Chapter 6: This Time, I Choose You

Wedding day.

The mansion looked like something out of a dream.

White roses everywhere.

Golden lights.

Perfect decorations.

Perfect guests.

Perfect illusion.

I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my dress.

Emerald green.

Of course.

Chloe's choice.

But somehow…

today, it felt like mine.

Not because of the dress.

But because of the person I had become in it.

Strong.

Unbreakable.

Done with the past.

A soft knock came from the door.

Come in.

Roman walked in.

And everything else faded.

Black suit.

Sharp.

Confident.

But his eyes…

soft when they looked at me.

You look…

He stopped.

Dangerous, he finished.

I smiled slightly.

Good.

That means I'm doing it right.

He stepped closer.

Nervous?

No.

That's new.

Yeah.

Because for the first time…

I wasn't afraid of losing something.

I had already lost it.

And survived.

Roman studied me carefully.

You sure about this?

Very.

No running?

Not anymore.

He nodded.

Good.

Because I'm not letting you run this time.

My heart reacted instantly.

Then let's not waste time, I said.

Let's finish this.

Together.

Always.

The ceremony started.

Music played.

Guests settled.

Chloe walked down the aisle like she owned the world.

Beautiful.

Perfect.

Winning.

Dean stood at the altar.

Waiting.

But not calm.

Not confident.

Not happy.

His eyes searched the crowd.

Until they found me.

Of course they did.

This time…

I didn't look away.

But I didn't stay either.

I turned.

And looked at Roman.

Exactly like he told me to.

And just like that…

Dean lost.

The ceremony continued.

Vows.

Promises.

Forever.

Words that used to mean everything.

Now…

they meant nothing.

Because I finally understood something.

Love isn't words.

Love is presence.

Consistency.

Staying.

And Roman had done that…

every single time.

I didn't realize the ceremony was over until people started clapping.

Chloe smiled.

Victorious.

Dean… didn't.

The reception began.

Music.

Drinks.

Dancing.

And tension.

Because it wasn't over.

Not yet.

Savannah.

I turned.

Dean.

Again.

Last time, I said calmly.

He stepped closer.

I need to say this.

You had your chance.

I messed up.

Yes, you did.

I was scared.

You were selfish.

I thought you'd wait.

That made me laugh.

You thought wrong.

His eyes softened.

I never stopped loving you.

Too late.

Savannah—

No.

I stepped back.

Not angry.

Not emotional.

Just… done.

You don't get to come back now.

You don't get to rewrite what you broke.

You made your choice.

And now…

I'm making mine.

I turned away.

And walked straight to Roman.

No hesitation.

No fear.

Just certainty.

He saw it immediately.

That shift.

That decision.

It's over, I said.

Yeah?

Yeah.

And?

And I'm done pretending.

His expression changed.

Softer.

Hopeful.

Dangerous.

Are you sure?

This time…

I didn't hesitate.

I reached for him.

Pulled him closer.

And kissed him.

Not fake.

Not for show.

Not for anyone else.

Just for us.

His hand wrapped around my waist instantly.

Pulling me closer.

Holding me like I belonged there.

Like I always had.

The world blurred.

Noise faded.

Nothing mattered.

Except this.

Except him.

When we pulled apart…

I smiled.

Real.

Finally real.

No more fake fiancé, I said softly.

His lips curved.

Good.

Because I was getting tired of pretending.

So what are we now?

I looked at him.

Not my best friend.

Not my safety net.

Something more.

Something real.

Your turn, I said.

He understood immediately.

Roman took a step back.

Then—

in front of everyone—

he got down on one knee.

Gasps filled the room.

Chloe froze.

Dean looked like he'd been hit.

And me?

I smiled.

Because this time…

I knew.

Savannah Hart, he said, voice steady.

No scripts.

No fake story.

Just truth.

I've loved you longer than I should have stayed silent.

Longer than I should have waited.

But not longer than I want to spend with you.

So this time…

no pretending.

No acting.

No fear.

Just us.

Will you marry me?

My answer came instantly.

Yes.

Applause erupted.

Cheers.

Shock.

Everything.

But none of it mattered.

Because for the first time in years…

I wasn't choosing pain.

I wasn't choosing the past.

I wasn't choosing what broke me.

I was choosing…

him.

Roman.

And maybe…

for the first time ever…

I chose right.