Chapter 79: "Have you ever considered that Scarlett might be hiding something from you, Roman?"

Roman's pov

I wake up to the feeling of small fingers linked with mine.

I know it’s Scarlett’s without having to look.

My head feels foggy and my eyes are bleary with the haze of a just-ended slumber, but I feel her. I know it’s her.

My body aches, but it’s a dull ache. There’s no sharp pain when I breathe and my heart beats, fierce and strong as it always has.

I turn my head to the side and a strange feeling lashes through me.

It’s Scarlett, asleep, fingers linked with mine as they rest on the floor. The same floor she rests on.

“Good to see you’re awake.”

My ears twitch and my breath hitches. My eyes travel to the seat at the far end of my office beside the entrance and icy blue eyes lock onto mine.

My voice is croaky when it comes out but I speak all the same.

“Father?”

My father nods and gets up from his seat. He’s grown more rested in the few weeks he’s spent away. The strain underneath his eyebrows doesn’t quite stand out the way it used to.

My father is in a beach shirt and s