Fractured ego


(JARED'S POV)

I stood there, my heart pounding, my mind filled with chaotic thoughts. No, this didn't feel right.

My heart sank at Sofia's words, but my instinct told me that her face the way she was acting, like she had some big revelation-felt off. I'd dealt with her enough to know when she was up to something, and right now, I could feel she was hiding something. But she spoke so confidently about Dwayne entering the room, as if it was crystal clear in her mind. Could there be any truth to what she said?

Was it possible that Sofia's statement was not completely groundless?

The thought made me pause, a flicker of doubt creeping in.

If Sofia is really deliberately making trouble, why did she link Dwayne and Arielle together? Could something really happen between them?

The image of Arielle and Dwayne together flashed in my mind, and I had to shake it away. No, I couldn't let panic cloud my judgment. This was Sofia's usual play-spinning webs of confusion to manipulate others for her own gain.

Right now, the only thing that mattered was protecting Arielle. I couldn't let my emotions get tangled up in this mess. Whatever Sofia was plotting, I had to deal with it on my terms. I had to see this through myself, without dragging others into it. I couldn't trust Sofia.

I turned to her sharply, my gaze cold. Whatever she thought she was doing, it was over now.

"Get out," I said, my voice firm, determined. I couldn't let her spread her lies any further.

But she wouldn't back down. "I want the crew to go in and search now-" she started, but before she could finish, the door swung open, and there she was.

Arielle.

She stood, eyes drowsy and hair disheveled like one who had just been woken up from a long nap.

"What's going on? Can't one sleep in peace again?" She asked, looking around at the crowd of people outside her door.

taken aback, and I couldn't help

a tight smile. "Excuse me, Miss Meyers. I saw someone who took my things come in here earlier.

an eyebrow. "This is my room. I'm sure no one's been in here. You're trespassing now. Don't you need evidence or a search

a sharp edge to her tone. Then her eyes narrowed as they locked onto

only widened. That confirmation in her expression sent a cold

said, voice firm,

I consider you a friend. You can't be so stingy that you won't let me search

hand on mine before I spoke again, her smiling softly. Her voice was smooth as she said, "Fine, go ahead. Bring your helper." Sofia sneered, "I'll do just

but impeccably neat. Nothing was out of place, nothing hidden. Sofia's face slowly drained of color as she scoured every inch of the room and the lavatory, her movements growing

smile icy, sharper than I'd

crowd had thinned, leaving only a few lingering, including Ashley, who stepped up to Arielle and took her

however, was relentless. "But... I saw Dwayne come in earlier," she insisted, her eyes darting around the room, scanning for any sign of him. The cabin was too small for people to hide, and even if Dwayne had been

and I couldn't help but step closer to her, my own concern rising. "Are you okay?" I asked, keeping

look, her eyes hard. "For the last time, I never want to see

on the room, suddenly pointed toward the porthole. "He might've jumped into the sea through the window! You can never trust a thief," she

stay composed. She was clearly unraveling, and it was obvious no

to keep my patience. "Sofia," I said, my voice low but cutting. "One last time: Get out,

crumpled with fake hurt, but I wasn't interested in her

boarding the boat. I opened my mouth to speak, but stopped when I felt her trembling against me. My frown deepened as I instinctively reached for her hand, only to

a moment, my mind went blank. "Was Dwayne really here just now?" I whispered, feeling

her expression

then asked, "So... he really jumped

long, exasperated sound. "He climbed out the window. He's probably enjoying the breeze on the deck by

an eyebrow, unsure whether to believe her. So...

smoothly on the deck, right in front of Sofia, who was still ranting, her mouth agape. Her eyes widened in shock, and she staggered back, her face

once again. "So I was right!

"Sorry you didn't catch me for your twisted little drama," he said

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