Act Like You Love Me (Jessica) novel Chapter 227

Chapter 227

The music shifted with a sudden, jarring transition, and I was spun out of Aaron’s steady grip.

I expected to feel David’s hands return to my waist, but instead, I landed against a chest that felt like stone I looked up and my heart plummeted.

It was Eric.

His eyes were narrow, gleaming with a predatory light behind his mask.

He pulled me far too close, his grip bruising my arm as he forced me into the steps of the dance.

I forced a polite smile, but inside my stomach twisted. Every inch of me wanted to step away.

“You look stunning tonight,” he murmured, his breath warm against my ear. “Green really suits you. Makes you stand out in all the right ways.”

I kept my voice steady. “Thank you.”

He twirled me slowly, his hand sliding lower on my back. “You know, I’ve been watching you these past few days. You seem… troubled. Almost like you’re waiting for something bad to happen.”

I could perceive the sour, metallic scent of his breath-it felt like breathing in pure malice. To my right, I saw David had been intercepted by Julie; she was clinging to him, her eyes locked on his with a desperate, terrifying hunger.

‘You shouldn’t be. Tonight is a celebration. A grand finale, you might say.” Eric murmured, calm enough to fool anyone who didn’t know better.

Why do you even hate your own family this much?” I hissed, trying to pull back, but he only tightened his hold.

You’re vile. You’re willing to kill everyone on this ship just to settle a score?”

Eric chuckled, a dry sound that made my skin crawl.

‘I’m whatever you need me to be, darling. But you? You’re the one I pity. You should’ve stayed with your ex… what was his name-Kyle?”

His mouth curved faintly.

‘If you’d stayed with him, you’d be tucked away in that small, predictable life… instead of walking straight into this.”

I froze My feet stopped moving, nearly causing a collision with another couple. The name felt like a bucket of ice water poured over my head.

How The words dried in my throat. Nobody knew about Kyle. Not the Tyrones, not the media. It was a chapter of my life I had buried so deep even a federal investigation wouldn’t have found it

I’ll see you in hell. Daphne, he whispered against my ear.

He released me so abruptly I nearly stumbled.

By the time I regained my balance, he had vanished into the sea of masked dancers

I stood there. paralyzed, the music and laughter turning into a dull, senseless drone

15

A cold suffocating consciousness settled over me.

I looked around for David, but he was gone too. Julie was still in the middle of the floor, standing perfectly still, her mask discarded

She was glaring at me with an expression so hateful it pierced into my soul. But didn’t care about that.

I had to get out. I had to find David. I needed to tell him what Eric had just said. Something told me Eric, Julie, and Lauren weren’t the only ones involved. They had more allies on this ship than we realized.

I turned and hurried toward the exit, my heart hammering against my ribs. My heels were catching on the plush carpet, lowing me down, so I stopped in the foyer, ripped them off, and held them.

I ran toward our villa, my bare feet silent on the cold floors.

‘Davi-“I called the moment I pushed the door open, but the room was empty. I checked the bathroom, the closet, even the balcony. Nothing.

The fear that had been simmering inside me flared into full panic.

I thought about calling him, but my phone was still sitting on the table I had left it on before the dance.

‘Fuck!” I cursed, the word swallowed by the large, empty room.

I turned to run back out, but before I could reach the entrance, I heard a heavy thud. The sound of a deadbolt sliding into place. I threw myself against the door, pulling the handle, but it wouldn’t budge.

It was locked from the outside.

‘Let me out!” I banged on the door with both fists. “Who’s there? Open the door!”

For a moment there was only silence. Then a familiar voice drifted through the wood, calm and cruel.

‘You’re not going anywhere, Daphne.”

It was Julie. Her voice was muffled by the door, but the triumph in it was unmistakable.

Julie, open this door right now! This is insane!”

“What’s insane is thinking you belonged here,” she spat.

“You’re going to stay right there and die with the rest of them. There are bombs planted in every hallway, every deck. I made sure of it. David will survive, of course. The rest of you… not so much. Your precious Tyrone family destroyed mine They sucked up all our wealth, destroyed my sister, and then they killed her. And when I finally thought I had found peace. when David came into my life, you appeared out of nowhere and stole him from me.”

I kept banging on the door, my fists aching.

Julie, don’t be unreasonable. Even if you kill me, David is never going to look your way, he will hate you until his last breath You know that.”

The words seemed to aggravate her Her voice sharpened.

“Shut up! You don’t know what you’re talking about David is just blinded and distracted because you’re here I wonder what he even sees in you. You’re not beautiful I’m far more beautiful than you could ever be I’m the one who should be by his

side!”

25

Chapies 227

Ishidn’t care about her insults My mind was racing. looking for a way out, when I heard

Is she secured” Lauren asked.

“She’s in there, Julie replied.

second voice. Lauren

Lauren, please!” I begged, pressing my face to the door. “Think about what you’re doing. There are thousands of people on this ship!”

Lauren’s chuckle was dark and chilling.

“I thought about it on Aaron and my wedding day, Daphne. When he exposed my family and turned my life into a ruin. Every single Tyrone is going to pay. And you? You should have done your research before you tried to play at being a queen. In less than fifteen minutes, this ship goes boom. I’ll see all of you in hell or heaven-whichever one God decides to throw us in. I’ll happily welcome it, as long as the Tyrones are going with me.”

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