Chapter 228 Surprise, Surprise, Sister Savannah “Chloe!” The word tore out of my mother’s mouth like a prayer ripped straight from her chest. For a second, no one moved. Then Mom surged forward as if something inside her had finally snapped into place, as if the ghost she’d been mourning for months had suddenly grown flesh and bone right in front of her. Her hands were everywhere—grabbing Chloe’s shoulders, her arms, turning her this way and that, fingers threading through her hair, skimming down her sides like she was afraid Chloe might vanish if she didn’t keep touching her. “Is this really you?” Mom whispered, voice breaking. “Oh my God… is this really you?” I looked away briefly. Yes, Mom. That's your daughter right there. The precious daughter who ruined us all. I stayed where I was, rooted beside Roman, watching the scene with a hollow ache blooming behind my ribs. Chloe stood there stiffly, allowing herself to be inspected like a fragile artifact returned from the dead. She didn’t hug Mom back. Didn’t melt. Didn’t cry. She didn't seem to even be present. Mom’s eyes finally landed on the thick bandage wrapped around Chloe’s hand. Her breath hitched. “What happened to you, honey?” She cradled Chloe’s hand gently. “Who did this? Was it Dean? Was he the one who took you?” Chloe yanked her hand back, irritation flashing across her face before she smoothed it away. “It wasn’t Dean, Mom. I’m fine.” Mom didn’t hear her. She was already spiraling, hands fluttering anxiously. “Your hand… and your face, you look so thin—” Then her gaze dropped. Slowly, carefully, Mom placed her palm against Chloe’s stomach. I felt my spine stiffen. “What about your baby?” Mom asked softly, fear creeping into her voice. “Is the baby okay? Are you taking your medication? You need vitamins, Chloe, you need—”“I’m not pregnant,” Chloe snapped. The whole place went still. “Not anymore,” Chloe added coldly. “It's gone now.” Mom stumbled back like she’d been slapped. Her hand flew to her mouth, eyes wide with horror, tears pooling instantly. “Why?” she whispered. “Why would you—Chloe, didn’t you love Dean? Why would you make a decision like that without even talking to him?” Chloe rolled her eyes, exasperated. “You still don’t get it, Mom. I never loved Dean. We were never a thing. And he made it very clear at the wedding that the child wasn’t his.” She looked around, her eyes sharp and calculating. Searching. “Where’s dad?” No one answered. The silence stretched until it turned suffocating. Mom followed Chloe’s gaze, confusion twisting into dread. Then she noticed Paula for the first time—standing stiffly by the side, an armed man standing behind her with his hand resting casually on his gun. Another guard stood behind Chloe, equally alert, equally unmoving. Roman’s men.My mother’s eyes flicked to Roman, panic blooming. “Roman… what is going on?” She pointed shakily at Paula. “And who is that woman?” I stepped forward before anyone else could speak. “Why don’t we let Uncle Jace answer that?” I said, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. Jace’s face drained of color. “S-Savannah,” he said tightly. “Let’s go inside. We’re outside.” “We already are inside,” I replied coolly. He avoided my eyes and turned toward Paula. “Come inside.” “Jace,” Mom pressed, voice trembling. “Who is she?” Jace straightened, his jaw hardening like he was bracing for impact. “That’s Paula,” he said. “My adopted daughter.” The gasp that left my mouth was loud enough to echo. “What?” I stared at him. “What did you just say?” I turned to Paula, my heart pounding violently. “You knew?” I demanded. “You knew all along and didn’t tell me? You didn’t tell any of us?” I referred to Roman and I. Paula lifted one shoulder in a lazy half-shrug, lips curving slightly. “Surprise, surprise, sister.” My mind reeled. Cole had run a background check on her. A thorough one. How could this have slipped through? How could my own biological father have adopted a grown woman and none of us knew? Chloe burst into laughter, sharp and delighted, like she was watching her favorite show. Alyssa looked horrified. “Uncle Jace… what are you saying?” Mom stood frozen, her world visibly cracking apart piece by piece. “Yes,” Jace said, his voice flat. “I adopted her after she lost her father. She was an adult. It was… mutually agreed upon.” Roman cleared his throat, surveying the driveway. “I think it’s time we continued this conversation in the living room,” he said calmly. “And where is Julius?” Mom swallowed. “He’s in his study.” ~~~~The living room felt smaller than I remembered. Roman sat beside me on the couch, one arm resting casually along the backrest like he owned the entire house—and maybe he did now. Mom sat stiffly beside Chloe, her eyes never leaving her face, like she was afraid blinking might make Chloe disappear again. Two of Roman’s men stood guard—one behind Chloe, one behind Paula. Both armed. Both silent. Both watching for any sudden move. As if they were guarding prisoners. Alyssa descended the stairs slowly, her face pale. “I told Emily to go play with her toys,” she murmured. “I said the adults needed to talk.” I nodded. “Good.” “Chloe?” I froze. That voice. Julius stepped into the room like a force of nature, eyes wide, breath unsteady. “Chloe… is that really you?” “Yes, Daddy,” Chloe said brightly, suddenly animated. “It’s me.” Even now. Even after everything, he never thought twice about showing who his favorite was. He rushed toward her, hands grabbing her shoulders, turning her, inspecting her just like Mom had. “Who hurt you?” he demanded, rage rising. “Who dared lay a finger on you?” “I did,” Roman said smoothly. “I shot her.” Mom gasped. Julius’s face contorted with fury. He stormed toward Roman and grabbed him by the collar. “You shot my daughter?!” I jumped up, pushing weakly at Julius’s arm. “Let go of him!” Roman laughed. A low, mocking sound. “Hurts, doesn’t it?” “Answer me!” Julius roared. “Dad, stop it!” Alyssa screamed. Julius raised his fist. That was his mistake. Roman moved faster than I could blink. He shoved Julius with brutal force, sending him crashing to the floor, sliding across the polished wood. “Dad!” Chloe screamed, finally sounding afraid. “Don’t ever touch me again,” Roman said coldly.Julius scrambled to his feet, shaken. Then his eyes landed on Paula. And he went very still. Uncle Jace watched him, silent, tense, as recognition dawned. “Jace…” Julius whispered. “Am I hallucinating… or is Rubio’s daughter actually sitting on my goddamn sofa?”