the curtains. Savannah lay on her side, her back to the door, one hand tucked beneath her cheek. For a moment, I just stood there, watching her breathe, letting the sight of her calm my racing thoughts. I closed the door softly behind me and crossed the room, lowering myself onto the edge of the bed. My elbows rested on my knees as I dropped my face into my palms. Cameras. Serena. Randall. My father. The puzzle pieces were there. They always were. What was missing was proof—and the bastard holding it would rather burn the whole house down than let me have it. “I’m sorry.” I looked up sharply. Savannah was sitting up, the sheet pooled around her waist. Her hair was a mess of dark waves, sleep-tangled and wild, and despite everything clawing at my mind, the sight of her still knocked the air out of my lungs. “You’re awake,” I whispered. She nodded, offering me a small, tired smile. “Yeah. I woke up and you weren’t here. And I’m… sticky. I can’t sleep like that. I need a bath.” I ran a hand down my face. “I’m sorry if I woke you. I tried to be quiet, but—” “I’m sorry,” she said softly, cutting me off. I blinked. “What?” She shifted closer to me, her movements slow, careful. “About earlier. In the car. I… shouldn’t have exploded like that. I shouldn’t have said those things or asked you to do the impossible.” Her voice wavered. “That wasn’t fair to you. I was overwhelmed and emotional and—yeah, I know it’s the baby, but that doesn’t excuse it.” “Hey,” I murmured, reaching out to cup her cheek. Her skin was warm beneath my palm. “It’s okay. It really is. None of that was your fault.” She studied my face, searching for something. “You’re not mad?” I shook my head. “I was never mad, Sav. Not for a second.” A faint smile tugged at my mouth. “Anyone in your position would be frustrated. You’re allowed to feel what you feel.” She let out a shaky breath. “That's a relief. I was scared you were angry with me.”I leaned in and pressed my forehead to hers. “Never.” Her lips curved into a small smile. “Do you want to help me with the bath?” The look she gave me then—soft, coy, vulnerable—made something tighten in my chest. I chuckled quietly. “Alright. Come on.” ~~~~ The bathroom filled with steam as I helped her into the tub, warm water sloshing gently around her legs. She folded in on herself, arms wrapped around her knees, and I sat on the edge beside her, squeezing shampoo into my palm. I took the moment—the quiet, the privacy—to tell her everything. Serena Matthews. My father’s involvement. Rhys. And Randall. “So your… unpleasant sibling is in charge of the cameras,” Savannah said slowly. “Mm-hmm.” I worked the shampoo into her hair. “And I’d stake everything on the fact that he deleted it. He’s Father’s lapdog. Always has been.” My jaw tightened. “Randall’s an introverted narcissist who lives for validation. He thinks if he’s cruel enough, heartless enough, one day our father will finally look at him like he matters.” Savannah frowned. “That’s sad.” “It’s pathetic,” I corrected, rinsing the soap from her hair. “And dangerous.” “And you had no idea? That he was watching the cameras?” She asked. “Was it before or after you left home?” “I don't know. I didn't pay attention to that. Didn't even cross my mind.” I answered. “Heck, Reese didn't even know that Randall was in charge. And Reese just left the Manor recently. So I guess it's safe to say that none of us gives two shits about the cameras. Until now.” She was quiet for a moment. Then she said gently, “Don’t spiral tonight. We’ll take this one step at a time. Tomorrow, we will go to New Hope. You said that already.” She paused. “I’ll text Alyssa and ask her to find a way to keep Uncle Jace there until we arrive. He's visiting mom at the hospital.” She stopped short, her eyes widening slightly. “Shit. I haven’t even told Alyssa or Mom that I’m pregnant.” I stilled. “Do you want to?” “I… yes. I do.” Her voice dropped. “Especially Alyssa. But I don’t want Julius to know. Not yet. If he finds out, he might tell your father. And I don’t trust either of them not to try and hurt me.” I nodded immediately. “You’re right.” She exhaled, tension easing from her shoulders as I rinsed the last of the shampoo away and washed her body. “But I don’t want to hurt Alyssa’s feelings. When she got pregnant, I was the first person she told. I’ve already kept this from her for a while now.” I smiled. “Then tell her. Just make it clear that Julius can’t know. That’s your boundary.” She turned to look at me and nodded comically. “Yes, boss.” Then burst out laughing. I wrapped her in towels and carried her back to the bedroom, settling her gently onto the bed. She kissed my cheek before reaching for her phone. “Thank you,” she murmured. “I’ll call her now.” I headed back to the bathroom to drain the tub and shower, giving her privacy. Even with the water running, I heard Savannah’s voice drift through the door mid-call. “Alyssa… I’m pregnant.” There was a beat of silence. Then— “Oh my God! Are you kidding me?!” The scream was loud enough that I laughed quietly to myself.“You’re having a baby?!” Alyssa shrieked. “So we were right after all! I'm so happy for you, Sav!” “Shh,” Savannah hissed, though I could hear the smile in her voice. “Keep your voice down, Alyssa.” ~~~ I finished my shower, drying off before stepping back into the room. Savannah was sitting on the bed, phone in her lap, her expression soft but distant. “She sounded excited,” I said. “She almost ruptured my eardrum,” Savannah replied with a small laugh. “Then she cried. Apparently she's emotional because Emily’s finally going to have someone to play with.” That image warmed something deep in my chest. “She also said Mom’s going home tomorrow,” Savannah continued. “The doctor cleared her to spend some time out of the hospital before her next round of chemo.” My smile faded. “That’s… good?” Savannah swallowed. “She wants to be home. She doesn’t want to… die in a hospital bed.” The words landed like a blow.“I’m sorry, Sav.” She wiped her eyes. “It’s okay.” She took a steadying breath. “Uncle Jace is helping her move. Julius will be there too.” I stiffened. She looked up at me, eyes sharp despite the tears. “Roman, everyone will be there tomorrow. Mom. Uncle Jace. Julius.” I nodded slowly, a familiar, dangerous calm settling over me. “You’re right,” I said. “Tomorrow’s our chance.” She lay back against the pillows, exhaustion finally catching up to her. I stayed awake long after her breathing evened out, staring into the dark. New Hope. My mother-in-law. Jace. Julius. And somewhere in the background, the shadow of my father and Randall, pulling strings behind the scenes. Every dangerous piece of this puzzle would be in one place. And as I finally closed my eyes, one thought burned clear and sharp in my mind. Tomorrow, I wouldn’t play fair.