Chapter 101:Protective Claims

(Roman's POV) The sunlight filtered through the grand windows of the seaside mansion, casting a golden hue over the breakfast table. But my attention wasn’t on the view, nor the morning light—it was on Scarlett. She sat by the table with her untouched plate of food, her fork stabbing at it half-heartedly. Her emerald eyes were narrowed in frustration as if the contents of the plate had personally offended her. I tilted my head slightly, my icy blue gaze narrowing. Her shoulders seemed tense, and I could sense her irritation. My chest tightened—any discomfort she felt was unacceptable. "Scarlett," I said, my voice low but firm. "What’s wrong?" She glanced up briefly, her auburn curls brushing her cheek, but she quickly dropped her gaze back to the plate. "Nothing," she muttered, her tone curt. I wasn’t convinced. "That doesn’t look like nothing," I pressed, crossing my arms as I leaned slightly closer. She sighed heavily and set her fork down with a sharp clink against the plate