Chapter 8 - The Man Who Took the Bullet for Me
Roman was alive.
The bullet had struck his side.
But blood covered his shirt.
Victor tackled Sophia.
Police stormed the building.
Sophia was arrested.
Lily ran to Roman.
“Uncle Roman!”
He smiled weakly.
“I'm okay.”
“You're bleeding!”
“I've had worse.”
“You're lying.”
He laughed.
Then collapsed.
At the hospital, I waited for hours.
When the doctor finally came out, he said Roman would survive.
I cried.
Not because he was alive.
Because I realized how much I loved him.
Victor sat beside me.
“He loves you.”
I looked at him.
“How do you know?”
“Because Roman has never looked at anyone the way he looks at you.”
I smiled through my tears.
“Are you going to disappear again?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because Lily needs me.”
“And Roman?”
Victor smiled.
“Roman needs someone to tell him when he's being an idiot.”
I laughed.
“That sounds like my job.”
“Yes.”
When Roman woke, I was beside him.
He opened his eyes.
“You stayed.”
“Of course.”
“I thought you'd leave.”
“I considered it.”
He winced.
“Fair.”
“But I didn't.”
His eyes filled with relief.
I leaned forward.
“Don't ever lie to me again.”
“I won't.”
“Don't try to protect me by making decisions for me.”
“I won't.”
“Don't fake-date me.”
He smiled.
“Can I real-date you?”
May you like
I kissed him.
“Yes.”
